LETTER: Gamblers don’t live in casino resort towns
This letter argues that legalizing gambling on Guam is unwise, as most gamblers aren't residents and gambling addiction harms communities.Summary
The author contends that legalizing gambling on Guam would be detrimental, drawing parallels to experiences in Nevada and Saipan. The core argument is that most gamblers are tourists, not residents, and the social costs of gambling addiction – including drug use, prostitution, and crime – outweigh any potential economic benefits. The author cites Nevada statistics showing a high rate of gambling addiction among residents and highlights the strain on social services. Furthermore, Guam's small, financially vulnerable population is ill-equipped to handle the negative consequences of legalized gambling, referencing a personal anecdote of a woman pleading with police to arrest her husband who was gambling away their paycheck. The author concludes that Guam's existing economic struggles and drug addiction problems cannot support legalized gambling.
(Source：Guam Daily News)