Dear Editor,
For all Jamaicans who are feeling worried or uncomfortable about the legalisation of Sunday and public holiday gaming/gambling activities, RISE Life Management Services would like to offer some hope.
However, let me be clear that if your discomfort is as a result of religious or moral beliefs, then we may not be able to appease you. RISE respects the rights of all individuals to choose and engage in whatever religious philosophy and practices they see fit as long as it is in keeping with the laws that govern our society. With that said, the issue of legalising Sunday gaming appears on the surface to create more opportunities to gamble and thusly may increase the numbers of persons who develop the disease of pathological gambling addiction. Pathological gambling may be seen as a public health issue and as such must be addressed from this perspective. The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission must be commended for their vision and foresight in 2005 for establishing a programme for the Prevention, Treatment and Research of Problem Gambling operated by RISE. It is very important that as Jamaica's gaming/gambling industry advances that the requisite support services also move in tandem. The abovementioned principle is evident in all other jurisdictions worldwide where there are even more advanced gaming industries. As a matter of fact, in other jurisdictions persons seeking to develop a gaming facility/casino must demonstrate how they will contribute to education, training and research with regard to problem gambling related issues as well as promote responsible gaming.
However, let me be clear that if your discomfort is as a result of religious or moral beliefs, then we may not be able to appease you. RISE respects the rights of all individuals to choose and engage in whatever religious philosophy and practices they see fit as long as it is in keeping with the laws that govern our society. With that said, the issue of legalising Sunday gaming appears on the surface to create more opportunities to gamble and thusly may increase the numbers of persons who develop the disease of pathological gambling addiction. Pathological gambling may be seen as a public health issue and as such must be addressed from this perspective. The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission must be commended for their vision and foresight in 2005 for establishing a programme for the Prevention, Treatment and Research of Problem Gambling operated by RISE. It is very important that as Jamaica's gaming/gambling industry advances that the requisite support services also move in tandem. The abovementioned principle is evident in all other jurisdictions worldwide where there are even more advanced gaming industries. As a matter of fact, in other jurisdictions persons seeking to develop a gaming facility/casino must demonstrate how they will contribute to education, training and research with regard to problem gambling related issues as well as promote responsible gaming.
RISE through its Responsible Gaming Programmes will endeavor to ensure that individuals that require help will be able to receive same and minimise any damage to their lives and that of their families. Through this programme, we have been able to initiate the first and only study on gambling in the English speaking Caribbean: "The Jamaica Child and Adolescent Gambling Survey 2007" as well as by virtue of its establishment we have the only gambling prevention and treatment programme in the Caribbean. Add to this the training of the majority of guidance counsellors on the island in youth gambling prevention and treatment education. These benchmarks are critically important as they demonstrate proactivity rather than reactivity to the issues that come with the advancement of gaming/gambling industry.
Add to this the fact that RISE has been able to collaborate with two major stakeholders in the industry, Supreme Ventures Ltd and Treasure Hunt Gaming to develop programmes that protect the public at large through the promotion of responsible gaming as well as minimising under-age gaming.
A balanced approach is required, and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission through RISE has so far chartered the right course. We at RISE are confident that they will continue to do so.
Richard Henry
Addiction Counselling & Support Services
RISE Life Management Services
Kingston
Offering hope to gambling
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For all Jamaicans who are feeling worried or uncomfortable about the legalisation of Sunday and public holiday gaming/gambling activities, RISE Life Management Services would like to offer some hope.
However, let me be clear that if your discomfort is as a result of religious or moral beliefs, then we may not be able to appease you. RISE respects the rights of all individuals to choose and engage in whatever religious philosophy and practices they see fit as long as it is in keeping with the laws that govern our society. With that said, the issue of legalising Sunday gaming appears on the surface to create more opportunities to gamble and thusly may increase the numbers of persons who develop the disease of pathological gambling addiction. Pathological gambling may be seen as a public health issue and as such must be addressed from this perspective. The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission must be commended for their vision and foresight in 2005 for establishing a programme for the Prevention, Treatment and Research of Problem Gambling operated by RISE. It is very important that as Jamaica's gaming/gambling industry advances that the requisite support services also move in tandem. The abovementioned principle is evident in all other jurisdictions worldwide where there are even more advanced gaming industries. As a matter of fact, in other jurisdictions persons seeking to develop a gaming facility/casino must demonstrate how they will contribute to education, training and research with regard to problem gambling related issues as well as promote responsible gaming.
However, let me be clear that if your discomfort is as a result of religious or moral beliefs, then we may not be able to appease you. RISE respects the rights of all individuals to choose and engage in whatever religious philosophy and practices they see fit as long as it is in keeping with the laws that govern our society. With that said, the issue of legalising Sunday gaming appears on the surface to create more opportunities to gamble and thusly may increase the numbers of persons who develop the disease of pathological gambling addiction. Pathological gambling may be seen as a public health issue and as such must be addressed from this perspective. The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission must be commended for their vision and foresight in 2005 for establishing a programme for the Prevention, Treatment and Research of Problem Gambling operated by RISE. It is very important that as Jamaica's gaming/gambling industry advances that the requisite support services also move in tandem. The abovementioned principle is evident in all other jurisdictions worldwide where there are even more advanced gaming industries. As a matter of fact, in other jurisdictions persons seeking to develop a gaming facility/casino must demonstrate how they will contribute to education, training and research with regard to problem gambling related issues as well as promote responsible gaming.
RISE through its Responsible Gaming Programmes will endeavor to ensure that individuals that require help will be able to receive same and minimise any damage to their lives and that of their families. Through this programme, we have been able to initiate the first and only study on gambling in the English speaking Caribbean: "The Jamaica Child and Adolescent Gambling Survey 2007" as well as by virtue of its establishment we have the only gambling prevention and treatment programme in the Caribbean. Add to this the training of the majority of guidance counsellors on the island in youth gambling prevention and treatment education. These benchmarks are critically important as they demonstrate proactivity rather than reactivity to the issues that come with the advancement of gaming/gambling industry.
Add to this the fact that RISE has been able to collaborate with two major stakeholders in the industry, Supreme Ventures Ltd and Treasure Hunt Gaming to develop programmes that protect the public at large through the promotion of responsible gaming as well as minimising under-age gaming.
A balanced approach is required, and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission through RISE has so far chartered the right course. We at RISE are confident that they will continue to do so.
Richard Henry
Addiction Counselling & Support Services
RISE Life Management Services
Kingston
Offering hope to gambling
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