by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker

May 02, 2007

Gambling:

Gambling is the act of staking or wagering of money or other valuable things on an uncertain result, the positive or negative occurrence of which determines the gain or loss of the money staked. When someone wins a game there is an additional gain of the money wagered. The result of the gambling is almost instantaneous. The advent of internet gambling makes it easy for people to entertain themselves in a game or two just sitting at home. They need not always visit the ritzy casinos and gambling hotspots. There are legal and illegal gambling that goes on all over the world. Gaming is the name used to refer legal gambling. Different cultures treat gambling differently.

Benefits of Gambling:

Gambling gets mixed reaction from the society at large. Gambling is compared to an addictive drug. The other side of the story is that a drug, especially the mind altering variety has been in use since ancient times in human history. Physicians prescribe it for certain symptoms. Gaming or gambling too in a way alters the mind by tossing it between highs and lows. At the same time emotional alteration takes place in certain recreational activities too. Thus gambling can be a source of entertainment if done in moderation. This entertaining diversion helps old people to keep them busy and to do some brain activity and beat loneliness. It has economic benefits too. Individuals benefit from gambling economically. States benefit from the heavy tax levied on gambling stations. The tax revenue thus helps a nation to build up the treasury and use the money for public services. It creates employment too. Localized gaming play outs help local charities raise funds for social causes. Large scale gambling attracts tourism and thus helps improve the fortunes of a country.

Caution:

Gambling can be compared to a external entertainment drug. It has a number of Benefits if it is used in moderation and self control. A rough study estimates a 75 % of gamblers find their gambling activity benefits them by way of monetary returns, entertainment and a good time pass when faced with boredom. 1% become addictives as they make gambling a substitute for some or the other psychic ‘holes’ or emotional emptiness. The rest have experienced risks at gambling in terms of monetary loss, a tendency to addiction and depression. They realize the risk at an earlier stage and take a break. ‘The principle of common good’ can’t be applied here to morally legitimize gambling, but the fact that it seem to benefit more number of people than those who are adversely affected, can be used for the introduction of more gambling opportunities for the public.

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