Here in the States, the casino plague is reaching epidemic proportions as an alarming number of our government officials who see an easy way to fill their coffers have gotten in bed with this so-called industry that they peddle as entertainment. In my home town of Philadelphia, we are past debating the merits of gambling. The passage of our gaming law in early July means that soon there will be stand-alone slot parlors in our major cities and slot machines at racetracks, and it won’t be long before we have blackjack, roulette, craps, and other games. That's a definite. But we can take steps now, and so can the citizens of Britain. I gave testimony to a public committee on gambling in Pennsylvania. Knowing that the deck was stacked, I presented a range of safeguards - such as no 24/7 operations, no free drinks, no ATMs on the premises and no credit provision - so that the next generation of gamblers will be aware of the blind items that this gaming industry uses to seduce their prey. Casinos should also issue monthly statements. Reward cards allow them to track the amount of money and time customers spend gambling, so there is no reason why statements cannot be produced. This way, people bordering on compulsive gambling would be able to see the costs of their "entertainment" - and their spouses would have access to the information, too. Bill Kearney, Philadelphia

My wife and I strongly object to the Government's proposals to relax further restrictions on gambling. Large numbers of people are already "hooked" on gambling, with disastrous effects on their families and friends, and the last thing the British people need is Government measures to aggravate these situations, as well as other negative effects on society. Ian Sandeman, Plymouth

The statement that casinos increase gambling addiction and the facts used to prove that claim are often incorrect or misleading. Addiction is a product of personality and psychological make-up. Almost all addicts of any type show signs of compulsive addictive behaviour before their addiction becomes a full-blown problem. The concept "play with in your means" has no appeal as wishful thinking is the main drive. They bring these traits to the casino rather than develop them because of it. V Arnold, Ontario, Canada

Ten years ago, when the South Australian government allowed the introduction of computer-programed electronic gambling machines (EGMs) to our one casino, there were 2,500 problem gamblers in the state. Within five years of the introduction, there were 23,000 of them - an almost ten fold increase. Ninety per cent of the 23,000 problem gamblers we have in the state experience problems only with EGMs. I was one of those people who became addicted to playing the machines. I was 40 when I first came into contact with them. I had never previously exhibited signs of gambling addiction. Five years after quitting them, I am now able to understand how it was that I became dysfunctional and self-destructive. I played the machines believing I would be able to gamble on them without problems. Surely, I reasoned, the government wouldn't legalise them if they were harmful. They did - and the UK government is about to do the same. All they see are the dollar signs. These machines are designed to addict. They are cognitively manipulative and behaviourally conditioning - they are not benign forms of entertainment. Trust me - I know how people can change just by "playing" a machine in a casino. Sue Pinkerton, Para Hills, South Australia

Regarding the vulnerability to addiction, it is of course true that personality contributes, but it is also about the ease of access to the addictive material (e.g. the incidence of alcoholism is directly related to ease of access to alcohol either by price or opening hours). The establishment of casinos in this country is merely the next step from the National Lottery and is largely a tax on the poor. It exploits the economically and psychologically vulnerable and is justified by the revenue it brings to local councils. No government seems brave or honest enough to raise taxes! Angus Bell, Guisborough

The idea that an extra 300,000 "problem" gamblers will arise because of the introduction of 100 super sized casinos throughout the UK is totally bonkers. That means than 3,000 people, per casino, will suddenly become hooked on slot machines. Over 25,000 new jobs will be created as a direct result of these casinos being allowed to operate. The MGM, in Las Vegas, employes this many alone. If a new industry could create this many jobs then it should be welcomed with open arms. All these puritans should go back to doing what they're good at... moaning! Mark Strahan, Middlesex

How far will this governent go to shore up it's failing policies that are costing us a fortune? We are going to suffer gambling dens on every street corner just so the councils and government can rake off more millions. The people who are pushing for the relaxation of our gambling laws don't give a damn about anything but money and couldnt care less about community. Tony Walker, Warrington

I am amazed that any government can be so crazy as to want to promote casinos. I am not a spoilsport and have enjoyed the odd visit to casinos but we do not need them all over the country - people in this country already owe trillions of pounds in debt this will not alleviate it only increase it. Marion Hebblethwaite

Having worked in a "Las Vegas-style" casino in South Africa as a croupier and in a UK casino as a barman, I can honestly say that "Las Vegas-style" casinos are not the answer. The current UK ones are a much better system. And for anyone concerned about their pockets, these are just another stealth tax if there ever was one. Millions being paid to councils as well as a percentage of profits. Where does all this money come from? The people! Michael Thompson, Preston

This proposal is from the government that told us last week we were not saving enough for our pensions. So are we to be encouraged now to have a flutter instead, to prepare for old age? Graham Weeks, Greenford

I lived in the USA for 10 years (1991 -2000) and no matter how you spin it, gambling (legal or illegal) will result in a trash culture and dumbing down of the local community; thousands of people with gambling debts who may resort to crime to repay them; and the attraction of low lifes and prostitution. Evidence? Las Vegas. Alex Blok, London

Having just returned from my third trip in four years to Las Vegas, I take issue with the description of the proposed developements as "Las Vegas-style". Both the Las Vegas strip and Downtown have a large number of casinos all competing for the punters dollars. This means that they supply cheap hotel rooms, cheap food and good, glitzy, often free, entertainment. The "resorts" that are proposed in the UK wiil not have this level of competition and, I suspect, will be more targeted at separating the punter from his pound rather than providing all round entertainment and value for money. What the description "Las Vegas-style" really means is "big". Keith Madden, Chester-le-Street

I lived 3km from the Buswood Casino in Perth, Australia. The issues caused by the introduction of this casino to Perth amazed me. The levels of problem gamblers increased dramatically as did crime committed to fund the addiction. What suprised me most of all was the number of women who became addicted to the gaming machines. For some reason these machines appeal more to women. Ultimately, the casino simply took money from the poor and fed it to the government and to the rich. That is not what I consider good government policy. Guy Reid, Putney

Like so many others, I am appalled at the prospect of the proliferation of casinos. One can almost see the local councils drooling at the mouth at the prospect of all that money coming into their coffers from the gambling houses. It would be pointless for me to repeat the objections from readers already published as they describe exactly how I feel. Let it suffice that I add my voice to theirs. Christine McLean, Sutton

It's rather amusing to see the Church opposed to relaxing the laws on gambling, when it could be argued that their entire raison d'etre is based upon gambling one's life on the infinitesimal odds against their bet of a supreme being and an everlasting afterlife. How many people in this country alone are addicted to religion with zero chance of a celestial payout? John Thomaides, Wilmslow

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