Living in the U.S., it's surprisingly common for people to say, "Let's go get some fresh air" and take a trip to the casino.

I occasionally stop by for a drive, but honestly, I've seen people whose lives have fallen apart there.

There were two people I met a while back; one started playing holdem at Commerce Casino, and the other got hooked on roulette and baccarat at Yaamava'.

What started as a few hundred dollars for fun gradually grew, and eventually, both lost over $100,000.

One of them even ended up getting divorced and now lives alone in a boarding house. Hearing that changed my perspective on casinos completely.

The closest casino to West Covina is definitely Yaamava' Resort & Casino.

It used to be better known as San Manuel Casino. It takes about 35 to 40 minutes to get there from West Covina heading east.

It's one of the largest casinos in Southern California, featuring 1,800 slot machines, blackjack, baccarat, poker, a sportsbook, a hotel, and restaurants.

If you go a bit further east, you'll find Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.

Many people stop by while driving to Palm Springs, and it's about a four-hour drive to Las Vegas, so there are quite a few weekend travelers.

In fact, not everyone goes to a casino just to gamble. Yaamava' has a nice hotel and top-notch restaurants. They often host performances by famous singers and comedy shows, and many families come just to dine. It can be a decent outing.

However, I want to emphasize one thing. A casino should always be entertainment.

The moment you start thinking, "I can get back the money I lost today next time," is when it becomes dangerous. Most casinos are mathematically designed to favor the house. While some people may win big for a short time, very few can keep winning over the long term.

When I go to a casino, I always bring only enough money for "a meal out or a movie ticket."

I set a limit on an amount I wouldn't mind losing, and once that money is gone, I leave immediately. Yaamava', close to West Covina, is definitely a place with good facilities worth checking out.

But the line between fun and gambling can easily blur into addiction. Remembering the stories of the two people I saw, I believe it's wise to never cross that line.