Casino news from http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/
DESPITE STRONG arguments of the benefits to be derived from casino gaming in Jamaica, most Jamaicans are still staunchly opposed to the idea.
A Don Anderson poll, commissioned by The Gleaner, found that 56.7 per cent of Jamaicans are against the introduction of casino gaming while 42 per cent want the dice to start rolling.
Tourism interests have consistently argued that the introduction of that form of amusement would add value to the island's tourism product. The Patriots, an affiliate of the governing People's National Party, had also called on the government to conduct a study into the pros and cons of casino gaming.
SOCIETAL BREAKDOWN
However, the Church has consistently opposed the introduction of the amusement, arguing that it will cause a breakdown in the moral fabric of society. This view is reflected by 17 per cent of respondents in the poll conducted between February 3 and 11 by the pollster and his team from Market Research Services Ltd.
Other findings against casinos include:
Twenty-nine per cent are convinced that casino gaming will cause an increase in crime and violence. This view is held by persons over 35 years old.
Another 26 per cent said no, simply because they are against gambling.
Eight per cent believe that it will encourage wild spending.
Seven per cent say it will cause people to become lazy.
More than 37 per cent of those who support the introduction of casino gambling think that it will improve the economy. Thirty-six per cent of the 1,000 persons polled think it will create employment opportunities.
Fifteen per cent think it will bring more tourists into the country, while 14 per cent feel it is another form of entertainment which should be encouraged.
The poll, which involved interviews across the island's 14 parishes, has a margin of error of plus or minus three per cent.
Yesterday, Beverly Lopez, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), said the narrow margin of 14.4 per cent between people who want casino gambling and those who are opposed to it was not surprising. She thinks it is pointless to be against casino gambling when there are gaming machines and operations all over Jamaica. Mrs. Lopez said that the government should create a business out of what is "obviously a thriving enterprise and earn money".
MORE POSITIVES
The PSOJ president said the benefits of casino gambling far outweigh any negative impact it might have, particularly if it was properly managed with monitoring from the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission.
Education reform advocate Dr. Ralph Thompson, who mooted the use of casino proceeds to fund improvements in education, also noted that the gap was narrowing between those for and against casino gaming. He suggested that casino gaming should be limited to tourists, as is the case in the Bahamas, to quell the fears of those who think it will cause corruption in the society.
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