Summary:
"Betting & Gambling: A National Evil" by B. Seebohm Rowntree is a critical examination of gambling practices in early 20th century Britain, reflecting societal views from the late 19th to early 20th century. The work discusses the pervasive nature of gambling, which has spread beyond the upper classes to affect all segments of society, leading to significant social, moral, and economic consequences. Rowntree aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of gambling, comparing it to other societal ills like alcohol and calling for organized efforts to combat this growing social issue. The opening of the publication sets the stage for this discussion by outlining the evolution of gambling in Britain, noting its transition from an elite pastime to a widespread epidemic across all classes. Rowntree emphasizes the lack of organized resistance to gambling despite its clearly established destructive consequences, which are likened to a "cancer" within the social fabric. Furthermore, he highlights the complicity of various societal elements, from bookmakers to lawmakers, in perpetuating this issue, while also touching on the role ignorance and lack of ethical considerations play in the public's response to gambling. (This is an automatically generated summary.)