Bank Robber Blames Gambling Debts

Joseph G. Markham, 39, of Olathe, has been sentenced to five years and seven months for robbing First National Bank in Overland Park last September, the U.S. Attorney for Kansas reports. He reportedly told authorities that he'd lost money while gambling and committed the crime to pay his bills.

Markham left the bank with money, but was quickly arrested. He then told authorities that he had lost money gambling and needed to recoup the money in order to pay bills.

This is not the first time bank robbers have blamed gambling addiction on their bad behavior.

A weekend of gambling at a casino more than a year ago was the beginning of Gary LaTray's slide back to drugs, alcohol and crime, writes Sarah Moses of the Post-Standard.  He went on to rob three banks and a few stores after stealing his own niece's car.

Last month, a Rhode Island man robbed three banks in three different states:  His home state of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

Pizzi, who police said has a $93,000 gambling debt at Mohegan Sun, turned himself in to Norwich police.

During the Rhode Island robbery that ultimately resulted in his arrest, Pizzi passed a note to the teller that said, "Casually and quickly, give me all of the money, No signals or decoys or it's over, Give me 3 minutes before alerting anyone, Give note back!"

According to the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery, recent evidence indicates that pathological gambling is an addiction similar to chemical addiction. It has been seen that some pathological gamblers have lower levels of norepinephrine than normal gamblers.

Deficiencies in serotonin might also contribute to compulsive behavior, including a gambling addiction.

Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com