Government is hooked on gambling

When Slot Machines are used to replace sensible tax policy, it's difficult to find words to describe the short-sighted policies of political leadership, which is why the words of Brian Duplessis impressed --

In the spirit of trying to help our political leaders make our province a better place.... to be in, I have a suggestion.

Each week, key leaders such as the premier, the leader of the opposition, present and former ministers of finance, health and social development can sit around a table under the guidance of a trained facilitator and discuss their addiction problems.

They can use the model of a 12-step program followed by Gamblers Anonymous. I include opposition figures because in the past they have displayed the same symptoms of addiction as those in power.

Of course, the challenge will be the same as that faced by other gambling addicts. They think their current winning streak makes them impervious to the ravages of their addiction. Let's face it - they have the odds stacked in their favour with all the percentages rigged to make sure they are the only ones that make money and the cash just keeps rolling in.

But like anyone else who thinks gambling will get them ahead, they are sadly wrong.
Who do they think the money is coming from?

It's clear that the effects of the recession are ringing long and loud in recent days in our province. And like any gambler who needs some fast cash, the province is turning to its cash cow - gambling.

A couple of months ago, I wrote a column pointing out to Premier Graham that life is about choices. Perhaps the government's choice to reduce taxes for the wealthiest in our province is now being paid for by sucking the life out of some of the poorest of our citizens through the little slots on the VLTs.

A couple of items in the news should make all of us ashamed to be sitting quietly by and letting our government take the last drop of blood from those suffering from this addiction.

The first one is that half a million dollars is being given as an advance to the harnessing racing industry as part of the longer term commitment to increase the number of VLTs at race tracks.
Apparently it is not difficult to find money for that purpose, but when social workers are needed in family court or social assistance rates need to be increased, the cupboard is bare. Choices, Mr. Premier, choices.

Or when no one is really paying much attention, the weekly limit of what you can bet online at the Atlantic Lottery Corporation site is upped from $99 a week to $1,000 a week, what is the government's response?

When I asked the government, a spokesperson said I'd have to ask Atlantic Lottery because it is an arm's length relationship. Such a great excuse when what you are really doing is holding your nose to avoid the stink of what you are really doing.

And what did Atlantic Lottery say?

"Our players have told us that they would prefer to spend their money in a regulated gaming environment where profits are returned to pay for the things they care about, like schools, roads and other important public services."

What drivel!

I'm sure those who are throwing away their paycheques through Atlantic Lottery's online site are sitting back and saying to themselves, "Gosh darn, that sure makes me feel better knowing that I am contributing to having nice roads to drive on for the folks whose cars haven't been repossessed because of their addiction."

Funny thing - I don't hear that from the men and women who have no choice but to live in a homeless shelter when absolutely everything is lost. And I am steadily seeing more and more clients whose main addiction is gambling.

And what about the government's Responsible Gaming Policy of removing VLTs from some locations and increasing them in others? It is a joke.

My suspicion is that they are removing them from the less profitable sites into sites where the take is even bigger. Some of our clients at the men's shelter have pointed out a number of bars that have recently doubled the number of machines on their premises.

Ah yes - gambling and booze. Always a guaranteed winning combination.

Brian Duplessis is the executive director of Fredericton Homeless Shelters and can be reached at brian@theshelters.ca