June 1999

In this edition of Beyond the Odds, Don Feeney addresses the issue Is Gambling Immoral? As Feeney writes, gambling has been a controversial issue that has been debated for thousands of years, often with strong feelings on both sides. I recall this clearly a couple of years ago when working with representatives from a religious group who had gathered to address gambling problems within their denomination. There were some in the group who felt any gambling was wrong and immoral. One person was even opposed to the flip of a coin at the start of a football game. There were others in the same group who found no problem with gambling. In fact, some were not even willing to acknowledge the existence of pathological gambling.

The debate over the positive and negative effects of gambling continues today. As the National Gambling Impact Study Commission completes its two-year study of gambling, Commission Chair, Kay C. James commented, "Those who predict the debate over gambling is over are mistaken. It's actually just the beginning."

Often, when an issue like this becomes polarized, the result is an impasse while people focus on defending their positions. In the meantime, people are left with little help in making choices about whether, when and how much to gamble or how to get help for someone with a gambling problem. I would suggest that there are a number of things that we can all do regardless of our personal feelings about gambling. We can:

1. Encourage discussions among people of all ages about the risks associated with gambling;
2. Support those who choose not to gamble;
3. Help people who choose to gamble to develop personal guidelines to reduce the risk of developing a gambling problem;
4. Share our concerns with those who gamble inappropriately or in high-risk ways; and
5. Be compassionate to those whose lives have been affected by a gambling problem.

Roger H. Svendsen

 

 

In This Issue

Is gambling immoral?

Fee-for-service goes statewide

Resources for the faith community

Roger Svendsen recognized

Upcoming trainings

Gambling Problems Resource Center
2720 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112