CHICAGO: Globally active Gauselmann Group, one of the “world’s leading gaming companies, has expressed regret and announced removal of its Lord Shiva themed slot gambling game titled “Shiva”, after huge protest from Hindus across the world
Paul Gauselmann, Chairman of Espelkamp (Germany) headquartered Gauselmann AG, said: “We understand the confusion and irritation concerning this…Therefore, we will immediately remove this game from our games portfolio and no longer offer this. At no point in time did we have the intention to insult the religious or ideological feelings of Hindus. We truly regret the confusion this has caused and you may rest assured that we will be even more diligent concerning the design and the designation of our games in the future.”
Rajan Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, welcomed the move on the part of Paul Gauselmann and thanked him and his company for understanding the concerns of worldwide Hindu community, which thought usage of Lord Shiva on slot gambling game was highly inappropriate.
Madhu Patel, founding president of NRI Pres Club said that this should serve as a message to many multinational corporations who time and again seek to denigrate deities of other faiths and religions, usually those highly worshipped by Hindus.
Lord Shiva, who is highly revered in Hinduism, is meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not for promoting gambling on slots for mercantile greed of an international company, Rajan Zed observed.
Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts for commercial or other agenda need to be universally condemned and appropriately taken to task thru available legal means, Madhu Patel added.
Christian (United Church of Christ pastor Reverend Richard L. Smith), Buddhist (Jikai’ Phil Bryan) and Jewish (Rabbi ElizaBeth W. Beyer) leaders had also come out to the support of protesting Hindus on this issue.
Developed by Merkur Division of Gauselmann Group, “Shiva” slot gambling machine showed a blue four-armed Lord Shiva with dark red lips carrying damru in one hand. This five-reels and 50 win-lines gambling machine, besides Lord Shiva symbol (which substituted all symbols) also showed symbols of cobra, Taj Mahal, monkey, etc. “Step into the realm of the god Shiva and experience an exciting adventure!” website announcement said. It could be played live on various online casinos.
Surendra Ullal
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
