The Ethical Problems of Gambling

There are times where gambling can be harmful to yourself and that harm can spread to your friends and family. Gambling can pose problems by inflicting mental and financial harm on a person endowed with the constant need to gamble. There is another way that gambling can effect a person in a negative manner and it includes the physical harm gambling can cause. Gambling is often associated with alcohol consumption especially alcohol consumption that is excessive in nature. Gambling is also associated with smoking. Smoking cigarettes have been proven over time to cause many cancers or other illnesses. However, gambling can be equally as destructive mentally and financially as it is physically harmful. Gambling can be like any other vise such as drugs and alcohol. It can be highly addictive to the point where there is much need for counseling to overcome. Finally, wherever there is gambling there will usually be white collar and violent crime surrounding it. The movie “Casino” was based on real events and people showcasing on how the mob and other crooked officials exploited gambling to their benefit (Newbart, 2008). The casinos in this movie were also surrounded by criminal behavior. These are only a few examples of how gambling can be harmful to a person’s life, family, friends. This does not exclude the harmful side effects to society as a whole. Gambling should not be a celebrated action, but should be treated as a cancer and regulated heavily.

The first issue with gambling is constructed through the ethical theory of utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the theory “that there is an obvious solution that is fair, and it may be one that appeals to common sense as well” (Mosser, 2013). This theory applies the rule of what is best for ...

... middle of paper ...

...me within the area they are located. Some people would argue that casinos will create jobs and improve the local economy. However in this instance, the Utilitarianism theory proves otherwise. Gambling venues like casinos only benefit a small fraction of people. The consequences of operating and promoting gambling and its venues are harmful to our society directly and indirectly. It opens people to becoming addicted to gambling and becoming destructive to themselves and everyone around them. It also leads to other addictions like alcoholism. It indirectly effects people by promoting an environment that breeds criminality. Increasing the restrictions on gambling and limiting the amount of gambling venues will benefit our society. This is why gambling should not be celebrated, but should treated like it is cancer.

Works Cited

The Ethical Problems of Gambling