GA Resolution: Reducing Problem Gambling

[Guy]

This is the discussion thread. Please go here to cast your vote.

Reducing Problem Gambling
A resolution to promote funding and the development of education and the arts.

Category: Education and Creativity
Area of Effect: Educational
Proposed by: Charlotte Ryberg


Description: The General Assembly,

UNDERSTANDING that the gambling industry is an important part of the economies of many World Assembly members, creating employment and generating significant income for national governments;

CONCERNED that some individuals may put their livelihoods at risk by gambling excessively in a hope to get rich quick or win back losses;

OBSERVING that there are many causes behind problem gambling, such as advertising, financial problems or peer pressure;

ACCEPTING that in most cases gambling is fun and entertaining if it is done sensibly and responsibly;

DESIRING to tackle problem gambling and promote responsible gambling:

DEFINES the following for the purpose of this resolution:
• “Gambling” - the wagering of a stake (money or items of material value such as jewellery) on an event (such as lotteries or horse racing) with an uncertain outcome with the primary objective of winning additional money and/or material goods. The definition of "Gambling" does not extend to speculative investment or the financial markets for the purpose of this resolution;
• “Problem Gambling” - a situation where an individual may: feel the need to be secretive about their gambling, be compelled to gamble until their money runs out, gamble even when they have no money, be pushed to borrow, sell or steal things for gambling money, and/or their relatives are worried about the individual because of gambling;
• The “Operator” - all operators of gambling premises, lotteries or internet sites, which are based in member countries;

1. MANDATES member countries to:
a) Ensure the availability of an easily accessible help service which provides help or advice to individuals with gambling problems;
b) Ensure that treatment for gambling addiction is available for any individual who wishes to participate;
c) Establish an education programme which informs the general populace and other interested parties of local gambling laws, and gives practical advice about the risks of problem gambling;

2. MANDATES Operators which allow credit to be used as a form of payment to impose sensible deposit limits on customers’ accounts, where necessary;

3. FURTHER MANDATES member countries where gambling advertising is permitted to prohibit Operators from using advertising or marketing techniques to:
• Specifically target individuals on low income or with financial problems, such as debts;
• Present gambling as a solution to financial problems;
• Promote irresponsible gambling or misrepresent the rules of the game;

4. EMPHASISES that this resolution does not affect member countries’ choice of legalising or outlawing gambling;

Co-authored by Knootoss.

[Consortina]

Looks good as a law to enact on national level but I'm not sure whether it is appropriate for the GA. It looks a bit like micromanaging the individual countries. I'm probably going with DELEGATE'S unless someone gives me very compelling arguments.

[Deleted]

The honoured ambassador from Charlotte Ryberg wishes to emphasise that a lot of people get into a lot of trouble with gambling and where unregulated, operators may lure them into a false sense of security by offering them whatsits that trick them to believe that they can win every time where in reality gambling is a game of chance with no certainty involved.

It is not simply a national-level issue because every member state needs to recognise that gambling is an industry which is supposed to be promoted as a form of entertainment and not as an desperado alternative to financial problems.

[Consortina]

Dec 4, 2010 7:55:03 GMT -5 @charlotte said:

The honoured ambassador from Charlotte Ryberg wishes to emphasise that a lot of people get into a lot of trouble with gambling and where unregulated, operators may lure them into a false sense of security by offering them whatsits that trick them to believe that they can win every time where in reality gambling is a game of chance with no certainty involved.

It is not simply a national-level issue because every member state needs to recognise that gambling is an industry which is supposed to be promoted as a form of entertainment and not as an desperado alternative to financial problems.

That might be true, but:

1) Gambling is a problem that has no international bearings or touches fundamental human rights. It would be a responsible action from GA member states to regulate it but it isn't necessary for the GA to implement directives.

2) There is a large breadth of gambling, diverse between nations and cultures. It might well be that a resolution is unable to address all of the various forms of gambling justly.

3) What exactly would be YOUR concern if MY gambling laws were too lax.

[Deleted]

Basically my inspiration has been Mousebumple's magnificent Drug Education resolution. I cannot see why it can't be imported into the gambling sector to give them a responsible image. It is indeed a responsible action from GA member states and therefore something worth promoting by the WA.

[Guy]

I like it -- makes sure people aren't exploited, while not infringing too much on NatSov.

[Walabamba]

I'm for it, looks like a good resolution.

[Cerb]

I have no problem with it though I think it's not going to have any positive effect.

I strongly suspect that most addicted gamblers start out just having fun rather than trying to solve their financial problems.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2010 13:20:41 GMT -5 Cerb said:

I have no problem with it though I think it's not going to have any positive effect.

I strongly suspect that most addicted gamblers start out just having fun rather than trying to solve their financial problems.

Personally I think it would through education and information on how to keep it fun and safe and set a good example for the international gambling industry. The inspiration for this resolution came from a British site called GambleAware, which is run by GamCare.

[Gilnas]

Not within scope of the GA, this is a national level issue.

[Cerb]

Personally I think it would through education and information on how to keep it fun and safe and set a good example for the international gambling industry. The inspiration for this resolution came from a British site called GambleAware, which is run by GamCare.

Which is fine, but is there a correlation between establishment of these programs and a reduction in gambling in the target audience?

I think most people are already aware that spending your housekeeping money on scratch tickets isn't wise. The tards still do it though.

As for whether it's a national issue, that is borderline. There are some countries that have a sole income from gambling (well, more or less) and they work to get their customers internationally.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2010 14:28:39 GMT -5 Cerb said:

Personally I think it would through education and information on how to keep it fun and safe and set a good example for the international gambling industry. The inspiration for this resolution came from a British site called GambleAware, which is run by GamCare.

Which is fine, but is there a correlation between establishment of these programs and a reduction in gambling in the target audience?

I think most people are already aware that spending your housekeeping money on scratch tickets isn't wise. The tards still do it though.

As for whether it's a national issue, that is borderline. There are some countries that have a sole income from gambling (well, more or less) and they work to get their customers internationally.

This resolution does not intend to reduce the target audience, as it does not shed gambling in either bad or good light. It is up to member states to decide which point of view they choose, provided that the plain facts are clear.

It will be perfectly okay for the yes-camp to say "gambling is a great activity, as long as we do it just for fun and not too much as to put our finances at risk, because if one goes bankrupt the casino could actually lose money due to unpaid debts". On the other hand it would also be okay for the no-camp to say "gambling is a bad activity, because it put our finances at risk."

In short, it is an educational resolution to promote the risks and facts about gambling, not a resolution to force member states to allow gambling or restrict gambling, hence the last clause. And it is an international issue because there are many people who travel around the world to these gambling places and lottos largely due to the glamour and the fun it involves. We simply need the support in place to help those in trouble and keep gambling fun and safe.

[Wordy]

I like this one. Voting for

[ImperialPoland]

Abstain

as guy said, doesn't really infringe on national sovereignty but still delivers some guidelines for the education of problem gambling, which i can agree with. Not sure about point 3 though. Yes its a good idea to make sure gambling ads don't misrepresent the rules, ect. but the rest just doesn't feel right. Its really the only area i think someone could argue national sovereignty.

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2010 18:02:26 GMT -5 ImperialPoland said:

Abstain

as guy said, doesn't really infringe on national sovereignty but still delivers some guidelines for the education of problem gambling, which i can agree with. Not sure about point 3 though. Yes its a good idea to make sure gambling ads don't misrepresent the rules, ect. but the rest just doesn't feel right. Its really the only area i think someone could argue national sovereignty.

What in the sense of, honoured ambassador, so we could clarify on the concerns?

[Pom Ariel]

Agree - voted for

[Takaram]

Not appropriate for the WA, IMO. Against

[ImperialPoland]

Dec 4, 2010 18:18:50 GMT -5 @charlotte said:

Dec 4, 2010 18:02:26 GMT -5 ImperialPoland said:

Abstain

as guy said, doesn't really infringe on national sovereignty but still delivers some guidelines for the education of problem gambling, which i can agree with. Not sure about point 3 though. Yes its a good idea to make sure gambling ads don't misrepresent the rules, ect. but the rest just doesn't feel right. Its really the only area i think someone could argue national sovereignty.

What in the sense of, honoured ambassador, so we could clarify on the concerns?

i don't know, it's just that i wouldn't like the WA declaring how Ads should be made, regardless of what they're about. Guidelines are always good but I believe that kind of thing is best dealt with on a national scale. That's just my opinion and isn't really that big of a deal since the rest of your proposal is pretty good.

[Deleted]

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the 1000 Islands community for their support of my resolution. I appreciate the concerns about the advertising provisions but if we allowed member states to advertise dishonestly (then lying that they are better than GamCare) it would defeat the purpose of reducing problem gambling.