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The screams, the shouts, the sadness, which followed ... the sin. Every Saturday morning, while the dew was still on the ground, these were the sounds coming from my neighbour's house. The nine-year old girl that lived there with her mother, father, three brothers and baby sister also happened to be my best friend. My eyes still well with tears whenever I think of those dark and sad days. What led to this gloom? My friend's father and his dastardly habit of gambling! My best friend's father, normally a very nice man, would gamble his week's wages away every Friday evening. Imagine, his week's wages, gone . . . puff, bye-bye. No food could be brought, no rent could be paid, we still had 'shillinie' meters, and so a few shillings would be scraped up to keep the lights on. I'm sure Mr. X thought 'this weekend' would be the 'winning one'; he must have really thought he could win this week; but alas, no such luck!

He took yet another 'gamble' and lost; now awakening on yet another Saturday morning, after another Friday night at one of Bermuda's many gambling dens during that time, the shame of gambling and losing, now having to face his wife and children, he must have felt nothing but humiliation, shame and guilt; which the physical emotions those feelings invariably bring about are always hurled at the innocent victims; the mother and children, hence the screams and commotion at that house every weekend. What a way to live. But you see, whenever anything becomes an addiction, it becomes a monster and all involved are losers. Gambling must be condemned due to its adverse impact on families and its tendency to lead to addiction as such was the case of my dear childhood.

How could gambling be good in any sense of the word? Research the word in the dictionary, and its very meaning is dubious. Gambling is frowned upon by most religions. Albert Einstein famously said, "God does not play dice with the universe." If God isn't a gambler, are his followers?

The following is a quote from a resident of Nevada, where gaming is allowed: "Whilst gambling has its benefits, we do not pay state tax, etc. Gambling is illogical and tends to prey on those who can least afford it. Deception is used to obscure the steep odds and push the 'get rich quick' angle. Greed is encouraged, and self-control is discouraged. Seems less than kind and very unproductive."

Islam regards gambling as having less benefit then good. Allah said ... "(Say: In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men.)" As for the harm that the drinking and gambling cause, it effects the religion. As for their benefit, it is material, including benefit for the body, digesting the food, getting rid of waste, sharpening the mind, bringing about a joyous sensation and financially benefiting from their sale. Also, (their benefit includes) earnings through gambling that one uses to spend on his family and on himself. Yet, these benefits are outweighed by the clear harm that they cause which affects the mind and the religion. This is why Allah said in Surah 2:219 ..."They ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: "In them there is great sin; the sin of them is greater than their benefit."

Whilst it is a known fact that alcoholic beverages can contain health benefits, as well as gambling can bring about some good, their evil outweighs the good, and thus God has strictly prohibited them. However, Omar wanted a clearer ruling and asked, "O Allah! Give us a clear ruling regarding these" Hence soon after, Allah sent down a clear prohibition of drinking and gambling in Surat Al-Ma'idah219 "O you who believe! Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks), and gambling are an abomination of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful. Shaytan wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allah and from As-Salah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?)" (5:90, 91)

Bermuda, study all you like, and in all your studying, only adversity will be found. Gambling or gaming in a few places has brought its revenues, however, despite all efforts to restrain gaming within the boundaries of the tourist dollar only has failed, hence the financial revenue and the moral revenue bare no resemblance. Rather then spend on a feasibility study, why not invest in pure and stable revenue like implementing a theme park, a water park or something similar, that will attract and be of benefit to both locals and tourists.

Gaming is too risky; along with gambling comes other ancillary evils, such as prostitution, drugs, brawls, robbery, retaliation, murder and the list goes on.

Maybe it would be a good idea to study the ill effects of gambling, ... let's study that and remember that gambling is indeed 'Misfortune's' other name ... just ask the family of my best friend.

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