Skip to content
Deacon Keith Fournier Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

The Hidden Costs of Gambling

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

Social and Economic Problems Exact a High Toll

By Father John Flynn, LC

ROME, DEC. 6, 2007 (Zenit) - The past decade saw an enormous increase in gambling opportunities in many countries. Protests by those concerned over the social impact were largely ignored by governments eager for easy revenue.

The first signs, albeit tentative, are appearing of an inversion in policy on extending gambling. The Canadian province of New Brunswick announced it is reducing the number of video lottery terminals, reported the Globe and Mail newspaper on Nov. 9.

The province's premier, Shawn Graham, said it was part of a plan to reduce the social costs of the terminals. The changes announced by authorities include halving the number of establishments permitted to have the terminals. In all, 650 of the 2,650 terminals will be phased out. The province also announced it will double to $1.5 million the money that goes to treating addiction and public education and awareness programs.

The announcement did, nevertheless, also include the go ahead for plans to establish a casino, designed to attract more tourist dollars.

A Globe and Mail editorial Nov. 26 commented that New Brunswick, along with other provinces, "is hooked on the money that gambling brings in."

The editorial commented that the health department of the Nova Scotia province also drew attention to the problems created by addictive use of video lottery terminals. A 2005 report estimated that 70% of the province's total gambling revenue came from the terminals, and that half of all revenues from the terminals came from problem gamblers. Subsequently, Nova Scotia reduced the numbers of video lottery terminals.

Suicide risks

Just prior to the New Brunswick decision, a study was published linking problem gambling to increased suicide, reported the National Post newspaper Oct. 29. Pathological gamblers are almost four times more likely than the average Canadian to try to kill themselves, according to a study published by the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, based on a nationwide survey of 36,000 citizens.

A month earlier, the same journal published a study documenting a 50% increase in emergency room visits for gambling-related psychiatric problems in Quebec, just as gaming took off in the late 1990s.

According to a report published July 20 by the CanWest News Service, net revenue from government-run lotteries, video lottery terminals and casinos rose to $13.3 billion in 2006 from $2.7 billion in 1992. The data comes from a recent Statistics Canada report. On average, Canadians spent $513 gambling in 2005. Men spend more than three times as much as women -- $1,396 compared to $434.

Britain's mixed signals

In England earlier this year the government's plans to establish what was termed a super casino were canceled. First of all the House of Lords voted against the proposal, reported the Telegraph newspaper March 29. Then the new government led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown scrapped the whole idea of super casinos, the Telegraph reported July 12.

But new opportunities for gambling were announced in a subsequent overhaul of gambling laws. According to a Sept. 1 report by the BBC, the Gambling Act allows the creation of more regional casinos, and bigger slot machine payouts. The existing ban on TV and radio advertising of gambling opportunities will also be lifted.

In an attempt to appease critics, Chairman Peter Dean of the Gambling Commission explained that the act aims to tighten industry regulation and ensure the young and vulnerable are not exploited. For example, some 6,000 betting machines in shops where children could play with them unsupervised will be phased out by 2009.

According to an article published Sept. 29 in the Guardian newspaper, the sum of money lost by British gamblers will exceed 10 billion pounds ($20.56 billion) a year by 2008. This is a rise of 50% in only nine years.

According to a study published by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, gambling revenue worldwide is set to hit $144 billion by 2011, the Associated Press reported June 21.

Revenue was already at $101.6 billion in 2006. In the United States it is expected to grow 6.7% a year to $79.6 billion from $57.5 billion. In the Asia Pacific region it is forecast to grow 15.7% annually to $30.3 billion from $14.6 billion, turning the area into the world's second largest casino market.

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Massachusetts' proposal

Part of the increase in gambling in the United States will take place in Massachusetts, if Governor Deval Patrick has his way. The state leader proposed opening three casinos, arguing that the increased revenue would bring much-needed jobs, along with substantial funds for the government, the Boston Globe reported Sept. 18.

A final decision on the proposal remains to be taken by the state legislature. Meanwhile, there is strong opposition to the proposal. The Massachusetts Family Institute, an anti-gambling group, called the proposal a "short-sighted, dangerous approach to economic growth," reported the Boston Globe.

"Disappointing and a cause for deep concern," was how the Massachusetts Catholic Conference described the proposal in a Sept. 17 press release. "Government should promote the common good with the best interests of all citizens in mind," the bishops urged. "It is not 'good economic policy' to increase the Commonwealth's income at a cost that involves the personal well-being of its citizens."

The validity of the economic arguments in favor of increased gambling are also being questioned. State governments often maintain that the revenue from gambling will provide funds for education, health and other vital needs. A study published Oct. 7 by the New York Times revealed, however, that most of the money raised by lotteries is used simply to sustain the games themselves.

One of the supposed beneficiaries of lotteries is education spending. In spite of this only a minimal amount of the education budget comes from lotteries, and the portion of lottery money going to state education programs is shrinking.

Costs and benefits

A June 11 article published by the Wall Street Journal also questioned the economic benefits of gambling. Twelve states now have operating commercial casinos, up from only two in 1987. The net effect of casinos is far from clear. Casinos often take revenue from other entertainment venues, and according to economists cited in the article the effect on jobs could actually be negative, because many modern casinos need fewer employees per customer than the businesses they tend to replace.

In addition, casino gambling brings with it significant costs. One of these is increased crime. The Wall Street Journal referred to a study published last year in the Review of Economics and Statistics, showing that about 8% of crime in counties with casinos is linked to gambling activity. Taking all the costs and benefits of casinos into account, the study concluded that introducing a casino actually results in a net cost to the local community.

In spite of such information, governments continue to fall prey to the lure of gambling dollars. A recent example is the Australian state of New South Wales, which recently announced an extension of Keno, a variant on lottery games.

The government is hopelessly addicted to gambling revenue, accused a Sept. 20 editorial in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper following the move. Gambling in the state rose to $7 billion Australian dollars ($6.19 billon) a year, with more than 20% going to the state government.

"Ours is an age of addictions," including gambling, commented Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney at the annual Mass of thanksgiving for staff and volunteers of the Matt Talbot Homeless Services.

He said at the Nov. 17 Mass held in the crypt of Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral, "We know the importance of our role in rousing our slumbering world which is in danger of losing its soul through addiction to consumerism, violence, ideology, self-indulgence." A slumber too many governments are keen to prolong as they skim off revenue from gambling.

Contact

Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000

Email

info@yourcatholicvoice.org

Keywords

Gambling, Flynn, Social, Lottery

Deacon Keith Fournier Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Prayer of the Day logo
Saint of the Day logo

We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.

Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.

Help Now >

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.