Different Gambling Consequence Western Civilisation Countries Sociology Essay Example
Different Gambling Consequence Western Civilisation Countries Sociology Essay Example

Different Gambling Consequence Western Civilisation Countries Sociology Essay Example

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  • Pages: 8 (1997 words)
  • Published: September 4, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Throughout history, gambling has been widely considered immoral due to its lack of control over outcomes and lack of accountability for results. However, rather than banning it completely, there should be efforts made to improve the practice. Evidence shows that gambling dates back to before 6000 B.C., with Richard III in the UK prohibiting certain forms of gambling in 1380, while Canada maintained a ban on dice games until 1999. Despite these bans, North American Natives still engaged in games involving chance and risk-taking. In the 1970s, the US government aimed to strengthen laws against most types of gambling. Today, gambling is legal in many Western countries and some nations like Canada even actively support and invest significant amounts of money into the industry.

Gambling consists of three key elements: consideration (what people stand to lose), chance (opportunity), and rewar

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d (what people stand to win). According to McAuliffe (2006), establishments such as casinos or lotteries often provide more opportunities for winning than individual participants do themselves; thus emphasizing opportunity as a prominent factor. Despite disapproval from the Christian church, gambling remains prevalent in modern Western civilization with numerous cities having their own casinos.

According to Marshall and Wynne (2004), the growth of the gambling industry has led to an increasing number of people being identified as problematic gamblers.
According to Statistic Canada (2007), the gross revenue from gambling in Canada was 2.7 billion dollars in 1992, but it increased to 13.3 billion dollars in 2006. The average per capita spent on gambling was $513, with a peak of $750 in Alberta. Gambling has also created over 40,000 jobs; however, it has also led to an increase in problemati

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and potentially problematic gamblers. Thus, government-administered gambling can have both significant benefits for society and be highly detrimental to individuals. To fully comprehend the impact of gambling on society, it is essential to analyze it at three levels: macro, meso, and micro.

At the macro level, we examine how gambling influences the government and society as a whole. The meso level focuses on specific groups such as women or youth who are affected by gambling. Finally, at the micro level, we investigate how individuals are either benefited or harmed by gambling. These effects can be categorized into four areas: economics, psychology, sociology, and politics.

When discussing gambling's influence on behavior patterns among humans Julian Rotter's social learning theory plays a particularly relevant role because it explores how individuals are influenced by others' behavior.

The government owns and sponsors various forms of gambling establishments like casinos and lotteries that play a significant role in this industry. These establishments generate substantial revenue for many provincial governments across Canada; for example Loto-Quebec in Quebec alone has accumulated around 3 billion dollars.
According to Statistic Canada (2007), the gambling industry in Canada generates over 13 billion dollars, which is then distributed to different public services like education and wellness across various countries. As a result, an average Quebecois provides up to 500 dollars annually to the government through gambling contributions (Statistic Canada, 2007). In fact, data from Statistic Canada (2007) reveals that 69% of the population gambled at least once in 2005. McAuliffe (2006, p.1;368) states that gambling is significant for national and provincial economies as it generates substantial revenue without requiring tax increases. Lotteries are particularly profitable within the gambling industry and

have contributed to city development. In the United States alone, lottery ticket sales can reach approximately 50 billion dollars. It is widely recognized that accepting lotteries correlates with positive economic health on a national or provincial level (McAuliffe, 2006,p.369). Therefore, gaming activities like lotteries are commonly used worldwide as methods of generating revenue while helping governments increase funds without imposing additional taxes on citizens. One way for governments to establish gambling institutions more easily is by stating that the funds will benefit the education budget.The population generally accepts gambling activities when they know that the funds collected will contribute to education, which is considered a safe value. This makes gaming an effective method of generating state revenue without increasing taxes and reducing the country's economic burden. In the USA, significant development of gambling has occurred since 1978. However, before this period, the only government revenue collected was from fines imposed on illegal gambling activities, ranging from $500 to $5000 each.

It should be noted that there are several negative aspects associated with gambling. Only 34 cents out of every dollar collected from gambling go towards the state's treasury, resulting in 66% disappearing due to bureaucracy or other factors before being utilized for public services like education (McAuliffe , 2006 , p .370). Additionally, low-income families tend to gamble more, making it a regressive voluntary tax (McAuliffe , 2006 , p .370). Furthermore, an astounding annual budget of $400 million is allocated solely for promoting gambling in the US alone (McAuliffe , 2006 , p .375).

Despite its negative impact on a country's macroeconomics, gambling is also seen as beneficial at a national level. The legal system surrounding

gambling has improved over time, with state-sponsored lotteries now existing in four-fifths of the US (McAuliffe , 2006 , p .1).Legalizing gambling has a major advantage in that it replaces illegal gambling activities, reducing the risk of individuals resorting to illegal means (McAuliffe, 2006, p.369). Furthermore, government-sponsored gambling has decreased organized crime involvement and redirected their profits towards improving education rather than supporting drug use (McAuliffe, 2006, p.372). The significant prevalence of illegal gambling has led to the argument for legalization being "everyone gambles" (Fowler et al., 1978, p.22). Sociological perspective reveals that issues related to gambling are more apparent when examining different groups and demographic segments. Sociology emphasizes that negative effects primarily occur at the meso level within society. In Canada, adult gamblers can be classified into three groups: normal/occasional gamblers, possible problem gamblers, and problematic gamblers. Marshall & Wynne (2004) report that over 1.2 million people in Canada are classified as problematic or possibly problematic gamblers, which accounts for approximately 5% or 1/20 of the population. Risky gambling behaviors are associated with factors such as low income, lack of education, and substance abuse (Marshall & Wynne, 2004). Therefore, individuals who are impoverished and without a secondary school diploma have a higher likelihood of engaging in problematic gambling if they also struggle with drug dependencies like alcohol or illicit substances.While gender does not have an overall impact on gambling participation, men are more at risk of developing gambling problems. However, both genders engage in gambling equally (Marshall & Wynne, 2004). Despite this similarity in participation rates, men and women often have different perspectives on gambling. For instance, women from low-income households may see gambling

as a enjoyable activity that fits their lifestyle and budget. They typically play the lottery because it is affordable and can be played at any time without considering it problematic behavior. Women often use the actions of other women in their social circle who engage in problematic behaviors as a reference point to determine what qualifies as problematic gambling. In contrast, men tend to view gambling as a means to earn substantial amounts of money (Casey et al., 2006). Regardless of societal status or level of education, most individuals acknowledge that their problematic behavior creates difficulties in relationships. Marshall and Wynne (2004) state that the prevalence of gambling has both positive and negative impacts on society. Prior to its legalization, illegal gambling associated with organized crime led to corruption within police forces (Fowler, Thomas, & E.Pratter, 1978). The psychological effects of gambling are significant for both gamblers and law enforcement officers responsible for enforcing regulations (Fowler, Thomas,& E.Pratter, 1978).While the negative impacts of gambling primarily affect individuals with problematic gambling habits, it is important to consider the broader societal consequences. Problematic gaming has been found to be associated with substance abuse and severe psychological distress, which can significantly harm the overall well-being of gamblers (Marshall & Wynne, 2004). Some argue that implementing laws requiring minimal mental effort could effectively reduce problematic gaming by eliminating opportunities for engagement (Marshall & Wynne, 2004).

Psychology offers insights into the prevalence of controversial gaming behavior in society. The social learning theory suggests that individuals are influenced by their peers' behavior, experiences, and rewards or punishments (Marshall & Wynne, 2004). For example, people may engage in gambling not because they find

it enjoyable but because they can win rewards. This reinforces such behavior within gaming establishments. The theory also applies to how parents influence their children's gaming habits. Research indicates that children often model their future behavior after observing their parents' actions (Felshe et al., 2003, p.375). In fact, a study discovered that many girls admitted to gambling solely because their parents were involved in it (Felshe et al., 2003, pp.373-375).From an economic perspective, problematic gamblers have been known to spend more than $1000 in recent years. This is particularly prevalent among low-income families (Marshall & Wynne, 2004,p.35). Women often cite financial constraints as a motive for participating in gambling activities. Despite being aware of the slim chances of winning big returns on investments (Casey, 2006, p.9), gamblers understand that they are allocating their money towards a game with low odds instead of utilizing it more effectively.

The adverse consequences of gambling primarily impact both the gamblers themselves and their loved ones. Even though society may potentially benefit from gambling, it is evident that many individuals suffer due to this societal behavior. The psychological repercussions of gambling can result in severe illnesses and even depression for the individual involved.

The stress associated with gambling is widely acknowledged as a cause of emotional problems like anxiety. This not only generates significant stress but also contributes to thoughts of suicide. Moreover, gambling addiction often coincides with substance abuse, further compromising the physical and mental wellbeing of those affected.

To conclude, the detrimental psychological effects of gambling extend beyond an individual's personal welfare and also affect their relationships with family members.Problem gamblers often experience financial difficulties that affect their entire family. Additionally,

excessive time spent in casinos or gambling can harm the gambler's relationships with loved ones (Information About Problem Gambling, 2010). Around 85% of problem gamblers acknowledge their issue and recognize the negative impact it has on various aspects of their life (Marshall & Wynne, 2004, p.37). Some mothers even perceive problem gambling as a failure in their parental role (Casey, 2006,p.13). Understanding the causes of problem gambling at an individual level is crucial. It is commonly believed that individuals who are unaware of the potential negative effects of gambling may be more susceptible to developing this issue. However, it is not solely the individual's perception that contributes to this problem; parents who fail to comprehend the potential harm and engage in gambling activities with their children, such as buying lottery tickets for them, can also contribute to this societal issue (Felshe et al., 2003). On the other hand, professionals argue that one reason for normalizing gaming in modern society is its shift from being seen as a sin. Nevertheless, religious leaders often criticize this societal change and accuse it of being too permissive. From an economic standpoint, gambling can have detrimental effects on an individual's financial situation.Frequent gamblers often lose large sums of money and may turn to borrowing from family members in an attempt to recover their losses. Unfortunately, they are usually unable to regain their losses and find themselves unable to repay the borrowed funds. Problem gamblers face serious financial difficulties that should not be overlooked for individuals with problematic gambling behaviors. Many become trapped in a cycle and struggle to break free. Problem gamblers tend to spend twice as much as non-problematic

gamblers. In Canada, the average gross per person is approximately $500 per Canadian. In summary, gambling is a complex social issue that affects a significant portion of the population, including adults and sometimes young individuals. While major gaming establishments benefit society by generating substantial profits used to support the population, excessive gambling becomes more problematic when considering different demographic groups. The costs associated with this behavior are significant, and there are clearly negative factors associated with individual gambling. Although there are overall benefits for society, gambling also has detrimental effects on individuals. Therefore, while a complete ban is not necessary, efforts should be made to enhance regulations in ways that mitigate its negative impact on individuals.

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