20 ways how to F—k up an economy! Number 19 – Take a gamble on the Economy By our Local NT Government. (witnessed and written about by me, a lowly peasant, oops I mean citizen, but I don't want to steal their limelight, they did all the work... proudly.) Don’t get me wrong, continuously I’ve discussed economic factors and events with several sitting and aspiring politicians and pundits from both sides of the isle. To say Holes and Homes is their main concern would be an understatement, but forgiving the lack of economic and financial intelligence by both the local bureaucracy and the ignorant presented for us to vote for, what we have seen is that they can’t even get the Mining and Housing sector right, so we didn’t stand much of a chance for anything else. For those blaming either side for the problems, I say, they have both been as bad as each other, but given that we currently have a government with a massive, albeit, unstoppable majority of 18 members and an opposition of 2, this current government could really make some changes to fix things, but lets reflect first on both sides F-ups. I’m releasing one of these at a time, then I’ll provide 20 ways they might make some positive changes, so in the new year we might be able to re-invigorate our currently sitting government to get back to work and maybe represent the people again, as most who know me can attest, I have a critical mind, with a positive outlook. Number 19 - Reliance on Gaming revenue The NT government for most of my life has been continuously and increasingly reliant on gaming revenue as a source of income. Having worked a third of my working life in the gaming industry it comes as no surprise that some would call any negative perception to be hypocritical, due to the wealth, income and experience I gained from this industry. I believe strongly in principled and responsible, accountability. I believe the man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you are looking to take away a mans livelihood, you owe it to him to understand his situation, his life, his career, to look him in the eye and to explain clearly why this career needs to be extinguished, if I could not bear to do that, then I could not tell you that this industry deserves to die. Many reports have cited the difficulty in separating economic impacts from social influences, they have cited the social impacts as the most difficult for researchers to measure scientifically, economically its not so difficult. Most studies have shown that casino gambling may be correlated with substantial rises in the following "social deviations" - domestic violence, divorce, bankruptcy, drug and alcohol abuse, risky or illicit sexual behavior, prostitution, predatory money lending, criminal activity and problem gambling. Community elders in Darwin and surrounding communities interviewed in the Territory in the late 90’s raised family issues and child neglect as major contributing factors why gambling should not be approved or escalated in the Territory. Their views were ignored. The rising need of social services, child protective services and marriage counselling due to gambling is well documented in the Northern territory. So why have progressive and consecutive Governments continuously increased gaming venues and gaming machines and increased the proliferation of gambling in the NT? Its about the money! Our government just doesn’t give enough of a crap about us to make the hard and wise decisions to have a positive impact on our lives, if it will hurt their bottom line or take lobbyist payments and contributions away from their campaigns. The great philosophers, psychologists and psychiatrists and sociologists of the last 150 years from Nietzsche to Webber have all described the malevolent addiction that humans seek in games of chance, and the costs to both society, and economics is well proven. I have been educated in both the gaming economic and psychological education through marketing, spatial economics and timing that allow me to describe, explain and teach those seeking a career in gaming either as a lumpy (trainee Croupier) for all the major games or as a manager. I have spoken in conference and to a large crowd on the skills, calculations and psychology of winning for the house. The house does not lose if the correct Casino formula are implemented. The property may be devalued, the market may shrink through over supply or over netting the Junkets, but if the rules are followed the house never loses. If you want to hurt any economy install gambling as a form of recreational release, the odds for success are unbeatable.
