Minister of the Interior Chang Po-ya
Statistics indicate that crime rates invariably increase in those states with casinos. The number of people addicted to gambling rises by a factor of five each year. For each dollar of gambling tax levied, the government has to fork out three dollars in social welfare benefits. A minister's shallow understanding of the issues surrounding legalized gambling abroad has actually influenced her position on gambling in Taiwan. It is truly disheartening to see an administration so eager to trade in its soul for a mere NT$2.5 billion.
The administration's ability to resist temptation is apparently very poor. Did it ever occur to officials that, with NT$2.5 billion as bait, foreign investors will be able to suck the people of Taiwan dry? We will be left with broken families caused by compulsive gambling and surging crime rates.
Politicians should not sugar-coat the bloodiness and evilness of gambling. The American people have already paid a severe price for the legalization of gambling. The people of Taiwan have an even greater love of gambling. Once gambling is legalized, it will be packaged and labeled like classy, chic quiz games suitable for all age groups. The chances of your family members becoming addicted to gambling will multiply by at least five. The chances of you and your family being robbed, extorted from, and burgled by gamblers will certainly increase as well. What a fatal attraction.
You may think that gambling is a private matter in which no one else has the right to interfere. Many painful and tearful stories, however, prove that gambling victims are often not just the gamblers themselves, but also their family members and perhaps even people who are murdered, kidnapped and robbed by gamblers.
In Taiwan, gambling and violence come hand in hand. Why? Because of crimes derived from gambling. The gambling industry feeds the mafia bosses and their sidekicks. When gamblers get to the end of their rope, they often turn to crime. As a result, they will steal, rob, kidnap and do anything to help them get cash.
The legalization of gambling will openly lure and tempt people into gambling, leading to more crime in Taiwan's already chaotic society. Some believe that since gambling cannot be completely eradicated, we might as well legalize it. However, it is also impossible to eradicate narcotics, organized crime and prostitution. Should we also legalize them?
Some believe that after gambling has been legalized and comes under government regulation, all the crimes associated with underground casinos will vanish. Will they please think again ? The underground casinos will continue to operate to evade the payment of taxes. People will continue to place bets on the lottery, baseball games, pigeon races, mahjong games and even the legislative elections through underground casinos.
Some say that since people in Taiwan love gambling, we might as well have our own casinos, rather than see Las Vegas reap the benefits. Casinos overseas, however, lure the middle class and the super-rich who have the money to gamble, while casinos here at home will attract members of the lower classes who may have little money but wish to strike it big overnight.
The capacity of gambling to corrupt souls and erode the economy has been proven in countries with legalized gambling. Behind the glamorous front of casinos are sins and bloodshed.
During a tour of a casino in Malaysia, a friend of mine told me that many gamblers there resort to prostitution or suicide when things get too rough. Those who make a fortune from gambling often become targets of crime.
The Malaysian government is very protective of its own people. It allows Chinese patronage of casinos, but prohibits Malays from setting foot in them. It is the opposite of Taiwan politicians who will eagerly push their own people into the dungeon of gambling out of its own self-interest.
In the days to come, we will closely watch the conduct of officials and legislative representatives. If they enact any law legalizing gambling, we will make their lives miserable.
We will call on individuals from religious circles, public interest and social groups, as well as all the people whose families have been broken by gambling, to band together and protest. We will show our contempt for the politicians who have sold out to the devil.
Shih Chao-hui is a director of the Chinese Buddhist Temple Association.
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