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The Presbyterian Church is particularly concerned that the changes announced yesterday to Gaming legislation show that the government is being strongly influenced by economic and business considerations without giving due weight to the moral issues involved.
In its objections which were forwarded to the Government as part of its consultation programme on changes to the legislation last April the Church argued that morally there are no grounds to sanction any form of gambling. 'The chance of winning prizes greater that the original stake reinforces feelings of discontentment and want among a considerable number of people,' says Laurence Kerr, Education Officer of the Presbyterian Church's ADE Committee that monitors gambling.
'The controls that were in existence until now and limited access to gambling have helped curb the wider interest and consequent harm of gambling. Until now we have fewer and less dramatic problems than our more liberal European counterparts. It is interesting to note that the growth of the National Lottery has coincided with a rise of around 20% in people seeking counselling through Gambler's Anonymous.'
The church welcomes the continuing restriction on the Sunday opening of Bookmakers but views the decision to allow on-course betting on Sundays as the first step in creating an unhealthy seven day betting culture.
Issued by Stephen Lynas, Presbyterian Information Services. Info@PresbyterianIreland.org
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