Should Gambling be Legal

[Toro]

Apparently, the Super Bowl the heaviest betting event on the planet, with some $10,000,000,000 wagered over this game. Which got me thinking, should all gambling be legalized?

Some gambling is legalized. The government generates big money through lotteries. Some states say its OK while others don't. So people who want to gamble just go to those states.

I think gambling should be legal. It's silly that the government is telling us how we can spend our money.

What do you think?

 

[HelenaHandbag]

I think you're right.

 

[DiamondDave]

Yes... don't need to be protected from myself.. and if I exercise my freedom to the point where I bankrupt myself thru stupidity in gambling on sports or a game, it is no different than doing it in the stock market or a get rich quick scheme

 

[candycorn]

Apparently, the Super Bowl the heaviest betting event on the planet, with some $10,000,000,000 wagered over this game. Which got me thinking, should all gambling be legalized?

Some gambling is legalized. The government generates big money through lotteries. Some states say its OK while others don't. So people who want to gamble just go to those states.

I think gambling should be legal. It's silly that the government is telling us how we can spend our money.

What do you think?

My girlfriend in Texas just updated her facebook page that she and he are at a casino in Lake Charles, LA. Texas loses a lot of money each year by people making that pilgrimage to Lake Charles. Having been there before, I can assure you that it is the only reason to stop there (now that Paw Paw's is gone).

 

[Remodeling Maidiac]

Yup, it's my money.

 

[Rocko]

As long as it's regulated yes. It's tough to do so with online gambling though.

 

[percysunshine]

The stock market is pretty much used as the worlds largest casino.

 

[Avorysuds]

Prohibition never works.

 

[Zander]

The casinos should be able to take food stamps and EBT cards......

 

[OriginalShroom]

I don't care..

As long as my tax dollars are not used to support the businesses or the gamblers.

 

[JakeStarkey]

Apparently, the Super Bowl the heaviest betting event on the planet, with some $10,000,000,000 wagered over this game. Which got me thinking, should all gambling be legalized?

Some gambling is legalized. The government generates big money through lotteries. Some states say its OK while others don't. So people who want to gamble just go to those states.

I think gambling should be legal. It's silly that the government is telling us how we can spend our money.

What do you think?

My girlfriend in Texas just updated her facebook page that she and he are at a casino in Lake Charles, LA. Texas loses a lot of money each year by people making that pilgrimage to Lake Charles. Having been there before, I can assure you that it is the only reason to stop there (now that Paw Paw's is gone).

The three Texas reservations had small casinos for a short time, and the income provided some serious $$$ for the community and upgrade in the quality of living for the Native Americans.

Until!

The gaming lobby in Louisiana successfully bribed the Tx legislature to make in-state gaming illegal.

 

[longknife]

Did any of you know that the War of 1812 was partially funded by a lottery?

Our government has used lotteries - a form of gambling - many times throughout history.

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Yes, but with restrictions. Mostly as to placement of gambling devices and casinos like not near places for children like grade schools, playgrounds, etc. And as with many consumer product safety labels, odds should be well-posted at every game or device informing the user exactly what their chances are of positive outcomes.

Are many things I don't enjoy or feel positively about I think should be legal nonetheless. If people wanna throw their money away that's their right. Just because I think they're stupid and irresponsible is no legal justification to forbid it under the laws of a free country.

 

[The Rabbi]

I dont think government should legitimate people's vices, nor profit from them as it creates an incentive to corrupt society further.

 

[william the wie]

Yes, but with restrictions. Mostly as to placement of gambling devices and casinos like not near places for children like grade schools, playgrounds, etc. And as with many consumer product safety labels, odds should be well-posted at every game or device informing the user exactly what their chances are of positive outcomes.

Are many things I don't enjoy or feel positively about I think should be legal nonetheless. If people wanna throw their money away that's their right. Just because I think they're stupid and irresponsible is no legal justification to forbid it under the laws of a free country.

Stupidity should be painful.

 

[House]

Yes, but with restrictions. Mostly as to placement of gambling devices and casinos like not near places for children like grade schools, playgrounds, etc. And as with many consumer product safety labels, odds should be well-posted at every game or device informing the user exactly what their chances are of positive outcomes.

Are many things I don't enjoy or feel positively about I think should be legal nonetheless. If people wanna throw their money away that's their right. Just because I think they're stupid and irresponsible is no legal justification to forbid it under the laws of a free country.

Generally speaking, I'm against the restriction of gambling (among other things), however you do raise a good point about keeping gambling away from areas normally frequented by children.

However, the posting odds thing is too far. Such laws would only provide incentive for any poor shmuck that doesn't match those odds to file a lawsuit and force a costly investigation.

Anyone that has ever played slots (or gambled at all, really) knows just how often that scenario could present itself. Just because there's a 1/25 chance of winning doesn't mean you WILL win 1 out of every 25 spins. You might not win at all for 200 spins, then get 8 wins pretty much back to back. But if some shmuck feels entitled to a win after 25 spins, it creates unnecessary drama for the casino owner due to that shmuck's stupidity.

 

[TemplarKormac]

You know, with politicians taking gambles with our money each and every day, shouldn't we work to outlaw that?

 

[Toro]

Yes, but with restrictions. Mostly as to placement of gambling devices and casinos like not near places for children like grade schools, playgrounds, etc. And as with many consumer product safety labels, odds should be well-posted at every game or device informing the user exactly what their chances are of positive outcomes.

Are many things I don't enjoy or feel positively about I think should be legal nonetheless. If people wanna throw their money away that's their right. Just because I think they're stupid and irresponsible is no legal justification to forbid it under the laws of a free country.

Generally speaking, I'm against the restriction of gambling (among other things), however you do raise a good point about keeping gambling away from areas normally frequented by children.

However, the posting odds thing is too far. Such laws would only provide incentive for any poor shmuck that doesn't match those odds to file a lawsuit and force a costly investigation.

Anyone that has ever played slots (or gambled at all, really) knows just how often that scenario could present itself. Just because there's a 1/25 chance of winning doesn't mean you WILL win 1 out of every 25 spins. You might not win at all for 200 spins, then get 8 wins pretty much back to back. But if some shmuck feels entitled to a win after 25 spins, it creates unnecessary drama for the casino owner due to that shmuck's stupidity.

The other thing is that access to gambling can ruin a family. It is a disease, and people can burn through their savings fast.

Slot machines were legalized in Alberta bars roughly 20 years ago. When several men lost many thousands of dollars in a very short period of time, the town council banned the machines and legalized strippers because they figured you couldn't lose all your money on strippers.

 

[deltex1]

Working for a living and keeping your shit together should be legal, and encouraged.

 

[Papawx3]

I'm not a gambler, but that's mainly because I'm not very good at it. But that doesn't mean others shouldn't have that right. I know people who have lost a lot of money gambling. I know of cases where one person's gambling habits have led to the destruction of their marriages, and the suffering of their families. I even know people who are involved with certain "organizations" that host and benefit from the gambling activities of others.
Like other personal activities though, it's not something that I think the gov't should interfere with, or make illegal.