With all the gambling games run by the state one would think that the state would run out of suckers-er players. Now the politicians have come up with other forms of gambling such as computer betting and sports betting. It may be an easy way to raise money. But on the downside in raising false hopes in people. For every winner there are hundreds, if not thousands of losers. Gambling is not a harmless way to raise money! Atlantic City Casinos are now crying the blues because of the sharp decline in revenues because of the increased competition in other states and the state lottery.
Atlantic City was a much more pleasant place to visit before this present decline. Riding by bus with a convivial local group was a break from the daily routine. It cost nothing for the ride. Eats and drinks were readily available from restaurants or the hotdog peddler. None of us were big winners or losers. In summer the beach and waters were great! This is one of the few beaches in New Jersey without a fee. As far as gambling goes we only played what we could afford to lose. And believe it or not gambling got to be boring! A big contrast to my first trip in 1940 with the Carteret newsboys when we were present for the Miss America Beauty Contest. Wow! A.C. did not need gambling to be a top notch seaside resort!
I learned my lesson when we stopped over at Hickam Field, Hawaii before heading south to the combat areas. I was tempted to risk my money at the crap games at the service club. Before I knew it I was broke! It was humiliating to borrow money for beer, cigars or candy. Room and board were provided by the Air Corps. From that time I only gambled with what I could afford to lose. The bottom line is to always keep an ace in the hole. By the way, I met my first local friend there named Walter Pryga. He came on one of our training flights to Hilo where we feasted on fine steaks. He later became a lawyer in Rahway. Water and I were classmates at Middlesex Junior College before we joined the military service.
Thank you for your courtesies Very truly yours,
-Peter Book a.k.a. Pedro Libro
