On casino gambling By Hydar Ally
Guyana Chronicle
February 4, 2007

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I AM not one of those who gamble.

I have never gambled in my life and I have no intention of so doing, casinos or no casinos.

In fact I have never purchased any game of chance, including the national lotto. I would rather spend my money on giving, as it were, a small raise to the poor or needy than on any game of chance. All gambling houses would go out of existence if only everyone thinks like me.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, not everyone is of like mind. Indeed, there are significant numbers of Guyanese who play the lottery on a regular basis hoping that some day their ‘dreams’ would be realised, except that it never really did save for an insignificant few.

This is not to suggest that I have a problem with gambling. At a personal level, my own sense of values does not allow me to engage in any act of gambling.

I know of countless number of Guyanese who regularly frequent betting houses and derive immense joy out of gambling activities. It has become something of a pastime, and winning or losing becomes secondary.

The point I am seeking to make is that one should avoid imposing one’s own value system on a society, regardless of how “righteous” such values may be.

We live in a culturally plural society in which people must be free to spend their time and money in ways that they consider would yield them optimal social utility, provided of course that such pastimes are not inconsistent with the laws of the country.

Casino gambling in Guyana has, understandably, generated some debate in the country with some strong advocacy coming from the religious community against its introduction into the country. Such views must be respected, if not appreciated.

We must develop the capacity for respect and tolerance. Given our plurality, we may never see eye to eye on each and every issue.

The important thing is to develop a capacity to see ‘outside of our own lenses’ and as far as humanly possible, to reconcile the national interest with that of our individual or group interest.

The truth of the matter is that we are living in a world that is fast becoming increasingly integrated, both culturally and economically.

The forces of globalisation are rendering national boundaries increasingly redundant. The entertainment industry is not spared the onslaught of globalisation. It is now possible to gamble via the internet and all kinds of indecency can be facilitated through the click of a button.

These are what I refer to as the downside of globalisation and information technology.

The cultural diffusion emanating from the North that is now permeating so-called traditional societies is upsetting established cultural norms and is viewed by many as “cultural aberrations”.

The sad thing about it all is that there is not much that can be done to prevent such forms of penetration and diffusion.

Whether we like it not, our society is becoming increasingly driven by materialistic and even hedonistic tendencies. This obviously runs counter to religious precepts and widely held views.

The interesting thing about it is the ease with which Guyanese come to terms with these values in North America which seem normal to them and the vehemence with which they condemn these very values in Guyana.

I remember being taken by a friend of mine on a visit to Atlantic City, one of the capitals of casino gambling in the United States, if not in the world. I was amazed at the number of Guyanese who spend hours travelling from New York to Atlantic City to engage in gambling activities. The setting was indeed stupendous.

Like most Caribbean countries, Guyana is not immune from the several forms of illegal transactions, ranging from prostitution to money laundering. This is most unlikely to stop, casino or no casino.

The important task before us is to put the necessary legislation and justice system in place to make it difficult for individuals to get away with nefarious activities.

As a developing country, we have to seek ways to maximise our foreign exchange earnings and the same time create jobs for our young people. Casinos may not be the ideal form of job creation but there are other forms of economic spin-offs and externalities which, if properly managed, could redound to the national good.

Guyana must seize every opportunity to take advantage of the tourism potential which is becoming one of the largest industries in the world, generating millions of jobs globally and billions of dollars in foreign currency.

Let us develop an open mind on the issue. Let us give time an opportunity to have its say on the matter.

The proof of the pudding, it is said, is in the eating.