Sports betting is an interesting topic. Some are against it, especially the Penang and Selangor state governments. Their rationale is that it encourages more gambling and this will affect families and ruin their finances. That's possible as most hardcore gamblers are always dreaming of fast and easy money.

These are the people who cannot control their emotions when it comes to gambling. These people are not gambling for fun – they are trying to make a fast buck. They are not gambling for entertainment or enjoying the cool air at Genting Highlands. They are dreaming of instant and easy riches.

The governments appears to value the Big Brother approach - ‘do as I say and I decide what's best for you’. This is much like the government down south of Malaysia. It can be an effective way to govern though.

On the other hand there is Vincent Tan and Dr Mahathir Mohamad who are all for licensed gambling since it will slow down illegal gambling and the loan sharks. They seem to reason that if there's a legal way, the illegal way will go away just like that.

According to Mahathir it seems that Vincent Tan has enough money that he doesn't need to earn or make any more. Also, they are hitting out at the Pakatan Rakyat saying they are trying to gain political mileage and making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Vincent Tan and Mahathir seem to value personal choices. They also seem to say if you can't beat them, you might as well join them. Since the police are unable or incapable of controlling illegal gambling, the government might as well legalise it. Maybe by then the PDRM will have less problems on their hands?

Also they seem to think there's a silver lining to every cloud. After all, according to them, there's taxes to be collected and profits to be made. It's all ‘win-win’, if the government wins, so do the corporations. All this at the expense of people’s greed and weakness. What good can that bring to us?

I would like to point out if Ascot Sports isn't interested in making money and is being altruistic and charitable, why not give the license to a charity? Why isn’t Ascot Sports a charity? That way sports betting isn't for money.

That way all proceeds can be channeled to the poor and disadvantaged. If Vincent Tan can set up a charity, why not have the charity run sports betting?

In fact, the government has always taken the Big Brother approach. Just look at the cigarette packs - there are gory images of sickness and a disclaimer on the effects of smoking. Does this scare tactic work? Does it scare them into stopping?

I see people oblivious to these messages and images. They seem to think ‘what's the point of living if you can't feel alive?’ What's the point of living if you have no sins? Will legalising sports betting go the way of the 'Tak Nak' campaign? Will it be effective in slowing down gambling - legal or otherwise?

Most of us only care about making money - money to have that palatial bungalow, that exquisite time piece or that 'oh my’ beautiful car. Whatever happened to taking care of our neighbours, family and fellow Malaysians?

It's time we start to care about our fellow Malaysians. It's time to decide the purpose of legalising sports betting. It should be done with a noble purpose.

I say we legalise sports betting and let a charity operate it. That way the people have an avenue for their needs and the proceeds can be channeled to useful activities.