Localization of gambling?

Localization of gambling?

From Media Indonesia

As far as legalizing local gambling activities goes, this idea is heresy in religious terms and threatens our moral standards.

It is heresy because the idea is against Islamic teachings, which prohibit all forms of gambling. It is misleading because the lay public may think that gambling is justifiable as long as it is localized.

In this way, the same belief may follow that prostitution can be justified as long as it is localized and the health of sex workers is maintained. Corruption, meanwhile, is all right if the money gained is for members' welfare, and so forth.

Those supporting gambling legalization have the classic argument that gambling dens produce revenue for the state treasuries and that such activities are difficult to ban.

In fact, gambling is deemed illegitimate by religious norms and must therefore be eliminated rather than localized or camouflaged in lotteries. The government should try to increase its revenue from legitimate sources.

SUKANTO Jakarta