Will The Casino Industry Ever Receive Total Acceptance In Society?

02.29.2008 | 7:11 am | casinos

While there are far worse and far more harmful industries in the world than the casino and gambling sector, they seem to receive more than their fair share of criticism. Many people are now starting to ask whether the industries will ever be truly accepted by society and if not what is the underlying reason?

Even though there are obvious possible problems with the casino industry, such as addiction, the sector has been more than proactive in putting aside funds for helping those with problems, introducing new laws to try and limit the damage for addicts and also protect those who may be at risk. However, for many sections of society this is still not enough and the casino industry has been one of the main targets for various religious movements in the US – with many believing that it was political pressure which instigated the online gambling ban in the country. So can there ever be a compromise?

In all honesty there is very little more that the casino industry can do to try and assist those who may be at risk or need help. Places like the UK have only now opened up the industry to the mass media world, recently allowing adverts on TV for the first time. However, the various governments are never slow in coming forward to claim their ever increasing share of casino profits and tax those who have won at the table – is this not a case of double taxation?

It seems to many observers that on the surface the authorities like to play the game and hit the industry as hard as possible, as often as possible with higher and higher taxes and greater regulation, yet underneath they are more than happy to use the funds raised to fund local and national services. Is this a case of double standards?