First Posted: 3/28/2013

LUMBERTON — The surest bet is the one that isn’t made.

That was the message delivered on Wednesday to local youths and adults during a rally sponsored by the Lumberton Boys and Girls Club designed to steer them in the direction of hard work, and away from the notion of getting rich quick.

Ron Ross, executive director of the Lumberton Boys & Girls Club, pointed out that a person’s chance of winning lottery money doesn’t increase with each losing ticket.

“If I walk into the lottery and I’ve lost 100 times before you, you have just as many chances at winning as I do,” Ross said.

More than 100 people attended the club’s second annual Problem Gambling Prevention Rally at Lumberton Ford despite cold and blustery weather.

“It’s more like an awareness program for adults,” Ross said. “We can reach the kids, now how can we reach the adults? We also want people to know that they can call and seek help if they have a problem.”

The rally received a warm response from the crowd, who enjoyed live music by Carolina Breakers, hot dogs prepared by Kiwanians, and donuts by Cakes and Pastries and served by members of the Lumberton Junior Service League.

Ross said that adults should lead by example, especially when children look to them for guidance.

“We want people to show the youth how to be responsible,” Ross said. “We’re saying take care of your bills and groceries first and then if there’s any money leftover, that’s the individual’s choice to buy the lottery or scratch tickets.”

Jeff Smith, the district sales manager for Coca-Cola, donated 24 cases of canned beverage.

“We just want to help and contribute to a good cause,” Smith said. “This is the first event of this nature I’ve ever been to.”

Joe Butler, a Kiwanian, was more than happy to hand out hot dogs.

“This is the second time Ron Ross has put together an event like this and he’s a great guy for it,” Butler said. “The Kiwanis Club is supportive in things that affect the lives of children, so it’s only natural for us to be out here grilling hot dogs for the rally.”

Those who attended received free T-shirts and gift certificates to local retail outlets were given away during a raffle, as was a baseball autographed by baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr.

“I wasn’t here last year,” said Kathy Revels, a Lumberton resident who line danced to the music. “I heard about it again this year and came. It’s a very good cause to be a part of.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Lumberton last year received a $5,000 grant for a six-week program called “Stacked Deck” to educate people on the dangers of gambling.

In addition to the lottery, a popular gambling alternative has been sweepstakes games. But the city of Lumberton recently extended a moratorium on any new establishments, and the state has been trying for years to make them illegal.

Some City Council members have expressed their concerns in the past, saying the machines takes advantage of the poor and the establishments that offer sweepstakes gambling often are a gathering place for criminals.