Gambling is a major cause of misery and homelessness to
those addicted. Billions of dollars in taxes are raised from the gambling
society and it is not in government’s interest to halt this devastating form of
abuse. For many lonely men and women poker machines, horse racing, sporting
events and so forth are simply a means of escaping their sad and lonely lives.
Soon they are addicted and it is not long before housekeeping money and jobs
are lost. Many on the streets have lost everything through gambling. Homes,
families, jobs, cars and now they live from dole check to dole check sleeping
under bridges and buildings. No support, no one to talk to except the beckoning
from the clubs and casinos who welcome them day and night as their dole checks
disappear down the slots. Often this is the only means of escaping the weather,
to get a cheap meal and perhaps a little company while they wait for the day to
pass.
It is not just clubs and casinos that beckon gamblers. All major television
sports display regular betting odds enticing betting on results. It is so
simple to open a telephone account linking it to a credit card or bank account
and then betting directly from one’s lounge, while watching television. The only check on age when opening an account is for the "minor" to tick a box which indicates they are over 18. If they are below this age, the onus is on them and they are eligible to place bets online. In other words, who is to know they are under 18?
Underage
children are not permitted into casinos and clubs. Yet, watching parents betting
from their lounge and even in some cases encouraged to do so themselves, is quite
acceptable by governments and authorities. I know of children whose parents will add the children's betting wins to the child's bank account they have opened for them. But, should the child lose on a bet, that is not deducted from the account - mom and dad simply "wear" that loss.
Is this not teaching children that it
is perfectly natural to gamble on sporting events with no regard to the
consequences, until it is too late?
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