By Zack SmithAssistant City Editor

Gamblers bet at their own risk. One San Diego State Universitystudent said he did, and lost all the money he had for tuition.

The student is business junior Grant, who asked that his name bewithheld. He said he had an unlucky table Thanksgiving break in LasVegas. Grant said he was playing blackjack at a casino and lost$1,000. He originally lost $500 and tried to get it back, but endedup losing another $500.

That was his tuition money.

He was on campus Monday holding a sign that asked students to helphim pay his Spring 2001 tuition. He stood on the footbridge toParking Structure I hoping to get one dollar from 880 people –enough to pay full-time registration fees.

“I’m trading my dignity for a dollar,” he said. “I know what I’mdoing.”

Grant, a Las Vegas native who came to San Diego to go to college,said he is an avid gambler who knows how to play tables. He said heusually goes to casinos four times a month and plays $100 at a timeat $10 minimum-bet blackjack tables.

Grant said he holds a part-time job as a busser at a localrestaurant, but that it doesn’t pay enough to live.

“Gambling is a way to make my money and supplement my income,” hesaid. “I usually pay rent with the money I win gambling.”

He said he does not receive money from his parents.

Many students walking to and from class who passed Grant gave hima curious glare. Some gave him a dollar. Others kept walking.

Grant said he made $50 in 45 minutes.

“I’m in college trying to be an entrepreneur,” he said. “I havefull faith this is going to be profitable.”

He said losing his tuition money was just a spell of bad luck andhe still plans to gamble.

The money he was making from students will go strictly to tuition,not his gambling habit, he said.

“There are bums in Vegas who make two grand a week asking peoplefor money,” he said. “One guy I know drives a Mercedes.”