GAMBLING 101: The no-credit college course

Pool, tonk, spades or hearts games are seen throughout the game room located in the Southern University student union, as a student enters its doors.
“I come to the Union to play everything from cards to dominoes for relaxation,” said Lamar Smith, a freshman from New Roads, as he slammed a set of dominoes on the table.
While most students participate in the games for fun, others feel that they have to take it to the next level and play for money.
Dozens of students on Southern University’s Campus participate in the illegal practice of gambling
The Southern University Student Code of Conduct, states, on pages 17 through 19, that gambling of any form or at any time is against Southern University school policy. Gambling is considered a “Code Three Offense.”
A student found guilty of a code three offense may be subject to the “maximum sanction of disciplinary suspension”. The student may lose his housing, be suspended or disbarred from the university.
Students say they just play for fun, but still there are others who play for more than just fun.
“Gambling for some students is their life,” said Clifford Young Southern graduate, summer 2001.
“Majority of the students who gamble in the union, either work or have worked in casinos…for instance, I used to work at the casino, and I know the game of cards. Trust me the union is no casino even though a good bit of money is sometimes lost,” Young, said.
The activities in the game room attract both male and female students and non-students. Many go to the Union between classes and even skip classes to get their hands on one of the “jackpots” in the SU Union.
Students are often unaware of the habit they could be forming in their lives.
According to U. S. Census statistics, people between the ages of 18-24 exhibit the most serious form of disordered gambling. Roughly, two to three times higher than that of the rest of the adult population.
Eight to 20 percent of college students have dealt with a gambling problem.