Gambling - the Economy, Household and Society
Gambling
The Economy, Household and Society
Javon Walker
Ms. Patel
HSB 4M
Due Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 The subject of gambling has been a hot subject of debate amongst politicians for many years. The concept of people waging something of value for something not guaranteed is something that baffles many non-gamblers. Long before Christopher Columbus discovered North America gambling was practiced quite often amongst Native Americans (Sheppard, 2012). In fact one can trace the origins of gambling even farther back into biblical times. This is evident by the biblical verses in the Bible about the dangers of gambling and why individuals should not gamble (King James Bible Online, 2013). According to the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, “The history of gambling in Canada is inextricably linked to the Canadian Criminal Code, which in 1892 declared a complete ban on most gambling activities with the exception of horse racing”(Stevens, 2005). Over the next 77 years the Criminal Code will make many exceptions for smaller-scaled gambling, such as betting on horse races or gambling at ‘summer fair midways’ (Stevens, 2005). Eventually an amendment was made so that federal-run lotteries can be used to help fund meaningful activities, such as the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In more modern times the restrictions for gambling is much more relaxed. “Ticket lotteries, horse racing, and charitable gaming (including bingo) are currently legal in all ten provinces, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Territory” (Stevens, 2005). Casino-style gambling is also allowed in most provinces and in all territories, as well as slot machines (Stevens, 2005). The focus of this argumentative essay will be why gambling is bad to Canadian society, and should continue being outlawed. Although one can argue that there are benefits to gambling, but this essay will look to dismiss such arguments and focus on the negative aspects of gambling. In order to go about
The Economy, Household and Society
Javon Walker
Ms. Patel
HSB 4M
Due Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 The subject of gambling has been a hot subject of debate amongst politicians for many years. The concept of people waging something of value for something not guaranteed is something that baffles many non-gamblers. Long before Christopher Columbus discovered North America gambling was practiced quite often amongst Native Americans (Sheppard, 2012). In fact one can trace the origins of gambling even farther back into biblical times. This is evident by the biblical verses in the Bible about the dangers of gambling and why individuals should not gamble (King James Bible Online, 2013). According to the Alberta Gambling Research Institute, “The history of gambling in Canada is inextricably linked to the Canadian Criminal Code, which in 1892 declared a complete ban on most gambling activities with the exception of horse racing”(Stevens, 2005). Over the next 77 years the Criminal Code will make many exceptions for smaller-scaled gambling, such as betting on horse races or gambling at ‘summer fair midways’ (Stevens, 2005). Eventually an amendment was made so that federal-run lotteries can be used to help fund meaningful activities, such as the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In more modern times the restrictions for gambling is much more relaxed. “Ticket lotteries, horse racing, and charitable gaming (including bingo) are currently legal in all ten provinces, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut Territory” (Stevens, 2005). Casino-style gambling is also allowed in most provinces and in all territories, as well as slot machines (Stevens, 2005). The focus of this argumentative essay will be why gambling is bad to Canadian society, and should continue being outlawed. Although one can argue that there are benefits to gambling, but this essay will look to dismiss such arguments and focus on the negative aspects of gambling. In order to go about
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