Now, there is a common stereotype that exists around the world of gambling and for anyone that might be labeled a gambler. This is a box that no one in particular likes to be placed in because it gives the impression that someone is in serious debt or that they have an addiction. However, it is not often discussed that not everyone who gambles finds themselves being addicted and not everyone is under the thrall of easy money. Some gamble for fun, for others it is a social gathering. That kind of dispels the illusion of the seedy image. Those that do not advocate gambling will certainly not like that, they thrive on the fact that they can instill fear and keep us poor mindless minions away from the tables, god forbid we have a brain of our own. We are actually going to highlight some of the more positive aspects of gambling, in the hope that some people will not allow a tarnished reputation become more than the myth that is really is.
We are all told that as a society, we do not look after our own. Well the location that is the Mecca of gambling institutions, Las Vegas actually does. But does it get credit for employing over half its population in the casinos? Hardly, and if those casinos were not there this would have dire consequences for a city.
There are always the figures that state how a certain percentage of gamblers are addicts and it is ruining their lives. What is not mentioned is the fact that there a greater number (three times to be exact) that gamble with responsibility and look at the past time as nothing more than social activity. Is it right to deny the masses to help the few? Not in a free world anyway. If we looked at this in another perspective, we should ban alcohol and anything else that is seen as affecting the few. Oh yes we tried that and it didn’t work.
Then one could look at the enormous amounts of money that is raised for charities through gambling activities. The lottery is a form of gambling, and you know that if you are going to cast that particular net, it has to be far reaching. How many good causes have gambling helped? The list would be endless but again, there are those that do not want us to think about that.
I am not stating that we should all run out and gamble as if our lives depended on it. What I am advocating is that there is nothing wrong with anything as long as it is done responsibly. The fact is that that responsibility lies with the individual, it is no use saying that if you weren’t tempted you would not fall, there is temptation everywhere, and you need to find the tools to deal with that.
