The Irrational Fear of Casinos in Stravaraland

Year after year for the last 15 years we have witnessed discussions/studies/fights about whether casinos should be allowed to operate in Stravaraland. The (potentially justified) fear concerns the natural tendency of the Cypriot man to gamble the family fortunes away. In such a world the state should come in and paternally look after the Cypriot man by removing the temptation that is called casino.

Since April 2003 though, the discussion has become irrelevant because the true hard core Cypriot man can cross the border and not only gamble, but gamble and party in anonymity. This same Cypriot man can even gamble away the most popular institutions of the land like the recently lost popular taverna in Strovolos.

But take a look around next time you are in any populated part of Stravaraland. Is there any doubt that the willing gambler can find the relevant Eurosport gambling place or the local kafene institution to gamble the family fortune away? Is there any doubt that the more sophisticated among us can log on the internet and gamble away till kingdom come? Is there any doubt that the advertising done by OPAP or the Cypriot government for their respective gambling games is actually encouraging gambling? And if all these are legally allowed to operate in Stravaraland, is it not true that the fear of having some government-regulated (thus tax-paying, non-taverna accepting) casinos in Stravaraland is irrational?

originally posted by Apodimos Kypreos