Targeted by the Oregon Lottery
I have gambled for 21 years of my adulthood. I gambled for the first time legally on my 21st birthday in a casino. Gambling always had me. The lure of the big win. The lure of easy street. Immature thinking of escaping reality. This was someday going to be my career. It was 21 years of devastation, chaos, and progressive self deconstruction. I am currently seven months clean from gambling.
I also wanted to share one of Oregon’s new marketing programs. It speaks as to how gambling had me and how my state is trying to recruit more people to replace me – to destroy their lives just for the sake of making money!
The latest Oregon Lottery ad uses music by the Portland band Sally Ford & the Sound. It is a very cool, young eclectic local band being used by the state in its promotions to encourage gambling. However, the agency that gets paid thousands of dollars to create these ads didn’t bother to pay attention to the fact that the title of the song they play is “Danger” and contains the following lyrics:
You make me want more
You are such a mystery
When you are next to me, you drive me crazy
You had me since the minute you strolled in
And even though you’re cold
You make me want more:
I know you could be a danger
That speaks to my relationship with gambling completely. Thanks for the truth in advertising, Oregon Lottery Commission.
Thank you for letting me share a little of my story and thoughts today. Better days to all of us problem gamblers and all our loved ones who were surely affected by our addiction.
-Marc, Oregon