The local residents who expressed concern on the radio about the casino were mostly worried that traffic levels would increase. Perhaps. But there's a whole lot more at stake than congestion.
The Globe and Mail had a live chat with an expert on gambling from the University of Lethbridge. I was pleased he pointed out something that the people worried about more cars (and also the politicians who support revenue generating proposal), probably hadn't thought of.
"It is true that all government revenue is used for the good of the people. However, the important thing to remember about gambling is that it is a type of industry that simply involves a transfer of wealth, not a creation of weath (e.g., as you would have in a manufacturing industry). Hence, all this new revenue and employment has to come from other parts of the Ontario economy. The primary economic losers would be a) neighbouring casinos and slots at racetracks, b) other retail businesses in the Toronto area, and c) the citizens and city of Toronto, if the revenue contributed is not returned in equal measure in terms of provincial services. Furthermore, although there would be some economic gains for the very local area, this transfer of wealth creates social costs in terms of increased rates of addiction and a small increase in crime."
He continues,
"Only last point I would want to make concerns where the money is coming from. Governments always correctly point to where the money goes (i.e., to support education, heatlh care, infrastructure, and other good causes). However, we cannot ignore where the money comes from. Research shows that 1/3 of Ontario govt gambling revenue comes from gambling addicts (a much higher percentage just for casinos). Thus, raising money in this way become a potentially ethically problematic enterprise"
