Gloomy days ahead?

Here’s what many have to say on Crown Casino, Melbourne:-

WHEN Crown Casino opened its doors 10 years ago, the celebrations were glittering — fireworks lit up the city skies, the rich and famous popped champagne corks and a Chinese dragon twisted its way along the river promenade. But not everyone agreed with original owner Lloyd Williams that this was a "gift to Melbourne". The dissenters included a half-naked actor (stripping made media attention a sure bet, according to Rachel Griffiths), a Baptist minister with powerful political connections (Reverend Tim Costello) and the then lord mayor of Melbourne (Ivan Deveson). They predicted many of the problems that have since afflicted people in this city — gambling addiction, theft and broken families.

Taken from the Age, 7 May 2007

In light of that, as much as the idea of opening two casinos (one marketed as an ‘entertainment centre’) in Singapore sounds enticing, the effects of it all will not be felt till a decade later.

Sure, the Singapore government suggests that they will limit the number of casinos which will then minimise the negative impacts of gambling. Tell that to the broken families who might be chased by loan sharks as a result of bad debts, especially when Singapore does not have a generous welfare system.

I remember during one of my trips up to Genting Highlands, Malaysia, a man who looked like life has been sucked out of him, approached my dad, begging him to buy his rolex watch. I asked my dad why he was selling his watch. My dad replied that it’s because he has gambled all his money away. I thought that perhaps the man could have once been someone respected and admired. He now looked like a pitiful creature, stooped down to a level of humiliation where he needs to beg in order to be clothed and fed.

Hm, but then again, the same can be said of substance abuse perhaps.