In this essay I will argue that gambling should be legal but heavily regulated by governments in order to protect people from its dangers. According to research by the The National Opinion Research Center, in the U.S, 2.7% of the population are considered to be pathological or problem gamblers. Pathological and Problem gamblers are described to have gambling significantly affected their lives. Although this number may seem small, one must consider the broader impacts this has on families and friends. These people are at an increased risk of substance abuse, suicide, and committing other risky behaviors. Governments play an important role in making and enforcing policy to protect its citizens. Governments must define gambling in legislation
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This essay will argue the negative social impacts of gambling and the effects it has on families. The paper will also show the misconceptions on how gambling revenue is spent and the lack of true economic growth because of gambling. Furthermore, the paper will explain that heavily regulating gambling is the most effective way to protect citizens to promote healthy entertainment. Although gambling does not promote economic growth, governments should heavily regulate gambling and inform citizens of the social implications.
The first argument will show the major negative social impact of gambling on society. In Canada, over 750,000 people are estimated to have a serious gambling problem (Problem Gambling in Canada 4). Treatment for these problem gamblers is hard to evaluate. On one hand, social work and addiction experts work to improve the lives of the existing problem gamblers. On the other hand, there …show more content…
More effective ways to reduce problem gambling include: reducing the number of casinos, reducing the number of machines in the casino and decreasing the hours of operation for the casinos. First, research done by University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions showed that residents within 16 kilometers of a casino were 90% more likely to become problem gamblers. The research suggested this is true because individuals were more likely to start gambling because of the easy access to opportunity. Second, many gambling experts argue that the placing the responsibility of self-control on the problem gambler is a very ineffective technique, because these individuals lack the necessary tools to control their own decisions. In 2005, the province of Nova Scotia reduced the number of video lottery terminals (VLT) in casinos, which are the revenue producing machines. The VLT’s are popular for their fast speed of play, ability to accept electronic fun transfers, the tendency to produce small misses and ‘Stop’ buttons which fool gamblers into thinking they have control. CAHM 4). Combined with other techniques, the gambling revenue decreased by 8.4%. This shows that fully eliminating risks as opposed reducing them is the more effective solution to reduce problem gambling. Lastly, reducing the number of hours of operation for casinos will decrease people
This essay will argue the negative social impacts of gambling and the effects it has on families. The paper will also show the misconceptions on how gambling revenue is spent and the lack of true economic growth because of gambling. Furthermore, the paper will explain that heavily regulating gambling is the most effective way to protect citizens to promote healthy entertainment. Although gambling does not promote economic growth, governments should heavily regulate gambling and inform citizens of the social implications.
The first argument will show the major negative social impact of gambling on society. In Canada, over 750,000 people are estimated to have a serious gambling problem (Problem Gambling in Canada 4). Treatment for these problem gamblers is hard to evaluate. On one hand, social work and addiction experts work to improve the lives of the existing problem gamblers. On the other hand, there …show more content…
More effective ways to reduce problem gambling include: reducing the number of casinos, reducing the number of machines in the casino and decreasing the hours of operation for the casinos. First, research done by University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions showed that residents within 16 kilometers of a casino were 90% more likely to become problem gamblers. The research suggested this is true because individuals were more likely to start gambling because of the easy access to opportunity. Second, many gambling experts argue that the placing the responsibility of self-control on the problem gambler is a very ineffective technique, because these individuals lack the necessary tools to control their own decisions. In 2005, the province of Nova Scotia reduced the number of video lottery terminals (VLT) in casinos, which are the revenue producing machines. The VLT’s are popular for their fast speed of play, ability to accept electronic fun transfers, the tendency to produce small misses and ‘Stop’ buttons which fool gamblers into thinking they have control. CAHM 4). Combined with other techniques, the gambling revenue decreased by 8.4%. This shows that fully eliminating risks as opposed reducing them is the more effective solution to reduce problem gambling. Lastly, reducing the number of hours of operation for casinos will decrease people