Government is schizoid. On one hand it is intrusive into people's lives. On the other hand it promotes a gambling industry. Bankruptcy, prostitution and other unpleasant consequences come from the gambling (they even try to promote the euphemism 'gaming') industry. A minor change such as setting limits on money poured into the pokies has caused an outcry from the industry. It is an industry that produces nothing, worsens our social conditions and removes money from the pockets of people without providing anything in return except for momentary excitement. If people wish to gamble with friends or take an occasional fling at the races that should be ok. However, allowing and promoting casinos only makes things worse. IMHO there should be no casinos.

Careful of the unintended consequences there David.

I have never been able to see the attraction of gambling, lucky me, but it is a mostly harmless activity for so many people, who would be otherwise getting annoyed watching our dreadful TV.

It could be even worse, they might start thinking of how bad Gillard & our government really are. If you add a bit of grog to such thinking I reckon the little Oz day ruckus would be a "you ain't seen nothing yet" side show to the riots that would ensue.

Best not interfere with the anaesthetic of the more active masses mate. You might find a hornets nest.

Dear Hasbeen,

I just proposed getting rid of the casinos - not gambling. Keep TAB, race track betting and gambling with friends. We already know of the increase in bankruptcy, crime and prostitution associated with the casinos. We lived without casinos before. We can live without casinos again. I do not gamble either.

Dear David F.,

You've listed everything that's negative about
casinos in your opening post but nothing that's
positive and there are a few positive things
that should be mentioned. Casinos today are more
than just places where people go to gamble.
They are usually entertainment venues - providing
shows, food, accomodation, and much more. They
funnel millions of dollars into the local economy.
They provide
hundreds of new jobs. They attract tourists from all
over the world to the area.

The
Crown Casino in Melbourne for example is very
popular. It's a glamourous night out.
People go there not only for organised
gambling - many don't gamble at all but will go to
see a top show or have a delicious meal at the wide
choice of restaurants available - with prices to
suit all pockets. For many - it's an evening out.

I suspect that there would be a huge outcry - if anyone
would suggest that the Crown Casino in Melbourne should
close. Banning casinos? I think it's a bit late to do
that and not economically viable. Melbourne for one would
never agree and I suspect neither would Jupiters on the
Gold Coast not Star City in Sydney to name just three.

Dear Lexi,

Of course casinos would not agree to being banned. Neither would other entities such as dope peddlers which live on people's weaknesses agree to stop.

Sure casinos provide entertainment and food to get people in their clutches. The Brisbane casino used to provide great meals if you gave them $10. They would give you the meal and five dollar coins. My wife and I ate there several times and then walked out with the coins. The casino stopped that since too many other people were doing the same thing.

I have no illusions that they will be banned. I don't think it's likely that they will be. I am just giving my opinion that it would do more good than harm if they were banned.

Dear David F.,

I think it's a bit more than just the fact that
the casinos will not agree to being banned.
In Australia, gambling has always been somewhat a
tradition, (particularly on horse races.) Although
some people will take a punt on just about
anything.

I remember finding it extremely novel -
when as a young girl I learned that
a girlfriend's father was a "bookie" and he used to
take bets and listen to the races on a Saturday
afternoon.

What I'm trying to say, I guess is that some things
are entrenched in the culture.

Of course there are powerful economic interests that
benefit from the continued support of gambling.
I don't think its going to disappear any time soon.

Dear Lexi,

I'm afraid the logic is fairly unassailable.

If those restaurants and entertainment venues are able to exist because they give great value for money then they would still survive even if the poker machines were to be pulled out.

If on the other hand their survival is dependent on the funds from problem gamblers, which they patently are, then even if you and I don't use the machines when we attend these venues we are complicit in exploiting the tainted gains from money laundering, theft, desperate households, and addicted and afflicted people.

Exactly as David did when he went for the cheap meals. ;)

People are going to gamble no matter what bans you put in place.The internet is full of gambling sites.Get Govt out of our lives then perhaps personal responsibility will make us more accountable for our own actions.Ron Paul is 100% correct on this issue.

I would suggest not banning the casinos, but ripping out the pokies. Casinos were once classy establishments. In many places, they still are. I've enjoyed a bit of time in casinos in Cannes and other places, and I don't gamble.

The thing that sucks the blood out of gamblers - problem gamblers, that is - is the poker machine. Especially now that they come with flashing lights, musical interludes and countless free games and special features. They're also the things that suck the class out of casinos - and the problem gamblers' biggest problem.

There's something stylish and elegant about a roulette wheel and many of the other genuine casino games. Interestingly, they offer alternative 'grown-up' entertainment for kids who'd usually be at nightclubs destroying their livers. Strangely, the level of drunkenness at the casinos I've attended (here and abroad) tends to be much lower than that at the clubs nearby. With the countless security guards and hidden cameras, they tend to be safer as well. Bringing the class back to the casinos would, in my opinion, make them better entertainment, better tourist traps and less venomous to the community.

I'm dead against pokies, I don't gamble, but I am not entirely opposed to casinos.

Sure, ban Casinos and you'll just drive them back underground where they used to flourish unsupervised and fund all manner of crime.

I recall visiting Melbourne many (pre-casino)years ago, riding in a taxi down Lygon Street and seeing restaurants everywhere. I asked the driver how so many restaurants could make a living and just said many were just fronts for illegal gambling dens.

The problem isn't just casinos - it's the "get something for nothing" mentality that seems to drive our society and extends to every form of gambling.

Agree with wobbles. Ban casinos and the consequences and fallout for problem gamblers will increase 10 fold.

A push for a church state, unworkable.

DF,

Prohibition worked so well?

Dear Shadow Minister,

Prohibition banned alcohol. I am not advocating banning gambling. If people want to get together to gamble among themselves or to go the races and TAB to gamble I have absolutely nothing against that.

Dear 579,

I am an atheist and not motivated by any church.

I just think that casinos do more harm than good. I am for legalising drugs and prostitution. However, I do not think that government should promote either drug usage or prostitution. Casinos are government promoted gambling even though they are privately owned. They are sold as a tourist attraction. They attract gullible suckers who want to get something for nothing. I want to get something for nothing, too, but I don't think I am likely to get it by gambling.