Gambling increases as world economy slumps

Everyone who claims that gambling is an economic driver need only look at this press release from Casino City Press. Casino City Press distribute Global Gambling Review, a bi-annual assessment of gambling industries world wide produced by Global Betting and Gaming Consultants (GBGC) in the UK.

The latest edition, the 3rd, titled "Double or Quits", examines gambling markets world wide in terms of size, revenue, turnover and yield and includes all forms of gambling including online.

Warwick Bartlett, Lead Partner for GBGC hits the nail on the head when he summarises his findings:

"It is the global slowdown which has acted as the primary catalyst for expansion."
"We are seeing governments deregulate gambling in order to raise what are essentially voluntary taxes."

This desperate unashamed grab for a share of the billions lost by gamblers, has made governments turn a blind eye to the disatrous consequences that careless expansion has created.

However many governments, such as those in many US states are beginning to learn the lessons of allowing hotel and club based gambling, and not paying attention to the damage that gambling can cause on communities.

As many states debate propositions on gambling, some of which will be voted on by citizens, most a stating that allowing gaming machines in venues such as bars, clubs and hotels in surburban areas is not the way to go and is highly damaging to the communities. The UK government has clearly stated that the Victorian model is not the way to go and causes significant harm to the community.

So now that the Victorian government has an opportunity to do something about it through the current relicensing process, do you think they will? I doubt it unfortunately and we can only expect greater harms over the next twenty years.

Unfortunately the government doesn't think they need Gambler's Help to give up their dependence on gambling, the believe they need GAMBLERS HELP! to keep the state's coffers filled with revenue.

GG