Do Jamaican consumers need more Casinos?
Author : teriannSlot machines and card tables which are surrounded by laughter and music are the common elements of casinos.
Casinos have a bad reputation worldwide. They are often proclaimed as dens of sin where upstanding citizens go and give up all the money they owe.
Recently in an article published in The Gleaner online on June 17, 2015, “Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips announced last night that Harmony Cove Limited and Celebration Jamaica Development Limited have got approval to develop what will be Jamaica’s first two casino resorts.”
According to the article other companies have submitted proposals and are snow awaiting approval from the government.
Does this mean good or bad for our economy?
Benefits of Casinos
It’s not all gloom and doom, there are a number of benefits of having casinos in Jamaica. They provide well needed jobs for those who are at the lower end of the society. It does not take much to find young women and men and train them to be dealers.
The machines that are used must also be maintained so tradesmen who are qualified to repair them will also benefit.
When people play they tend to eat more so food vendors who provide meal services would also enjoy the arrangement of having a casino in their community.
The most prominent advantage to having more casinos is the attraction it would have for tourists.
The tourist industry is a very lucrative one, however Jamaica has to compete with several other destinations that also have the sea, sun and sand attraction.
In order to attract new tourists to our shores, we have to find alternative forms of entertainment. Essentially to a lot of people gambling is entertainment and they know when to walk away.
Pitfalls
The greatest challenge of increasing the number of casinos in Jamaica, is that those who lack self control would become addicted to it and this can lead to family and personal financial failure.
It can also negatively impact our country, if crimes increase due to issues surrounding gambling. Many persons would turn to illegal activities in order to fund their gambling habit.
There needs to be serious consideration given to these issues before we embrace the decision to expand casinos in Jamaica.
What’s your take? Let me hear from you!
Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner on line Writer
Tags: casinos
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8 Responses to “Do Jamaican consumers need more Casinos?”
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I think it’s good for the country. Unemployment Is very high.people needs job. idea is both good and bad. Good thing it brings job. Bad thing is bring criminal.
Point well taken. Last thing you want to see is someone receiving their pay check today and then losing it all by the end of the night. The government will need to educate the consumers of this entertainment of its dark side.
Yes Don, being informed is key! Everyone needs to know what the country will face economically as well as its negative implications.
Thanks for commenting! The truth is every issue has its negative and positive aspects so consumers must make an informed decision.
Well… There is good and bad in everything. Let’s just focus on the positive side of the casino business. I think it is a really good idea as it help improve the state of unemployment that we are currently in. To ever action there is a reaction. One may lose his pay check in an instance but they will also be that lucky one who will gain.50/50 chance.
Its great for the govt and the banks that fund the casino but not for the families of people will find out the hard way they are compulsive gamblers and lose everything they have and rob as muchj as they can before killing themselves
Bad Idea by a Terrible govt
For too long, countries have embarked on these ideas/programs without careful feasibility studies. It is likened to making a law without a preamble. A casino that is created without the input of the citizens, is unfair to the residents of the town or municipalities. Casinos brings traffic and in some cases, thugs and criminals. Are the infrastructures adequate enough to maintain such entities? Are there going to be enough Police presence to ensure that patrons are safe? Is this venture another way for the politicians to fatten their pockets at the countries expense? Is there going to be an avenue for new political appointees? Like Casino Advisors in the office of the Prime Minister and Minister without portfolio for Casinos?
The economic benefits should fit the risks.
Thanks for commenting Andrew, you made some valid points on the issue.