Gambling and hospital lotteries: looking out for losers

Regarding Dr. John Fletcher's article on Canada's Hosps. muscling in on the Gambling industry; I am in complete agreement with Doctor, the Hospitals should leave these gamblers to the tender mercies of traditional groups, racetracks,Government Lotteries and Casinos! After all the Hospitals Lotteries offer good odds at winning and will only do good works with their profits. They may buy X ray units or God forbid MRI's or reno old buildings, not the accepted use of gambling proceeds.

Gambling addicts they say need the excitement of the game,as they excitedly watch as they lose, can you imagine their delight at purchasing a ticket in a Hospital Lottery, waiting two weeks to get their ticket and then the unbridled enthusiasm waiting months for their lucky number to be drawn. I am sure a routine such as this must be a magnet for addicted gamblers the immediacy, the fast moving pace of their game.

They have 'great expectations' this lot, and will wait as long as it takes to experience the sudden rush of the game.

Until we can stop this terrible encouragement we can only hope that Drs.'will write about Addiction treatment and things that they know something about.

Conflict of Interest:

None declared