The subject of gambling has been a hot subject of debate amongst politicians for many years. The concept of people waging something of value for something not guaranteed is something that baffles many non-gamblers. Long before Christopher Columbus discovered North America gambling was practiced quite often amongst Native Americans (Sheppard, 2012). In fact one can trace the origins of gambling even farther back into biblical times. This is evident by the biblical verses in the Bible about the dangers of gambling and why individuals should not gamble (King James Bible Online, 2013).
According to the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, “The history of gambling in Canada is inextricably linked to the Canadian Criminal Code, which in 1892 declared a complete ban on most gambling activities with the exception of horse racing”(Stevens, 2005). Over the next 77 years the Criminal Code will make many exceptions for smaller-scaled gambling, such as betting on horse races or gambling at ‘summer fair midways’ (Stevens, 2005).
Eventually an amendment was made so that federal-run lotteries can be used to help fund meaningful activities, such as the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In more modern times the restrictions for gambling is much more relaxed. “Ticket lotteries, horse racing, and charitable gaming (including bingo) are currently legal in all ten provinces, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Territory” (Stevens, 2005). Casino-style gambling is also allowed in most provinces and in all territories, as well as slot machines (Stevens, 2005).
The focus of this argumentative essay will be why gambling is bad to Canadian society, and should continue being outlawed. Although one can argue that there are benefits to gambling, but this essay will look to dismiss such arguments and focus on the negative aspects of gambling. In order to go about this efficiently, this essay will look at gambling from an economical, moral and societal viewpoint. From an economic standpoint it is quite easy for one to say that gambling would improve the economy greatly first to fight bookreport.
After all there are many who love nothing more than to poor their entire wallets into a machine, hoping to strike gold, not to mention that casino gambling, the highest grossing form of gambling, is the form of gambling that appeals to individuals the most (McLean, 2013). As I had mentioned previously, federal-run lotteries also helped to fun the 1976 Montreal Olympics. With all this said, gambling actually does not improve a country financially, and casinos will specifically be targeted to prove this point. Detroit is a city with 3 casinos, built with the intent of bringing in revenue to a city needing financial stability and quick income.
Now, after over a decade of dumping hundreds of millions of dollars from taxes on the casinos, the city has more or less nothing to show for it. In fact, Detroit has become so financially strapped that the casinos no longer pays for anything ‘extra’, such a museum or an Olympic competition; Detroit museums instead pays for the garbage services and the electricity bill to keep the lights on the streets working (Henderson, 2012). Now one can argue that not all cities with casinos end up in financial trouble, with Las Vegas being a common example of this.
The only difference with this argument is that Las Vegas has attractions that would flourish even without casinos (Henderson, 2012). In fact, the city of Toronto just recently came to its senses and decided against building a casino in the downtown area, saving the city millions of dollars that could better-used in other places (Baggage, 2013). There are many financial repercussions that come with having a casino, and although it is a wonderful argument it is not the entire focus of this essay. To touch upon how morally damaging a fact from an earlier paragraph will have to be drawn upon.
In the Bible there are many passages that speak of how terrible gambling is. Now, there are many people who do not associate with the bible, and many of the historical details are debatable. With this being said, it is a fact that for many years Canada was primarily Catholic (Wallace, 1948), meaning it is religion played a major role in shaping Canadian society. With that said, one of the religious books Catholics use for moral guidelines is the Bible (Catholic Evidence Guild, 1921). Therefore, it is also indisputable that the Bible contains morals that are also right, as evident from Canadian society being sustainable and without war.
Now the bible does not go into great detail as to why gambling is wrong, but one can look at today’s society and make a great case. In Canadian society there is a steady increase of problem gamblers (Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario, 2013). This problem has become a serious issue, and is, reflected in the industry growing to keep up with the demands (Koprowski, 2007). These problem gamblers are somebodies mother, father, son or daughter, which can and will affect a household in many different ways. Besides the obvious loss of money, belongings and property, there are many emotional effects as well.
Many friendships are destroyed due to unpaid debts, partners do not want close contact with the person who has hurt them (Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario, 2013), and in the end the addict is left without affection in isolation. From a psychological perspective, the individual is left in isolation due to either being shunned or being too ashamed to be around others. Naturally there are extreme cases of those committing suicide after being driven to seclusion and gamblers are no exception; “1 in 5 compulsive gamblers attempts suicide and two-thirds have thought about committing suicide” (Gaultiere, 2011).
From a sociological and anthropological perspective, this is proof of the family system deteriorating. In conclusion gambling is bad for Canada not only financially but socially speaking as well. Although it is unrealistic to want all forms of gambling to be illegal, there should be some form of restrictions on those who spend too much time at the casino, or something along those lines.
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