Gambling, Society, And The Government: Finding A Policy To Mediate Extremes

Rachael Girolametto-Prosen

1020E - Political Science

Professor Charles Jones

November 7, 2014

Gambling, Society, and the Government: Finding a Policy to Mediate Extremes

Thesis/Claim: In this essay, I argue that gambling can be a harmful social activity and the government has a crucial responsibility to regulate it impartially. In order for the state to act in the interest of its citizens, and not its pocketbook, it must exist independently from the gambling industry.

Why should I care?

In the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the Canadian gambling industry generated revenues of almost $14 billion dollars, after all prizes were paid. In other terms, citizens over age eighteen spent an average of $545. Approximately one-third of the revenue generated was by problem gamblers, and furthermore, was disproportionately spent by those of lower-income. In 2009, the Ontario government did spend about $50 million on problem gambling

Government should be acting to reduce public harm and promote the public good. That is their job. That is their responsibility to their citizens. However, in the case of gambling, the government has not been fulfilling this crucial obligation. It would different, if the gambling industry was separate from the government and the state was failing to find a consensus on how to regulate it. It is almost a disturbing situation, that the government operates the commercial gambling industry, like they do in Canada. The government in this case, whose job is to prevent harm to its citizens, is a major part of the gambling problem; a fact which only heightens their obligation to be part of the solution. A solution will only be found once governments take a step back from the industry and choose to put public health over