Poker Machines: Hitting it big or a big hit
It is the dream of every slot player who walks into the casino to hit the big one. It is a thrilling thought in which the player always begins with the fantasy of lining up all the winning symbols and carrying the winnings for spending. However, as the play continues, reality sets in, and deep within the dream become doubts as one realizes that there is more chance of the lightening striking than there is of hitting the jackpot. The reality is the chances of hitting it big are astronomical. However, despite this knowledge, people still engage in the gamble. The issue thus becomes the social and economic impacts that gambling has on the society, the gambler, the industry and the government at large (Orford, 2010). Various stakeholders in practice have varying perspectives of the issue at hand. The issue continues to raise debates as to the legality and moral aspect of the practice in view of the impacts on the stakeholders. Thus, it is imperative to examine the issue and its impacts to arrive at a constructive conclusion or recommendation.
Why this is an issue of justice or the common good
Gambling is remarkably diverse in nature, a factor that makes it so attractive and irresistible. Initially, going to the poker machines was an act of entertainment, for the pleasure of enjoying the thrill of winning after a hard day work. However, currently, people turned it into a form of investment, in which they invest their time and money trying to hit the jackpot (Doeden, 2010). This resulted into the aspect of addiction creeping into the once harmless entertainment field. The players who participate regularly get addicted to the game. This leads them to investing their entire earnings into gambling, rather than helping the family in meeting essential responsibilities. This thus, complicates the society, as it affects the development of the society negatively. Families suffer when the breadwinner has an addiction for poker machines, in which he never wins. The government on the contrary, as well as, the hotel industry, continues to earn revenues and benefits at the expense of the society (Viviers & Nel, 2012). The family and person gambling suffer most from this addiction into poker games. Thus, gambling is an issue of social justice.
The perspective of the stakeholders
The stakeholders in the issue include people who participate in the practice. These are the gambler, the group facilitating the activity, in which case are restaurants and hotels, comprising the hotel industry, and the government who legalize the issue. These stakeholders have their varied perspectives as to why they contribute to the issue.
The Gambler
To the gambler, the opportunity to enter to the casino, or place with the slot machines is thrilling enough to eliminate all fears for losing the gamble. The gambler only has one vision in mind, and that is to make a life changing winning. This drives them into going overboard with the gambles, to the extent of gambling off all their monthly earnings. Gambling for the person is not an issue as they always think they have control and can quit as they decide. However, they only realize it is an addiction when the reality of the impacts starts setting in, affecting them and the society around them. The impacts to the family of the gambler are severe, especially if there are children. The family lacks the financial support they should be receiving from the member (Wright, 2012). Additionally, the person may lose their job and thus become an irresponsible drunkard. These are possible consequences of gambling that the gambler does not envision while they are engaging the poker machines. The society loses an individual who would contribute significantly if they engaged the right gear towards developing their community. The gambler only sees the thrill of the win and drive the life changing winning would have on the person and the society. Critically, the gambler is the target in issue as the hotel and government only focus in their attaining benefits. Therefore, it is for the gambler to rise and see the reality, rather than the mere void joy of winnings that will never be. They are the vulnerable parties in this association.
The Hotel Industry
The hotel industry is wide, comprising of the casinos, restaurants and bars. This is the largest service industry in the world as it is a frequent meeting place for many people. Therefore, setting the casino within the place of offering the service is a lifetime investment for the industry (Wright, 2012). To the hotel industry, casino is an investment and entertainment...
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