I have won a million pounds but only in my dreams. The odds are high and the money I spend on tickets is worth it for a few moments wondering: If I were to win, how fast would I quit my job? Where would my big house with a swimming pool be? And what countries would I visit?
Here in Britain, a bet bought me more than a few hours of day dreaming. It happened when I bet on a horse taking part in the Grand National. This race, which started in the 1830s, takes place every spring. Many people get involved. Even people like me, whose knowledge of horses doesn't go further than knowing they are big and have four legs.
I went into a betting shop in London with a friend and we chose a horse from a list. They had funny names like 'Rare Bob' and 'On His Own'. For the same price as a light lunch, we pinned our hopes on a horse and joined a group of punters by a big TV. We watched the race with them and cheered together - gamblers united! But Lady Luck was nowhere to be seen. Our horse came in third place.
The voice of reason says: Never bet what you can't afford to lose. Some people are addicted to gambling and while casinos are big business in some countries, they are banned in others.
Betting shops have their place in the streets of Britain as much as pubs and tea houses, but in some areas there are new ones appearing every day. Gambling companies want to profit from electronic terminals for fruit machines and roulette.
The authorities in Newham and Haringey in London have been trying to control the number of shops, especially in poorer areas with high levels of unemployment.
I hold on to the money in my pocket. Life is already too much of a gamble.
Quiz 測驗 1. What does the author want to do if he wins the lottery?
Quit his job, buy a big house and visit other countries.
2. When was the Grand National created?
In the 1830s.
3. Is the statement true or false? Many betting shops are closing in Britain because unemployed people have no money to bet.
False. New ones are opening because they want to profit from electronic terminals.
4. What are the authorities concerned about?
The opening of new betting shops in areas where people have little money. Some people are addicted to gambling.
5. Which expression means 'whatever you want in life you have to go and get it'?
You make your own luck.
Glossary 词汇表 a punt賭博 to make (your) own luck自己創造運氣 the odds（投注）賠率，機率 wondering思考，猜想 a bet賭注 to day dream白日做夢 to take part in (something)參加（比賽） a betting shop彩票銷售點 to pin (our) hopes把（我們的）希望寄托在…上 a punter賭馬者 a gambler賭徒 addicted上癮的 gambling賭博 a casino賭場 to ban禁止 to profit賺錢 an electronic terminal電子終端 a fruit machine老虎機 roulette輪盤賭 to gamble冒險，賭博（名詞）
