HighRoller William Bennett When it became known in 2003 that politician William Bennett was a high-roller gambler it stirred the feelings of many Americans. The reason for this is that Bennett has a long standing career as a voice for morality and family values. He never did anything illegal but the very amounts he is said to have gambled with are enough to make people feel that he was out on a limb. William Bennett was born in 1943 and started his life in Brooklyn. He holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in Political Philosophy and a law degree from Harvard Law School. He served as the Secretary of Education under Ronald Reagan's rule. In 1986 he switched chairs and became a republican and as such he was appointed to the post of Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy by President George H. W. Bush. During his long years as a writer, speaker and public figure his flagship has been to raise the moral standards of his fellow Americans. He wrote The Book of Virtues which is a very popular compendium of parables frequently cited by parents and teachers. His ideas have been implemented and made their mark in public schools all across the USA. When it was publicized that Bennett had gambled and lost at least $8 million mainly on slots and video poker it seemed to come as a contradiction to his public campaigning. It was reported that he frequented four different casinos and received a credit of around $200,000 at each one of them. He also had complimentary treatment such as free limousines and hotel rooms given to him for huge sums as he made his casino trips. While the attention his gambling drew has caused Bennett to withdraw from his former gambling habits he doesn't want to proclaim himself a man free of all gambling. In fact, he doesn't see that he has a problem. His wife also denies any loss of the huge sums mentioned and ensures that his gambling is not an addiction. Had it not been for his fame as a politician William Bennett might simply have been known as a successful and talented high-roller, enjoying his favorite games in a fashion that most people only dream about.