Casinos: The Pros and Cons

Perhaps the most important contributing factor to the growth of the casino industry internationally is the collapse of the communist bloc.

This factor has had an impact in South America, Europe, Asia, and several of the African countries.

Governments have been forced to find 'hard currency' to operate their countries, and have looked to gaming as a panacea for their budgetary skills.

The casino industry will expand further within a certain African and European continents, as soon as civil unrest cease. Presently, several of the casinos in both Africa and Europe are not operating because of political and civil unrest.

It will be interesting to observe South Africa's attitude towards casinos since its recent government took power.

Regionally, the greatest resistance against casino gambling is occurring in the Caribbean. This opposition has been happening because of the strength of the religious groups as an effective lobby.

Many of the religious leaders in that region object to gambling on moral and religious grounds.

Nevertheless, the pressure of economic leakage of casino dollars being spent in other countries may be a catalyst to change this moral objection.

An important social concern about the casino industry is gambling addiction. Gambling is a very addictive activity, and preventive programs should be developed to combat this addiction wherever there is legalized gambling.

These programs should also address the issues of underage gamblers. These problems may be more complicated to treat in an international arena than in a western country.

The security of the casino and its patrons is another concern.

Casinos and gamblers are excellent targets for crime. Usually, the media of gambling is hard currency which would have an increased value within many Pacific Rim countries. Casino patrons must feel comfortable within a country, otherwise the casino and tourism industry can be ruined.

Although casinos are expanding internationally, there is a serious concern about the collectibles of gambling debts.

The further a gambler gets away from the United States, the more cautious he or she becomes about both receiving and repaying credit. There is a need for stringent policies for collecting international casino debts.

Perhaps, an international information center may be the answer.

Needless to say, there are several issues of concerns for the international casino industry. First, it is important to develop impartial casino regulatory agencies.

Another concern is the need for regional casino training schools who are licensed by a regulatory agency.

Additionally, since money laundering will continue to be a concern for all casino destinations, the casino operators should work with law enforcement agencies, as well as international agencies to help stymie this practice.