By Roy Sanford, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
WITH THE renewed call for the introduction of casino gambling on the island there are conflicting opinions on the matter among religious and political leaders in the resort city of Montego Bay.
Religious leaders have reiterated that casino gaming is 'not scriptural' and contrary to Christian teachings while political leaders argue that it is a viable option that needs to be explored in light of the nation's ailing economy.
"The purpose of gambling is to provide wealth and this is not the means by which the Bible teaches that wealth is to be acquired," declared Calvin Brown, pastor of Weslyan Holiness Church in Montego Bay. He argued that "wealth is to be acquired by honest labour."
However, Noel Donaldson, Mayor of Montego Bay, said the issue was worth considering. "It has the potential to create jobs and to lend a wider variety in terms of what we have to offer through our tourist industry," he told The Gleaner yesterday.
Mr. Donaldson's opinion is supported by Dr. Horace Chang, Member of Parliament for St. James north west.
He said: "The country should consider giving casino licenses to selected entities and control and monitor these so that it is confined only to the resort areas. Casino will add to the entertainment activities of resort areas like Montego Bay."
Last Thursday, Winston Dear, President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industries, reopened the age-old debate on casino gambling, urging the Government to stop "pussyfooting" around with the issue and introduce it as a means of propping up the economy.
Historically Jamaica's churches have firmly opposed the idea of casino gaming. In 1962, the Rt. Rev. Percival Gibson, the late Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, was the first to publicly reject it by stating that organised gambling and all forms of gambling were contrary to the Christian way of life and detrimental to society.
NOT CHANGED
Howard Gregory, Anglican Suffragan Bishop of Montego Bay, said the Church's position has not changed, adding that the nation's leaders must be more creative in finding ways to attract visitors to Jamaica.
"I don't see it as the solution for the way forward as most people think," he said yesterday. "Our leaders must look at what is happening and find other ways to attract people to Jamaica," he added.
Dr. Chang said that while he understands the Church's stance on the issue, it must be realised that the idea of casinos being controlled by the Mafia is long gone. "Casino is part of the tourist trade, it is basically entertainment and it can contribute positively to the tourism industry," he noted.
