For a few dollars more

By – Trevor R. Shepherd
| Tue, October 09, 2012 - 12:01 AM

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It is often said that people who argue against gambling do so for “moral” or “religious” reasons.

Perhaps. But the error is the implication that moral and religious reasons have little to do with real life. The fundamental issue with gambling is that a few profit from the loss of many. Nothing religious here.

Successive Barbados Governments, recognizing the overwhelming ills, both philosophical and societal of gambling, have generally tried to contain it. So we have lotteries, one-armed bandits and other relatively low-level forms of gambling.

Their existence is excused by their support of “worthy causes”, like sports and other needy bodies. That it can’t be that bad if they’re giving money to cancer research is the general notion. But we’ve avoided casinos. Until now!

Whenever unpopular decisions are taken, a desperate attempt is made to deflect criticism by an appeal to the volumes of cash that will result.

And that is precisely what is puzzling about the Government’s recent decision to allow casino gambling in Barbados. (All the talk about its not being in Barbados is transparent poppycock. If it happens in our Port, it is in Barbados.)

A new cruise ship facility is being planned. Will there be casinos? Not on board, but ashore?