Dear Editor,
One “too early to sleep” night on a cruise ship, my wife and I decided to play the “slot machines”- those things that you put in your coins, pull the lever or press a button, there is a fun noise and if you win, out comes a whole bunch of coins so pleasing to the ears and the heart. With $5.00 each we played, we won we lost, we won we lost, and after an hour it was all gone. Of course, there was an expectation of winning a fortune, there was excitement and there was fun. But did we become addicted and compulsive gamblers? Hell no.
I can understand the concerns of religious leaders towards the ill effects of gambling as a whole as they in like manner preach damnation against alcoholism, prostitution and all other forms of evil.
But alas, we are living in an imperfect world and the economic needs of the 95% flock here and now on earth far outweigh the plight of their souls in the hereafter.
These people, the same 95%, are the very people who demand of their government more jobs, higher wages, better services and a significantly improved way of life. There is no question from anyone, religious or political, that the much talked about, the much sought after “tourism industry” will be a tremendous boost to the economy. Well, the “leisure and entertainment industry” will in like manner serve to attract tourists and will definitely boost tourism.
How about the evil effects on the population? Out of the same 95%, how many of these people will enter the doors of a “4 star” hotel to play the slot machines, black jack, roulette, or baccarat?
In any case, our people already have their own forms of gambling, for fun and expectation of winning a fortune. We play the national lottery, raffles, bingo. There is betting on horse racing, dog racing and gymkhana. Young people bet on the game of pools and “rap” with cards. How about betting at cricket matches.
Really, if we take an honest and unbiased look at casino gambling, free from politics and religion, we will all agree that it is good for Guyana. Of course, we have to provide treatment to gambling addicts in the same way we that we do for alcoholics, prostitutes, sex abusers, wife beaters, child molesters, among so much other evils of society.
Casino gambling? It’s a money making, fun and entertainment thing. Let the coins ring.
Yours faithfully,
Shawn Mangru