One a recent weekend, the tourist strip of avenida Revolución was virtually empty at midnight.
However, a gambling center where clients can place bets and play on machines, between Third and Fourth streets, was jammed.
Inside, TV screens blared various sports games, there was lively music, and everything was painted in bright colors. And then there were the patrons: euphoric, smiling, frustrated.
Most only stared at a machine's screen; they didn't want to be distracted or answer anyone's questions. Many had notebooks and scribbled down numbers, combinations, secret formulas.
At dawn, one mechanic acknowledged that he lost his entire paycheck; another man, two weeks' worth of pay. A woman asked for money for public transportation after playing for more than five hours "without stopping to even go to the bathroom." Others, mentally adding and subtracting the amounts they had when they arrived, began to head home.
"There's a lack of information about this disease. Many people still don't know that they are sick until they see the damage they are causing their families," said Arturo, the coordinator of a support group that helps gamblers, called Grupo 2000.
It's the only one of its type in the city. The same members continue to attend meetings there since it began in September 2008, despite the anonymous testimonials that talk of hundreds of people who have lost fortunes in one day, millions of dollars, like Arthur himself.
At one recent meeting, some shared their experiences.
"I am aware of my addiction to gambling, but the anxiety gets to me," said Leo, 43. "It's been a week since I have gone to gamble but it's only because I don't have the 1,000 pesos in my pocket, if I did, I would already be there."
He said that he once owned ten import companies in Tijuana, had a nice house in an upscale neighborhood and had a wife and four children who loved him.
He said his gambling addiction cost him everything.
[sidebar]Where to get help in Tijuana
Hospital de Salud Mental de Tijuana A.C.
Bulevar Internacional 20501, Industrial Mesa de Otay
(664) 6070187, (664) 6070197 and (664) 6472810
Grupo 2000 (for compulsive gamblers)
Avenida Hipódromo 18, colonia Hipódromo
Meetings are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
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