Discuss Gambling attitudes.

Gambling is a major problem because it not only involves the individual gambler, but it has repercussions for the gambler’s family, friends, employer and society at large. Research suggests that for every problem gambler there are 10 to 17 people around him that will be negatively affected. Excessive spending on gambling can have serious consequences for the gambler’s family. For the most part, bills and necessary expenses are not paid and the burden will fall onto the spouse or children. There can also be a negative impact on the gamblers’ work environment. If the gambler is not focused or absent from work, he may be fired which could add to his financial difficulty that started with his gambling habit. Crime is sometimes used to support gambling habits after bank accounts are exhausted.

Gambling is also associated with health problems. Approximately one in every four moderate to severe gamblers is seeing a doctor for stress related problems and approximately one in three gamblers have habitual feelings of depression. Many gamblers are also dealing with existing illnesses such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain. They are often using gambling as an outlet for their pain and suffering. Another problem that gamblers develop is poor sleep and nutrition habits. They are often too busy to deal with their personal needs and allow their health to waste away. The compulsive gambler is costing an overwhelming amount of money for the government with healthcare needs. 

Casino revenue throughout Ontario is estimated at seventeen billion dollars since 1975 from sources such as charity casinos, horse race winnings and slot machines. Compare that amount to this statement that “by 1997/98, nine out of ten provinces allocated monies specifically for problem gambling including public awareness, professional training, help lines, treatment services and prevalence and other research studies, with expenditures totalling in the range of $15 million.” This is a measly amount in comparison to the revenue generated with gambling. While the communities seem to thrive upon the arrival of the casinos which increase tourism, provide more jobs and additional housing for residents, the related strains and stresses on the people in the community is often not recognized and certainly downplayed by politicians. Clearly the government is in a moral dilemma between encouraging gambling and hence raising money while protecting the public’s best interests. Public campaigns, health clinics and 1-800 phone numbers are all government attempts to deal with the negative impacts of problem gambling. However, neither these measures nor the allocated funds are sufficient to stop the ripple effect of problem gambling.

        The Ontario government welcomes casinos and other forms of gambling eagerly as it brings in huge revenue for their government. Their claim is that it supports important community needs like healthcare and education. However, raising money through gambling addictions has many negative consequences. Increasing gambling opportunities encourages more people to partake in recreational gambling and problem gambling. The government should take a much larger proportion of the revenue generated and use it to control the gambling explosion, to rehabilitate addicted gamblers and address the social consequences of addictive gambling. The Ontario government has carried out the legalization of commercial casinos but the people of Ontario are the recipients of a flawed system that feeds into and allows gambling addictions to start and flourish. Ultimately, the people of Ontario suffer and this affects society as a whole.