Gambling loses it soul to the online trade

Feodor Dostoyevsky's novella “The Gambler” documents in detail his psychological addiction to the gaming tables of Paris and Baden-Baden. The addiction had a crushing effect on himself and his wife and held him in virtual exile for years.

The 19th Century Russian novelist was a compulsive gambler, bound to his addiction which cost him huge sums of money. However, what set  Dostoyevsky from gamblers across the globe was the  genius and insight he had into his condition which impresses behavioural psychologists even today.

Arguably,  Dostoyevsky's novella would not have been so compelling had he not been a gambler himself as he portrayed so clearly the human traits of avarice and shame, proving that casinos are human institutions that can inspire great literature.

Place Dostoyevsky in front of a computer screen and give him access to the online gaming world and likely he would be every bit the addict but he would be without the ability to portray so remarkably gambling as a metaphor for the human condition in the candlelit casinos of 19th Century Europe. Highlighting how internet gambling lacks in human interaction and leads to alienation and isolation.  

This casino versus online gaming debate has arisen due to Ontario's decision to launch an online “gaming” site, aimed to go live in 2012. $400 million are currently spent on out of province gaming sites and it is believed the development of this new gaming market with prevent this from occurring.

Ontario Lottery and Gaming chair Paul Godfrey stated, “OLG’s Internet gaming program will stress responsible gaming while providing an enjoyable experience for Ontario players.” However, it is fair to say those who already find casino gambling a pleasure too much to resist will doubtlessly be the players that increase revenues. The drive of “soulless” online gambling leads to a world where people “interact” with nothing but their computer screens and their swivel chairs.