We Are All Hooked on Gaming

Thursday, July 21, 2005 03:50 AM

We may not actually go to the casino or the bingo hall, but in one way or another, we are all hooked on gambling. The money dumped into the municipal government, the provincial government and charities, filters into many facets of our daily lives.

How many people have serious gambling problems? Who knows. The agencies treating those with gambling addictions say its a voluntary program and like alcoholics, many will hit rock bottom before they actually step forward and admit there is a problem. Most of us know someone who has, but won't admit to having, a drinking problem. Is gambling any different?

We have yet to study just how serious an issue it will be to the new generation which is growing up in a world where casinos are the norm. Those who treat addictions told the forum they would like to examine the impact of gaming in the north. If it 's anything like tobacco use. or alcohol, expect the "problem" numbers to be higher than the norm in B.C. Certainly there is a sign we may be more willing to recognize our problems, as Casino owner John Major told the group The Treasure Cove has the highest percentage of "self exclusions" (people who ask to have themselves banned from the facility because of addictive problems) in the province.

Never mind that we have the Robin Hood thing all wrong. When it comes to gambling we are taking money from the poor, to give to the...poor.
The public forum the other night showed one thing, those in attendance ( mostly charities) want to ensure there is some sort of funding available to them, and if it comes from bingo fine.... if it comes from casinos fine... just make sure they get a fair share or at least a decent piece of the pie.

It is sad to say, but it reminded me of a quote "Madam, we already know what your are, we are just negotiating the price."

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Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 03:50 AM in Views by Elaine Macdonald

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Comments

Posted by: gypsy on July 21 2005 10:07 AM

Love that expression. So fitting!!!
How can there be over 100 charities in a city this size? Every one with their hands out!! Why??? Are they all just "do-gooders" and "bleeding hearts" or are they compensated in some manner??? Is absolutely every attempt to get money out of the public performed by volunteers??? What exactly is the purpose of ALL these charities???
Remember when the Provincial Sales Tax came into being. All the money was to be used for the Medical programs. so why do we need all these charities asking for money for medical issues-cystic fibrosis, M S, heart, kidney, blind, cancer, (and absolutely BILLIONS have gone into this research), and on and on?? Surely the government collects enough with the provincial sales tax they can care for the public, as we are forced to pay a medical insurance premium to them also. Where does all this money go? Why do I have to answer my phone and people want something for nothing? Why do I have to answer my door and there is someone there with their hands out for a "freebee?" Then they want to collect from gambling, and in my opinion the Government is taking in enough to take care of people, and there should be no need of these bothersome charity organizations. If they were really for the people, they would be against gambling instead of simply begging for a bigger piece of the pie. Is it sickness feeding off of sickness?
If these gambling establishment keep increasing, and I predict the pubs will get slots next, then we will truly get to believe, "Charity begins at home." Who starts all these organizations-why-and where does ALL the money go???? Just does not make sense to me!!!!

Posted by: gypsy on July 22 2005 7:00 AM

Thanks krisb, FOR NOTHING! If you could not answer my questions, why take the bother to respond at all? Too far out for me to understand!!!

Posted by: owl on July 22 2005 11:27 AM

This article is bang on!

I agree with you gypsy. It is a system which seems to have evolved over time. What it looks like to me is that the system in place has two components.

The component that is absolutely needed is paid for from taxes. The part which is the nice to have but not absolutely required is paid for by charity – the giving by those who wish to support one cause over another.

Perhaps it is the best parts of both worlds. One is under government control. They decide how to divide the money we give. The rest is up to us, we decide who to top up. It also lets us feel “good”. We are needed to support “those who are less fortunate.”

It does not make much sense to me. As you indicate, it disturbs us through telemarketing, through people standing at store entrances with their hands out, through people selling raffle tickets at offices, etc. And, worst of all, as is pointed out in the article, it makes those groups who will look for money from virtually any source to benefit their organization become part of the system which proliferates gambling.

How many people see that? How many people agree that it is wrong? Surely there must be some. Do we know of any charitable organization that refuses money from provincial gaming sources? If so, we should publicize them and send them all a big thank you and support them as best as we can.