There are many reasons why BC should resist opening up to private online gambling companies. A key factor involves the speed of gambling addiction and the harm associated with gambling. Gambling products as well as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana – are legalized and regulated by the government because despite their popularity among Canadians, they are addictive and cause all kinds of harm when overdoing them. As far as alcohol is concerned, the World Health Organization recently recognized that monopoly control is beneficial to public health. The hazards associated with gambling include financial stress, poor credit ratings, bankruptcy, relationship and employment issues, and a significant increase in risk of suicide.
