Can you recall the last time you heard something positive being mentioned about online gambling?

May it be sports betting or online kaszino gaming, the gambling industry is always perceived from a negative perspective. But the truth of the matter is most function as they are supposed but are ignored until something bad happens. After this, people take the “if it bleeds, it leads” approach, focusing mostly on problematic gambling and other social harms associated with the industry.

This paints every player involved in the gambling industry as part of the problem, although all regulated markets function well and are 100% safe and secure.

But gambling, both online and offline, is a significant contributor to the country’s economy and culture. In countries such as the UK, USA, Portugal, Germany, Qatar, and Japan, operators are leveraging their economic powers to educate the general public on the social benefits of gambling responsibly. Here are some of the highlights or positives they have been addressing.

Preservation of Heritage

Some gambling establishments worldwide have a long and rich history that will interest many – gamblers and regular people alike. For example, if you look at Casino de Monte-Carlo, it is one of the oldest gambling facilities in the world, with more than 150 years old. The establishment has also hosted popular films such as James Bond’s Casino Royale, Never Say Never Again, and GoldenEye. It has also been featured in the movie – Ocean’s Twelve – one with popular movie stars such as George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Robert, and many more. Such an establishment and many more in Europe have a rich heritage that locals and tourists can learn from.

Cultural Exchange

Every country has its unique culture. Monuments, traditional costumes, architecture, dances, and songs are part and parcel of any culture. Even within a country, you will realize there are different cultures. Traveling to other countries or cities is always a nice way to learn a thing or two about that region’s culture. Using Casino de Monte-Carlo as an example, it is usually part of the Monaco Grand Prix, which has been happening since 1929. Therefore, when planning to travel to the event, and if you fancy gambling, certain events at the casino usually happen every year that have been happening since time immemorial, and they are usually open to everyone to participate in.

Support for Local Businesses

Another important social benefit of gambling is increased patronage for local businesses, including bars, resorts, restaurants, hotels, and so on. As more people visit the region in search of a legitimate gambling experience, there is an increase in demand for certain services, especially in the hospitality industry. This will automatically lead to the growth of the hospitality industry.

If you want to see the impact of closing down casinos, you can refer to the lockdown period. Cities such as Las Vegas lost billions due to the closure of land-based casinos, which are the city’s main attraction. Some hotels, resorts, and bars closed their doors and have never been able to open back.

Provision of Social Services

Increased tourism means more facilities/infrastructure to cater to the visitors’ needs. This usually means massive development of the area. You will often see more buildings, repairs of the roads, sewage systems, bus services, and many more. In some regions, it’s a requirement that social amenities accompany the construction of any major casino establishment. This way, the already available systems are not strained, which can lead to poor service delivery.

Reduces Negative Impacts on Mental Health

Many of us are aware that interaction with other human beings leads to better mental health. People who are more socially active tend to have a better mental state than those with poor social skills. During the lockdown period, very many people were affected after they were cut from their day-to-day routines. To cope with the problem, many switched to playing live dealer games, where they could interact with people from other parts of the world. While this ultimately led to others getting addicted to gambling, others said it helped them beat issues such as anxiety, depression, and general stress.

Therefore, it’s easy to conclude that gambling facilities are crucial for helping people unwind after a busy day or stressful situation. Not only just during gameplay but also while interacting with other players at the casino.

Summary

All in all, gambling is a massive industry that impacts all parts of our day-to-day lives. It doesn’t matter whether you are playing online or at a local casino. There are many effects – which can be positive or negative. If you consider the social effects, you will appreciate that it can promote tourism, improve people’s mental health, support local businesses, and provide social services.

Dublin City University (DCU) has recently finished the initial phase of a €3 million upgrade to Morton Stadium in Santry, the national athletics stadium.

This redevelopment initiative showcases an impressive array of facilities, including a brand-new indoor and outdoor track, upgraded high-performance gym and changing rooms, improved drainage, cross-track electric power outlets, new fencing, and stand seating. Additionally, the project encompassed an IT system replacement and the delivery of new track and field equipment.

Professor Daire Keogh, President of DCU, expressed his pride in the redevelopment of Morton Stadium, emphasizing the world-class tracks and training facilities that have been delivered. He stated that the enhanced national stadium would greatly benefit Irish athletics at all levels.

DCU has set its sights on developing the national stadium as a valuable national asset, prioritizing the best possible user experience for athletes, coaches, spectators, academics, sports scientists, and media personnel. The university was granted a 40-year lease of the stadium by Fingal County Council in May 2022 and has committed to phased investments to ensure the facilities are fit for their intended purpose.

Future phases of the project will involve the development of the East Stand, offering office and meeting spaces along with additional spectator areas. This section will also include versatile rooms for seminars and meetings, serving as a hub for coaches and athletes to analyze performance. Further plans include expanding the indoor training area and upgrading the West Stand. An application has been submitted to World Athletics to certify the new track as a Class II World Athletics venue.

Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland, expressed delight at the collaborative efforts with DCU, Sport Ireland, Fing