Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo moments ago underscored the government’s commitment to working closely with religious organisations to break the back of pressing social issues, particularly the rising occurrence of chronic gambling in communities across the country.
The Vice-President revealed that faith-based leaders have already raised concerns with the government about the harmful impact of gambling.
“They believe that it’s a social ill that’s creating many problems within the family. People go to these little places, the shops in their communities, and all day long, on their phone, thinking about some credit to put in a bet,” he said.
Jagdeo lamented the fact that many parents and guardians are shortchanging their children, depriving them of school clothes and other essential things.
“Something has to be done about it, and we intend to do something about it,” Jagdeo declared.
He warned that gambling has begun to change the very nature of communities. “Some people don’t even want to work. They live for that little credit on their phone to place a bet. I know some people in the public service, they do it too and there it goes. We have to disincentivise it.
People can’t accumulate money like that. You’re going to lose your money. If you gamble, you lose. Don’t worry about people who say you win money there. You always lose in the long run. You always lose your money, rather than investing it in your family or your future,” he advised.
