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Should gambling ads be banned?
The National Gambling Bill was tabled in parliament on Wednesday. Among other things, it proposes a ban on casino advertising.
The bill also suggests that casinoes be made to put up notices warning of the dangers of compulsive gambling.
I'm sympathetic to the plight of compulsive gambers, as I am to that of other addicts, such as alcoholics and smokers, but where will it all end? Already there are rumblings of restrictions on alcohol advertising and maybe even warning labels on bottles similar to the ones on cigarette packets. There are even campaigners for warning labels on junk food.
Several surveys have revealed the effect of the ban on tobacco advertising to be negligible. If there has been a drop in smokers it has probably more to do with the increase in prices.
Are all adults susceptible to gambling addiction? Or is it only those with addictive personalities? Surely the answer is social education programmes instead of attempting to shield these people from the 'temptations' in advertising? What about freedom of speech and the ability of responsible adults to make their own choices?
