As numerous municipalities throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto consider the development of a large scale casino, Cardinal Collins has prepared a pastoral letter to the catholic community on gaming, gambling & casinos. The archdiocese has also prepared a website: www.archtoronto.org/gaming with additional resources, questions for reflection and assistance for those who may be struggling with a gambling addiction. May we join together in offering our prayers and support for the most vulnerable among us.

Additional questions for us to consider in our own personal reflection: Have I utilized income or savings to support gaming while letting bills go unpaid? Have I or a loved one felt depressed or suicidal due to losses related to gaming? How often do I gamble longer than planned? Does this habit have a negative impact on responsible use of my time, family commitments, and presence to others? Does our parish, school or Catholic organization rely heavily on profits from “high stakes” gambling to support our activities?

As our elected officials consider the path forward, we are invited to join in the dialogue, considering the following: Have we fully considered the negative effects of problem gambling on our citizens and do we judge it acceptable to inflict more of these costs? Who is ultimately responsible for the social costs of such a development: gambling addiction, prostitution, crime, etc. Are we underestimating the overall “costs” to strengthening our communities and families? Is a casino the most appropriate way to address fiscal stress in our community? To what degree should we/will we become reliant on this revenue stream?