Ronnie Thwaites fights lone battle against casinos

Lamentations

BY LYNFORD SIMPSON Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, February 25, 2010

DEACON Ronald Thwaites, the Opposition member of Parliament for Central Kingston, was the lone voice crying in the wilderness yesterday against casino gaming, now being debated in the House of Representatives.

Thwaites blasted even the Church as he launched a broadside against the Casino Gaming Bill, which would finally give the Government's stamp to an activity that inspires fiery debates for and against.

"There's no hope, no future and no progress in a society that adopts such principles," Thwaites, a Roman Catholic deacon, lamented while making his contribution to the debate on the Casino Gaming Act and An Act to Amend the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Act.

The MP's railings against casino gaming was a departure from the tone of the debate as most members, on both sides of the chamber, who have already contributed to the debate, have hailed casino gaming as a way of providing much-needed jobs while bringing more high-end visitors to the country.

Thwaites quietly rose to his feet and first thanked the members of the parliamentary committee for their detailed report to the Parliament on the casino bill. However, that's where his generosity ended.

"The legislation that is being proposed carries further, and perhaps the highest degree known and practised, the epitome of the transfer of resources from those who are desperate and needy to those who are wealthy," he said.

Thwaites told the House that it was "undeniable that gambling, along with many other social practices, constituted a very serious addiction". He further argued that there was no country where gambling was widespread, where the problem of addiction had not become a serious, social malady. "And we in Jamaica are uniquely lacking in facilities to treat this," he said.

The Opposition MP warned that gambling was a "reaction of our attitude to productivity, a productivity that is declining rather than increasing by virtue of hard work".

He also pointed to what he said were the negative effects of gambling on the family.

Said he: "Gambling circulates and cruelly redistributes. It produces nothing. It breaks up families and it reinforces an attitude of getting something for nothing and undermines savings, which in fact is the only hope for persons and economies such as ours."

Thwaites cautioned that the proper systems must be put in place to ensure that casino gaming in Jamaica does not become susceptible to money laundering and terrorism, as he took issue with the Church for not speaking out more against casino gambling.

"I'm sorry that so many members of the religious community, who 30 years ago and even more recently had expressed their views on the rash of gambling in the society, have fallen into silence at this time and seemed to have lost the courage to oppose," said Thwaites.

In his contribution to the debate, Opposition member Dr Wykeham McNeill argued against the establishment of two separate bodies to regulate gaming here -- one to police the casino gaming sector and the other to run the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission.

He said it was irrelevant that a casino commission be funded by fees from that sector, adding that any move to set up two distinct monitoring bodies would cut against the Government's attempts to reform and streamline the public sector.

Debate on the two bills will continue when the House resumes next Tuesday.

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COMMENTS (14)

Morais Wallen
2/26/2010

Just a few questions for Mr. Thwaites. Do you perceive a conflict between the aggressive stimulation of the economy and the "so called" fundamentals of the Christian belief system? Is it possible the Mr. Thwaites "epitomizes" the logical outcome of the debate between the Church and the State? What if one can demonstrate even one country where outright gambling is endemic to the society that has a relatively high degree of social stability, would he be prepared to conceed as well as admit to his inability or maybe his incapacity to deal with substantive socio-economic issuse in a logical and objective manner, his obligations to the Church notwithstanding? Is is possible that Mr. Thwaites' position on the subject is a clear indication that this debate is taking place in the wrong forum and hence adds very little value to anything at all? and finally, is Mr. Thwaites willing to accept that his position on the subject reflects a pattern that charaterizes the debate on sunday shopping, gaming as well as other national policy positions that have resulted in practices of which the Church and people like "the Deacon" are strong benefactors? Just a few questions for the loan wolf.

De Mon
2/26/2010

J'cans have been gambling since birth...We cheat on our spouses,boss,taxes, games..its our lifestyle. This is nothing new. All your concerns about the bad things accompanying gambling already exists here! So if gambling will create some opportunities, let it! It may not be right, but it is what it is!
Remember alcohol, guns,gambling aren't bad...its just how they got used!

gerald brindley
2/26/2010

I agree with Mr. Thwaites dialogue.Most imoortant thing is too provide more jobs for Jamaicans.

Eleazar mcdonald
2/25/2010

Thwaites, has contributed nothing to the Jamaican Economy based on my findings. Roman Catholic is not the religion of the Jamaican people..He see's himself as a Class-conscious character..He's trying to depict himself as a form of Classic..seeking some form of overwhelming reckognition..Matters in which his voice should be heard, he's silent..He is not credible enough to decide what's best for the Jamaican Economy, and that which might / "or might not be beneficial to the People of Jamaica: He would be more reckognized trying to pressure the administration into creating a equal educational system for all:

2/25/2010

Look who is talking?

wesley Henry
2/25/2010

I live in Canada where there are several casinos & these are the problems that are normally associated with most:
1. Addiction: Gambling is so addictive people even gamble their house. One man who own a plaza gambled it & lost it all in one night.
2. Suicide: Lots of Canadians and visitors kill themselves after loosing it all.
3. Prostitution: Where there are casinos U always have prostitutes. When a guys wins he wants to celebrate
4. Alcohol addiction: People get high either after loss or win.
5. Depression: People get depressed after a loss even if they are rich
6. Crime: Lots of crime inside & outside the casinos. There are more security sometimes more than patrons.
7> Waste of police time: The police is constantly called there when they could be securing else where.
I heard one man said when they check out how many extra police they have to put on the streets to police it, its just not worth it and Jamaica already have crime problems. Mr. Thwaites is right: gambling does not produce anything, it only takes away people's hard working money. If U spend money at a grocery store U get food, at a bar U get liquor at a casino only about 10 out of every 100 persons get something & God bless what some of them win

Omar Newell
2/25/2010

I agree with the regularizing casino gambling (which is already present in Jamaica). That being said, I support a vigorous debate on the pros and cons (not the emotional hoopla). Let's here your point Mr. Thwaites.

john blake
2/25/2010

When since we are so skeptical about where money comes from? He who lives in or near a glass house should be wary of throwing stones. A "Lotto" house needed to be placed in order before the casino one. Some hypocrites publicly criticise money, but private do unethical things to get their hands on it. Talk about hypocrites without integrity.

blandel witter
2/25/2010

That is right Steve if the us,canada and the bahamas has it then it must be right this is why jamaica is in the condition it is. We adopt the bad from other countries but not the good. Gambling is wrong no matter how many countries or people does it I agree with you Mr. Thwaites.

2/25/2010

Why the Catholic Church allow Bingo on thier property if gambling is that bad, isn't this also a game of chance, come on Deacon be real.

Cliff Cox
2/25/2010

Thank God for a voice in the wilderness, we need at least one sensible opinion on this debate, whose sole purpose is not how much money they can make on the side for themselves at the demise of the masses.
Blessings Mr. Thwaites

Steve Allen
2/25/2010

Whoever is there as the GG just signed it and let it become law. If the Casino is runed by the Government , the people of Jamaica will benefit from it, the money from it will return to the people. But if the money will be sent out of the country , then it won`t make any sense to have it.
The USA , Canada the Bahamas all have Casino, so go for it Jamaica.
I live in Canada and we have no problem with Casino. The people here love it.
Ronnie dosen`t know what he is talking about.

Hope Western
2/25/2010

Fight on Ronnie. The majority is not always right.
The GG will conveniently leave the island and the acting GG (the Custos of Kingston or St. Andrew) will sign on his behalf.

JA Cynic
2/25/2010

The once Head of the SDA is now the GG of Jamaica whose signature is required if this bit of legislation is to become law. Will the GG affix his signature to an Act that apparently would conflict with the fundamental principles of a religion of which he was (until recently) the lead representative in J amaica?
Leadership is required; principle needs to prevail especially in these trying times.
JA Cynic

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Ronnie Thwaites fights lone battle against casinos