It’s true that many people lay all kinds of harmless bets and there is nothing reprehensible in friendly wagers (At Issue, April).
But as spokesperson for Gambling Watch Network, I have come to know way too much about the harm done by gambling and lottery schemes legally operated by provincial governments. In Ontario, there are likely around 450,000 moderate-to-serious problem gamblers. Perhaps 1,000 to 1,500 of them will receive government-funded treatment in any given year, but the promotion budget to get people to gamble more is $500,000,000.
Corruption in the government schemes is rife. The electronic gaming machines (slots and video lottery terminals) are hopelessly fraudulent and deceptive.
This is the only instance I am aware of that governments have knowingly perpetrated a fraud on their own citizens.
Rev. Brian Yealland
Kingston, Ont.
May 29, 2008
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