World

As Gambling Rises in Prominence, So Too Do Addiction Rates

Published

5 years ago

July 10, 2019

Risking what you have to gain money fast is as old as money itself. It has been going on for all of human history. People have been betting on anything they could understand for millennia – be it fighting animals, rolling dice, or wondering who could run faster. People seem to have an inherent urge to risk their livelihood, as a high can develop that is just as powerful as any drug when one wins. And if that win is coming off of a string of losses, then it will just feel that much better.

Because of the risks involved with gambling, there have been attempts throughout history to outlaw the practice. These attempts have varied in their rates of success, and many countries which once practiced prohibition of gambling have since reversed their laws. Cases made in favor of gambling have revolved around the concept of personal freedom. People have a right to smoke and damage their lungs, to drink and hurt their hearts, to drive and risk injury – why not to gamble?

Besides the argument of personal freedom, arguments have also been made which stress the value of gambling, not just to the participants, but also to the states endorsing the activity. Countries that have legalized gambling experience staggering windfalls of cash by collecting a large percentage of gambling wins. It’s no secret that if you win the lottery in the United States, you’ll be paying a hefty chunk towards taxes.

It’s easy to wonder if it’s worth it though, considering the consequences of the sport – if you can call it a sport. Regulars at casinos can lose thousands of dollars a year, spending hard-earned money on lining the pockets of casino workers. The case is similar to tobacco and alcohol – it’s a definite addiction. However, the state currently seems to blame the victims of such addictions rather than their suppliers.

The argument for addicts being allowed to gamble is that at least at a state-sponsored casino, you’ll only be placing cash bets, and there is little to no chance of physical harm – unless you pick a fight with the wrong person. Illicit gambling dens and underground venues have been the sites of many violent activities. Acts of jealousy are common, repercussions for unpaid debts, and outright displays of machismo have led gambling dens to be reputed as places worth fearing. At least as long as gambling remains legalized, people can enjoy the comfort of internet gaming and high energy casino music without worrying if there are any new hospital beds available.

Casinos are making an effort to control and treat gambling addictions. Programs like GameSense, which is based in Massachusetts, are rising in prominence and popularity. These programs literally stalk the floors of casinos, keeping an eye out for those that look like they’re in need of help. These troubled souls are referred to programs where their problems might be dealt with by those who are professionally trained to treat addiction. Surprisingly, casino owners are happy to cooperate. Jacqui Krum, of Encore general counsel, says “For those individuals that need help, we want to make sure they get the help. Those are not the customers we want in our building.”

The following video will shed more light on the subject:

World

Meet the Team: The Experts Driving Phoenix Capital Group’s Vision

Published

1 week ago

September 24, 2024

Rosario Farell

A popular saying in business is that behind every successful company stands a skilled and dedicated team of professionals working every day to achieve more. That’s the case at Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC, where experts drive the company’s vision to new heights.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of its exceptional team, Phoenix Capital Group consistently strives to deliver value and high-quality returns to individual landowners and investors in the oil and gas industry.

Here are a few of the experts leading the charge at Phoenix Capital Group.

Adam Ferrari, Chief Executive Officer

Adam Ferrari, the son of co-founders Daniel and Charlene Ferrari, serves as the CEO of Phoenix Capital Group. With nearly 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Adam has been instrumental in leading the company and focusing on key initiatives that drive substantial growth.

Raised in a small farm town in Illinois, Adam learned the values of hard work, grit, and determination from an early age. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in chemical engineering. Starting his career at BP in the Gulf of Mexico, Adam honed his engineering skills before moving through various leadership roles at the company and later transitioning to investment banking at Macquarie Capital.

Adam’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found multiple oil and gas ventures throughout his career. Phoenix Capital Group is the culmination of his diverse experiences and his most significant project to date.

Adam is married to Brynn Ferrari, the CMO of Phoenix Capital Group. They have a young son and hope to expand their family in the future. Outside of work, Adam enjoys spending time with his family, exploring local cuisine with Brynn, and watching USC Trojans football.

Curtis Allen, Chief Financial Officer and Partner

Curtis Allen brings over 10 years of experience in financial services—with a strong emphasis on investment analysis—to his role as CFO and Partner at Phoenix Capital Group. A CPA, Curtis has a broad range of financial experience, from preparing private taxes to auditing billion-dollar defense contractors. He has managed investments for corporate and personal clients for over seven years and holds Series 7 and 66 licenses. He has also passed the CFA Level 1 exam.

At Phoenix Capital Group, Curtis oversees all finance and accounting functions, as well as various day-to-day operational tasks.

A family man, Curtis is married with two children. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities such as playing beach volleyball with his wife and bicycling with his family.

Lindsey Wilson, Chief Operating Officer and Partner

Lindsey Wilson, COO and Partner, brings extensive practical experience to Phoenix Capital Group. She has led various diverse, multidisciplinary teams within the energy sector, and she prides herself on setting and achieving aggressive business goals while ensuring all employee needs are met.

A founding member of Phoenix Capital Group, Lindsey manages and oversees the company’s daily business operations. She works closely with all supervisors and department heads to support the day-to-day activities of all employees.

Lindsey began her career in the oil and gas industry in 2011 as a leasing agent in Fort Worth, Texas. This foundational experience served as a springboard, allowing her to transition into more advanced roles within the mineral and leasehold acquisition space.

Combining her practical oil and gas experience with skills gained in sales, marketing, and underwriting in the hospitality and banking sectors, Lindsey has successfully led Phoenix Capital Group’s multi-functional organization. She holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Lindsey is married with a daughter. She enjoys spending time with her family and training for marathons.

The Entire Team at Phoenix Capital Group Contributes to Its Success

Adam, Curtis, and Lindsey have over 60 years of combined experience in the energy sector. They bring a diverse array of skills in software development, engineering, finance, and more to Phoenix Capital Group.

However, the company’s immense success would not be possible without the dedication, skills, and hard work of the entire team.

The large and diverse team at Phoenix Capital Group focuses on minerals, investments, operations, marketing, land, finance, technology, and more. Through their combined effort, they contribute to the company’s ongoing success and growth.

About Phoenix Capital Group

Founded in 2019, Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC is a leading oil and gas mineral rights acquisition, investment firm, and operated working interest company dedicated to discovering untapped value on behalf of landowners across the United States. The family-owned company is a technology-led and client-centric focused organization dedicated to developing partnerships with its clients through property acquisitions and investment opportunities. With a team of experienced professionals with expertise in software development, engineering, and finance, Phoenix Capital Group boasts over 60 years of combined experience in the energy sector, focusing on capital deployment and asset management.