Since the smoking ban, the advertising for various forms of gambling has become increasingly more common. Some see this push towards encouraging people to play bingo, buy scratch cards, partake in online poker or just do the national lottery as a way to recuperate revenue in taxes lost through the tobacco industry. We are all aware that taxes from cigarette sales generated a lot of money for the government, but it is impossible to keep this revenue given the harmful nature of tobacco, but why choose gambling as a replacement, and is it any less harmful?
A recent study identified five major attractions for people with an addictive personality; alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gambling and pornography. It was suggested that taking away any one of these would see an increase in one of the others. Alcohol, tobacco and gambling are the most easily accessible of the five, and the most socially acceptable, so as the government has banned smoking, you could expect that one of the other two is quite likely to go up.
As we can tell from ad campaigns, the government are also getting tough on under age and binge drinking; although alcohol advertisements are still allowed, unlike tobacco advertising, there are information commercials that warn the public about under age and binge drinking. As drugs are illegal, and pornography is inappropriate to promote, the number one target for taxation is gambling.
The national lottery is promoted as a guilt free and fun way to try and change ones fortunes. It airs on prime time television and has a family feel that is not associated with other forms of gambling such as poker. Lottery games also serve another purpose whereby money from each ticket sale goes to help a good cause, so there is a sense of altruism. The general public feel more like they are giving to charity, with an added bonus that they might just become a millionaire.
The sense of karmic retribution softens the notion of gambling. With poker, drinking, drugs, alcohol and pornography, there is an essence of selfish indulgence, whereas buying a lottery ticket is a selfless thing to do. The government has tapped into this, and based on people’s good will are happy to promote the gambling phenomenon that we are currently experiencing ; and also happy to tax it. Serious gambling issues can leave people penniless and homeless, but at least they have their health; and whilst someone with an addictive personality will find something to spend time and money on, I’m certain that playing the lottery is definitely the lesser evil.
Dom Donaldson is a gambling expert.
Find out more about the Lottery in the UK and Europe with National Lottery.
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