Should casinos be used by governments to raise funds for social programs?

Governments in many parts of the world where some forms of gambling are legal have been tapping casinos and other games (lotteries, sweepstakes) as sources of revenues for various social programs. But should this be always the case? Should governments depend on gambling as tools to raise funds or should they find other means?

Opinions on this issue vary from the positive to the negative. Some people are appreciative of the fact that revenues from casinos or charity casinos have funded many vital services, no matter how small, in their communities. They believe that governments do not always have sufficient money to support all social organizations hence, the need to find other sources of funds.

Unlike in the post war era when volunteering for charity was commonplace, people nowadays are less involved in social activities. The casinos, therefore, are a good place where people can help support a charitable cause without getting involved. Spending their money on games will automatically enable them to help a good cause or less privileged people.

It is, however, recommended that revenues from casinos should be spent wisely such as to generate employment for communities through the development of small to medium size manufacturing. The money should be used to improve the quality of life such as on recreation while a part of it should be put in a heritage fund for the future.

A study by the Canada West Foundation has found that gaming revenue benefited non-profit organizations in Canada. It revealed that half of the 400 non-profit groups involved in the study said gambling revenues were among their top three sources of funds apart from corporate and individual donations and membership fees. Although the study said that money from casinos, bingos, raffles and the like is not to be relied on as they make the charities, sports and cultural organizations vulnerable, it argued that many non-profit groups would no longer exist without the gaming funds.

On the other hand, gambling revenue used for social programs has been greatly criticized by various sectors of society due to several factors. One of these is unequal distribution of revenues to supposedly less privileged groups. Some believe that the gaming funds do not really go to their supposed beneficiaries because of the involvement of several middle-men. Others say gambling is addictive and never good thus, governments should wean themselves of this and instead, raise income taxes on high income earners and corporations.

Gambling is also criticized as a social disease — immoral, corrupting public officials, enriching criminals, impoverishing the young and vulnerable. It’s true that humans will always enjoy playing the odds but government-sponsored gambling should not be considered a logical way to raise funds.

In the end, it will be all up to the people and the government to decide if casino revenues should continue to fund social projects in their communities. If the government only makes true its commitment without corruption involved, there’s no reason why profits from casinos will stop helping the underprivileged sector of society.