I learned a very valuable lesson after my first experience at a casino.

It was 1997, and I found myself swept up in the bright lights and alluring sounds at the Hull Casino.

With $50 in my pocket, and expectations of glorious payouts, I found out the hard way how quickly one can lose their hard earned money with a couple pushes of the button, or pulls of the handle.

In less than 20 minutes, my money was gone. And I was mad.

For a brief moment, I contemplated heading over to the ATM to take out some more cash.

Instead, I made the wise choice and walked out the door.

During the one-hour drive home, I couldn't stop stewing about the fact I lost $50. It took me two days to let go of the anger over my loss. I felt stupid for wasting $50.

And I knew at that moment, I would never be a big gambler. If you can't handle losing, then don't take the risk. To lose perspective, and dig yourself deeper in the addiction of gambling, is to invite a new world of hurt I've only heard about.

Commercials and movies tend to glamorize gambling, and often leave people with the impression that everyone wins at the casino. For a select few, casinos are sexy and exciting. For the rest, casinos are ugly and devastating.

England recently announced new gambling advertising rules that should be considered in this country. The main rule is that ads must not suggest gambling as a solution to financial concerns. That would pretty much rule out all the ads currently on Canadian television.

Since that first humbling experience at a casino, I've only ventured back into the palaces of chance a few times. Each time, I set my limit at $50 and once it's gone, it's over. I've never come away from these experiences in the black, and I can't say I know many people who profit more than lose from gambling ventures.

Yet despite the fact gambling destroys people's lives, our government turns a blind eye and pumps the revenue into its veins like a junky in some back alley.

Governments across North America are addicted to gambling revenue. It makes me sick.

It's hard to travel more than 100 kilometres in Ontario without seeing a sign pointing to a casino or race track loaded with slot machines.

With packed parking lots at all times of the day and night, it's clear to me that many people are hooked on the drug of gambling, and gather at these establishments to get their government-controlled fix.

Who are these people?

Are they like me; spending their $50 limit once a year and hoping for the big score?

Or are they spending hard-earned savings to fuel their addiction, and leaving families in financial ruin?

On a typical slot machine, the chance of hitting the jackpot is about 1 in 270,000. The odds don't change the more times you pull the handle.

Odds are different depending on the game, but at the end of the day, casinos are in business to make, not lose, money.

And they make lots, thanks to gambling addicts.

March is Problem Gambling Prevention Month.

Consider these statistics provided by the Responsible Gambling Council.

60 per cent of Ontarians gamble in one form or another.

• ticket lotteries are the most popular form of gambling. Casinos and slot machines account for about 23 per cent of gambling activities.

• One in 10 people report being affected negatively by someone else's gambling.

• internet gambling is on a frightening rise, especially among young adults.

There are alternatives to satisfy the desire to play the odds. It may not be very lucrative, but it's still fun. I have discovered the exciting world of fantasy gambling. Whether it's Texas Hold'Em on my Blackberry, or Sports Betting on Facebook, it's fun to play with imaginary chips and money.

I'm up in all my fantasy gambling ventures. In Texas Hold'Em alone I've earned over $100 million.

Is this the gateway to real gambling? Everything comes down to self control and strength of character. I learned my lesson many years ago, and I realized I would never be a successful gambler because I'm a poor loser.