Voxpop

Mark Kerr Jarrett, businessman:

I disagree with gambling. I believe any venture that requires one person to lose for the other to gain is inequitable. However, having said that, the regulations have been passed … . It is something that had to be done because the Government had given its commitment to foreign investors.

Dr Beverly Scott, child and family therapist and Seventh-day Pentecostal Church pastor:

Gambling is a compulsion, and for me, it is just like the illegal use of cocaine, ganja, alcohol, and any other such substance. So if you legalise gambling, the others can be legitimised as well.

One who gambles and wins will always want to win more; those who lose their money will want to win it back. From what I have seen, people who gamble never have sufficient for their families.

Godfrey Dyer, businessman:

Having passed the act in 2010 and taken the steps to attract investors, it should not have taken so long for the regulation to be passed. It raises questions about how serious we are about casino gaming.

What I am sure about is that casino gaming will not be a panacea. I would love to see the contents of the regulation because it can be a major attraction and big-money earner for Jamaica if certain safeguards are put in place.

Bishop Terrence Gordon, overseer of the Door of Faith, Church of God Circuit of Churches:

Anything that is not of God's standard and that affects family life cannot bring prosperity to a nation. We have the ideal resources to create wealth and jobs without turning to an attraction that takes away from one to enrich another.

Casinos cannot be the answer for Montego Bay or Jamaica. In fact, this might only lead to further decline … . What the nation needs to do is to turn to God.

Lee Bailey, businessman:

I am for the casino because it adds another dimension to the tourism product, but if the nation believes casinos will be the great Messiah for Jamaica, then we are in for a big surprise.

Casinos take away from communities, not bring into communities as some believe, and there must be available visitors with available resources for it to succeed.