I lived in Myrtle Beach during the Video Poker era. I believe
the law stated 5 machines per room, not three. And it wasnt just
poker, it was video keno, slots, blackjack, there were even a
few video craps machines. Every business had these machines from
conveniance stores, to bars to bowling alleys. In less then a
year it went from absolutly no gambling in SC to machines everywhere
you went. Then the mini casinos popped up everywhere. It was amazing
how fast this happened.
Unfortunetly during all of this my aunt was diagnosed with terminal
cancer, and her roomate was totally hooked on these machines.
Before my aunt had passed away it was discovered that her roomate
totally wiped her out of her life savings by robbing her and losing
over a quarter million in less then a year.
I know this has nothing to do with jai alai, but I really loved
my aunt, she was my best friend my whole life and I miss her dearly.
That was a sad day when I heard she lost her battle, and just
as sad of a day when I learned the 100k she left for me had already
been stolen and gambled away.
