Dear Editor,
We all know that we are living on a little island that is heavily dependent on tourism. Tourism drives our economy, and provides jobs for many. Without tourists, especially from the U.S., we would be in some serious trouble. So we are glad when especially the tourist high season comes around and pray that no calamity, or unforeseen circumstances, will hinder or prevent the tourists from visiting our island. Our government will therefore uphold, and promote, anything that not only attracts the tourists, but also support whatever activity that can keep them happy.
All of this may sound well and good, but we also have to look at the other side of the coin. I was quite amazed when I realized that another casino was going to open its doors, in what used to be the former building of Caribbean Auto Sales on Union Road. Why more casinos? Just recently another new casino had opened up its doors in the Simpson Bay area. The large video screens of now both casinos are already in full display, as to invite people to come gamble.
St. Maarten should now be called: “Little Las Vegas”. Yes, and by chance, this other new casino on Union Road is called: “Vegas” St. Maarten has now officially become the friendly island of gambling, where people can come, sit, drink, and gamble until they gamble away their last pennies.
So on behalf of government, the bright side is that more of these casinos will help fill and sustain their coffers, (and as many people believe, also the pockets of some money-greedy politicians? Who knows. … But that’s a different issue I don’t want to deal with right now.)
But there is also a dark side of these casinos. Whether there is a tourist high season, or low season, for the locals there is no season. Throughout the year many locals do regularly visit these casinos, even outnumbering the very tourists. So with so many casinos now in almost “every corner of the island”, are we then not creating and encouraging a generation of gamblers by allowing more of these gambling businesses on our island?
Not so long ago when I was in Curaçao, I saw an advertisement of one of their casinos over there. Although they were encouraging people to come gamble, they also reminded the players in their advertisement to “gamble responsibly.” Yes, there are people who become so addicted to gambling that they would “dump” their entire pay-check into the slots in a desperate need of a quick financial fix. This can also lead to frustration, family issues, and disputes.
Dear editor, we are living in a time when things are tough. Some people still have to work more than one job as to make ends meet. Food prices are sky-rocketing, while salaries and pensions remain at an all-time low. Many are therefore tempted to go try their luck with gambling. But the hope and dreams of striking it big one day will not be easy.
I believe every government also has a responsibility to the moral behavior, safety, and well-being of its citizens. Their concern should be as to what impact too much gambling can have on its citizens. I have visited some of these casinos, not to play the slots, (because I have better things to do with my money), but rather to observe the players at these machines. I have seen some players, who were drained of their hard-earned cash, just sitting there motionless staring in unbelief at the machines, as if contemplating their sorrows. Others in a desperate attempt, refusing their defeat, still trying to regain their loss as they continue to rage their battle with the merciless machines. But there are also those who seem to see some light at the end of the tunnel, and may still be able to walk away with something in their pockets.
I met a gentleman some time ago, who use to work in a casino. He told me that one day his boss once told him not to ever be tempted to play the slots. He said those slot machines are there to pay our bills, and of course to make a profit for the casino business. The machines are set in such a way as to make maximum gain, and minimum loss.
It is not my intention to stop any one from gambling. That’s a choice every individual must make for themselves.
We can talk about finding ways of eradicating the poverty and financial need of many people here on our island. But my question is if we allow more casinos to operate, are we then helping to solve this problem, or causing it to get worse? People will be tempted to gamble, as a way of getting more money. However to hit the Jack-pot, or even winning big time, will not be an all-time experience. It is only reserved for a minor few who have that luck. Most of the players at the slots are people of a low income. (The big-shots or high rollers, are mostly attracted to the tables.)
In the end, on one hand, government will continue to give out more licenses for more gambling establishments to operate, because for them it’s a good source of revenue, and the other hand more casinos will continue to open, because the gambling business is a great lucrative way of profit for the casino owners. They know that people are in need of more money, and moreover that there will always be far more losers than winners. So the citizens who are caught then in between are the ones who have to decide how they will spend their hard-earned money. Either gamble foolishly, or responsibly.
Concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request.
