social-cultural and economic impacts of gambling

social-cultural and economic impacts of gambling

Gambling is legal in many countries and almost all states in the country, except in Hawaii and Utah States (Beecroft 1). Several non-profit organizations and lobby groups are advocating for a total ban on any form of gamble game on the island. Such movements aim at preventing the legalization of the gaming activities in Hawaii and additionally educating the public about the social-cultural and economic impacts of gambling (Beecroft 1). Unlike Utah, where the ban on the gaming activity is primarily due to its religious population, for Hawaii, it remains illegal to operate any gambling activities on the island. Despite not being legalized, some disadvantages and advantages are associated with the gaming activity.

Question One

Proponents are supporting the legalization of gaming casinos on the island. Such movement is supported by research findings in states where the activity is legalized, for instance, the state of Arizona and Nevada. Supporters for the legalization of gambling urges that the State of Hawaii will provide gambling firms with an operating license. Such licenses will promote transparency and responsibility in the business, thus reducing the number of illegal gambling activities in the state (Hawaii-Aloha Travel n.p). Secondly, the state will benefit from revenue collection through fixed taxes, licensing fees, and increased tourism activities on the island. Such revenue can be channeled to support a developmental project such as healthcare, education, security, and transport (Hawaii-Aloha Travel n.p).

Additionally, by legalizing gambling, the state will create job opportunities and promote the establishment of other businesses around casinos. For instance, people in casinos buy drinks and get entertained. Therefore, legalizing gambling will open job opportunities, thus promoting economic development in the state (Wu 286).

Question Two

On the other hand, some disadvantages will come with the legalization of gambling on the island. Some of the problems include an increase in gambling advertisements, negative economic impacts, and detrimental social impacts. The island is a tourist destination for families who are looking for a beautiful paradise for vacation. Therefore, the introduction of the casino will affect the tourism industry since many people will spend more money during the holidays (Hawaii-Aloha Travel n.p).

Additionally, while proponents of gambling suggest it will promote economic growth, experiences from other states such as Nevada reveal the volatility of economic growth from gambling activities. For instance, there were rapid growth in small towns in Arizona after the introduction of gambling in 1990’s (Beecroft 2). However, the towns economies collapsed during the recession period, with many businesses filing for bankruptcy. Therefore, legalization of gambling casinos in Hawaii island will lead to economic volatility and decline in economic index.

Furthermore, legalization of gambling will negatively impact on the social systems in the island. People of Hawaii are known for being friendly and loving visitors. However, introduction of gambling activities in the island may increase organized crimes and other social vices such as alcoholism and prostitution. For instance, in 2017, Honolulu police department reported increased criminal activities that were attributed to the illegal game rooms in the city (Beecroft 2). Other social vices that may increase includes prostitution, homicides and drug peddling. Gambling addiction especially among chronic gamblers, together with other vices, can lead to bankruptcy, depression and family problems (Walker et.al 295). Such negative impact of gambling addiction also affects the family member, friends and workmates.

Question Three

Economic analysis of impact on gambling supports banning of all forms of gambling in the island. Proponents of legalization of casino suggest that decriminalization of the business will increase tourism activities in the island. Critical analysis of the economic sector reveals that Hawaii’s tourism activities plays significant role in revenue collection. For instance, in 2017, the island collected more than 4.76 billion dollars from tourism activities (Beecroft 2). The state of Nevada collected more than 39.1 billion dollars from gambling hubs in 2017. As such, gaming activities will boast the collection of revenues, per capita income and gross domestic product in the island by creating job opportunities and promoting tourism, thus boasting revenue collection in the island of Hawaii. Nonetheless, unlike Nevada, the tourism sector in Hawaii is mostly nature driven by its family-friendly image and geographically situation (Beecroft 1). As such, the tourist sector will continue employing more people and contributing to the economic development in the island. Thus, the gambling activities may be detrimental to tourism activities in the island and job opportunities. Also, the gambling economies are high vulnerable to market volatility, thus unsustainable (Beecroft 2). Therefore, it is essential for Hawaii to protect its economy by boasting tourism and diversification of the economy without legalizing gambling.

Additionally, social impact of gambling results from pathological gambling and gambling addictions. Several research findings highlight the social costs associated with gambling. For instance, gambling is a vice that increases bankruptcy, depression, mental health challenges and decreases productivity especially among the youths. Notably, the estimates cost of gambling is as high as 30,000 dollars (Walker et.al 295). Culture, an important part of our society, is also affected when gambling practices proliferates within the society. For instance, most people in Hawaii oppose commercial growth that have destroyed some societies, while in Utah religious affiliation have deterred the growth of the gaming activities. Since the social cost of activity falls on the lower social segment, it may lead to inequality through unequal distribution of wealth in the society (Beecroft 3). Gambling is also more attractive to the younger generation as compared to the adults. Therefore, there should be policy regulations that set the age-limits for the gaming, and regulate the advertisements to protect the youths.

Lastly, studies on gambling also reveals negative and positive environmental impact of gambling. It promotes environmental outcomes through protection of the environment, conservation of the ecological resources and cultural heritages, and improving infrastructure (Wu et.al 288). Such environmental impacts have been witnessed in New jersey where casino gambling increased tourism. However, communities’ perspective greatly influences levels of satisfactions towards gambling casino (Wu et.al 288). As such, in places like Hawaii where there is negative attitude towards gambling, the community will portray negative environmental impact on gambling. Such effects include parking difficulties, demolition of buildings, soil erosion and decline in quality of air (Wu et.al 288). For instance, opening of a new casino in Colorado resulted in traffic jams around that area. Therefore, any introduction of gambling must protect the environment to ensure sustainability of tourism activities in the island.

Therefore, there should be a holistic policy that addresses economic, socio-cultural and environmental impact of gambling in Hawaii before any legislation is enacted. Such policy guidelines should include measures that aims at protecting the local tourism industry, and long-term economic effects of gambling. Furthermore, there should be enough regulations to deter mushrooming of illegal casinos, set-age limits to protect the youths from gambling, and also additional policies that promotes tourism in the island. Furthermore, there should be continuous research on the economic and social viability of the gaming industry before any legal approval is done