United Church challenges $27 billion Gambling industry

 — June 1, 19981 juin 1998

Canada’s largest Protestant church, the United Church of Canada (UCC), has launched a challenge to the nation’s multi-billion dollar gambling industry, and to the federal and provincial governments which receive massive revenue by taxing gambling. The Canadian Council of Churches and other faith groups are being approached to support the campaign for an inquiry into gambling.

Dr. Bonnie Greene, of the UCC’s Division of Mission in Canada, told ENI that recent exemptions to an 1892 law which prohibited gambling had created a boom in the gaming industry. However [for governments], gambling revenues have become a new source of money in place of unpopular tax hikes.” The UCC’s concern is shared by many people across Canada.  Estimates indicate that each problem gambler costs the Canadian taxpayers $56,000. Government participation in joint ventures with gambling interests is unethical and a challenge to people of faith, Dr. Greene said.

Dr. Green told ENI that from 1992 to 1996, net gambling revenues in Canada grew by 64 per cent.  The United Church has a long history of opposition to gambling, she said. The UCC also refused to accept money gained from gambling. “Gambling does not generate wealth.” Dr. Greene said that governments were urging communities to accept video lottery terminals (VLTs), a type of commercial gambling.

The UCC is urging all provincial governments to ban VLTs and slot machines and to halt all expansion of gambling until a full federal review has been completed and the recommendations acted on. (Ecumenical News International Bulletin)

Posted: June 1, 1998 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=2233
Categories: ENI • In this article: gambling, United Church of Canada Transmis : 1 juin 1998 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=2233
Catégorie : ENI • Dans cet article : gambling, United Church of Canada