Last weekend with all the festivities and Super Bowl parties going on, one particular party was cut short via a police raid. I am not condoning the actions of illegal gaming or organizations that exploit others for profit but let’s look at this a little closer. The media publicly stated the bad guys were caught and almost $3 million dollars was confiscated from the banquet hall in Markham.

In the meantime our municipal government is entertaining proposals to legitimize gaming in downtown Toronto by courting companies who will convert the downtown core with a Casino and entertainment complex with the promise of attracting the coveted tourist. In my opinion, many cities are trying to do the same thing. Thus when government looks toward gambling as a means of collecting revenue for the city coffers, the initial construction boom is always welcome. It is their approach to the social ramifications which end up destroying families that confuses me.

The solutions I have seen are, 1-800 # or a commercial that states, “know your limit stay within it”. Unfortunately, the back room deals will continue as the creativity leaves the senses of the people we elect for the easy money and methods employed. The legitimization of illegal activities has become nothing new, as today governments are also considering legalizing marijuana, for example.

Did you know in the 1800’s, heroin was sold as an over the counter remedy to cure aches and pains, until the big pharma companies monopolized it for profit. Today we can also question if in fact there is a cure for cancer?

Regardless of what the media reports by labelling groups as illegal organizations or activities as illegal, my question remains who are the real crooks? What happens to the $3 million dollars that was confiscated? Did you get a tax break? Simply put there must be accountability and transparency within all our public institutions.

Sincerely-Philip Magnoli, my friends call me Don Filippo-The FX Specialist- www.donfilippo.ca

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