#Rikers

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Shattered friendships and family relationships, alienation, self-loathing and insurmountable debt that can lead to criminal activity: Gambling addiction takes a toll on its victims in a variety of ways. Gambling opportunities aren't new. They've been around for centuries. History tells us there were gambling games in Ancient…

Two public development projects are in the works that will indelibly change the character of New York City. Both are fraught with political and economic risks, and both will strike a nerve with many New Yorkers. The first is the closing of the notorious Rikers Island jail complex. The city's plan, which includes relocating the incarcerated…