Should governments fund gambling?

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne has pledged $400-million in new funding over the next five years to help preserve the horse-racing industry in Ontario after the government's decision to cancel a slot-machine revenue-sharing deal last year. Should governments be responsible for propping up gambling at racetracks?

Thomas Bink: I'm opposed to horse racing in general, so this one's really easy for me. Yes, I understand that there is a horse-racing industry. And yes, I understand that there are many jobs dependent on that industry. But am I missing something? I thought gambling was supposed to be a cash cow. Funding gambling seems asinine, and horse racing is cruel. So I don't agree with this on any level.

Matthew Coutts: I can’t keep track of whether this government is coming or going. They make changes to the province’s gambling industry strategy that puts racetracks in danger and then comes out with a cash infusion. Best to leave well enough alone, I think. Look, I don’t have a problem with horse racing myself, but I can’t seem to figure out how it is the government’s place to fund the “Sport of Kings.” Like Tom said, gambling is supposed to be a cash cow for provincial coffers. Meaning money comes in, not out. They decided casinos were the cash cow they wanted to milk. What happened to that?

[ Full story: Ontario to provide up to $400 million for horse racing industry ]

Andy Radia: Haven't you guys ever heard the saying "it takes money to make money?" Short term pain for long-term gain? The Sport of Kings needs public investment to be revitalized. This is an industry that creates a pretty significant economic impact: It employs 30,000 full-time equivalents, creates indirect jobs on the farm and is part of the province's over all gambling strategy. The public investment is expected to buoy private investment and help the industry grow. And, with Ontario's current financial situation, can we really ignore 30,000-plus jobs?

Bink: Right, I get the fact that there is an "industry" at stake here … an industry based on cruelty to animals, but I'll leave my PETA rant for another day. Actually, no I won't. We're a civilized society, and like bullfighting, horse racing is an outdated, barbaric mode of entertainment. If we want to invest money into creating jobs, why not look forward like focusing on the technology sector or green energy? If people want to gamble, they can go online. Clearly if this industry is in trouble, gamblers aren't going to the racetracks. And that's a good thing. It will save 300+ horses being unnecessarily killed each year.

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Coutts: I don’t know, guys. I can see the validity of your points but just can’t cosign. I don’t see horse racing in the same light as bullfighting or cock fighting, where the point is animal cruelty. So I can’t reject the idea of the government funding the industry on those grounds. But at the same time, there is a reason the sport is out of favour. Regardless of its regal history, horse racing is not a sport, or an industry, that I think must survive. Ontario redesigned its gambling strategy once, presumably with that thought in mind. Now it is going back. Saving jobs is great, but the government can’t spend money to save every industry. If the government wants to prop up an industry, how about newspapers? Or how about the cattle industry? Damn vegans will leave us with no need to produce beef before too long.

Radia: Look, I hear you guys. I often use this space to rail against governments for wasting taxpayer dollars. And, in the middle- to long-term — if the industry can't sustain itself, then it's time to let it go. But in an era of high unemployment, in the short-term the government has little choice but to try and save 30,000 direct jobs! And I sympathize with your argument about the poor horses Tom, but that's a tough fight for you to win without talking about all the public money that goes to support our farmers.

Bink: Harumph. I'll wager this will end up as just another waste of taxpayer dollars that they'll be reviewing again in a couple years. Note that I managed to make that bet without driving to a track or putting a horse in harm's way.

So, what do you think? Have your say in the comments area below.