The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BAHAMAS Gaming Industry needs to explore intervention in addressing the issue of Problem Gambling (PG), and street mothers with infants.

That, legalised gambling is ranked by international Psychiatric Boards at a measurement of DSM-5, (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) on the same level as cocaine addiction/Substance Abuse by its power to destroy, ruin and totally decimate a person’s financial capability and family bond - only minus the destitute stigma of cocaine base-houses. But the gambling houses venues, smart phones and computers have all the same, become finance destroying and time consuming base-houses of addiction for too many.

PG afflicts whole families with the elderly, pensioners as a unique, more vulnerable segment of our society. Timely information could assist in intervention and help. Assessments from Australian and Canadian Government reports demonstrate how destructive PG is on the honour and dignity of persons whose sole income is pension and welfare sustenance or at the potentially most financially productive stage of responsibility. Intervention tools are a major component of the Canadian, Australian and European Gaming Industry.

The Gaming Industry can assist its patrons and society at large and, those who rely solely on it by placing intervention information at Gaming Teller positions, media, mailings public speeches, etc. warning of the dangers of PG.

Screening for PG is difficult as research shows that persons addicted to gambling will deny that something they enjoy is destroying them; same as cocaine addiction.

After all, according to Australian research gamblers manage and hide their PG addiction by constantly borrowing money and placing themselves ever deeper into financial debt beyond recovery.

Bahamas Gaming Act legislates that Gaming venues place educational pamphlets at teller positions and on gaming machines warning of the dangers of PG.

While this burden should be on government and its gaming partners, people’s ability to save money and pay back loans affront the Banking Industry daily, especially that easy to get loans, are a looming opportunity - untold social damage is being afflicted.

Most Church tithes and visitations have plummeted at least 6500. Government, neither its Gaming Industry partners are addressing the PG issue. Gaming houses like cocaine pushers should not self regulate Bahamians suffering from gambling mental illness addiction.

Studies of Australian, Brazilian, American, Canadian and European advanced Gaming Industries demonstrate that PG compromises a healthy personal, social and national wellbeing.

Australian Government research also found that Governments rely on Gaming Taxes while spending considerably more on social welfare. It concludes with the finding that Gaming Industry desperately relies on new patrons and persons who will develop PG. While gaming for entertainment is legal, the fact that it is now ranked as DSM-5 along with cocaine addiction calls for patrons to be warned of PG pitfalls.

Most often just a warning sign that PG can be dangerous is sufficient intervention. Some may require PG group talk therapy. It has always been most effective according to international studies and a Canadian PG Course I recently accomplished. Across Canada in 2011-12, Ontario contributed the highest to Problem Gambling (Health) efforts ($40,800,000) and to the Responsible Gambling Industry (12,942,000).

Intervention at any stage of PG is critical. According to Australian research of PG in small isolated communities, similar to our Out Islands - marked financial and social distress and decline become evident, with the elderly relying on ever further Government assistance.

With PG eating away at comfort monies that would have been spent throughout communities at, or saved in banks, whole areas show marked economic decline in home repair and upkeep, and also health among the population due to improper nutrition. Secondary addictions like alcoholism come into play due to depression and coping with bank repossessions and losses.

Many of us whom succeeded the addictions and recovery of the 1980 through the Sandilands programme are witnessing the same social upheaval being repeated in 2016. Infants are being born to suffer as some mothers extort public, private and Government goodwill as they stay at home and gamble all day.

Warning pamphlets as a first level of intervention at clinics, Churches Banks, National Insurance, Public Transportation. Also, to place warning stickers at cashier positions and ATMs. Again, help cannot be forced on an individual, but in subtle not so offensive ways it could be offered or inferred. Most addicts of all types only seek help when they hit rock bottom, it is then that they or their families seek help.

For that purpose, help must always be available to impact money control and gambling trigger behaviour.

PG poses a significant threat to our National Security in areas of Policing, Banking and government as people’s integrity, finances, crucial time and decision making are all impacted by financial desperation. Just a message that Gambling could be dangerous and ranked the same as cocaine addiction. could make a difference. In 1983, young many persons never stood a chance the innocent lure then sweet promise of cocaine addiction, the same now for sweet easy money that gambling addiction deceives the innocent to ruin.

CARLTON ROBINSON

Nassau,

September 28, 2016.