Originally posted by Wizardry

I cannot see it going legal because that would be a whole new business operation revolving around money and tax dollars.

First of all there is no positive way to factually monitor AGE over the internet.Secondly gambling is a disease of the mind,some can control it ,some can't,do we really need more fails in society,especially inside gaming?

Also it is a mechanic the government would not be able to monitor what so ever,they would have few mechanics in place to keep track of what is taxed and what is not.Also gambling laws change from state to state,the internet does not adhere to states,especially with use of Proxies.

You know how i could see this making it one day?Money in the pockets,same reason Casinos were finally allowed in my part of Canada after years of lobbying against it.Money is the root of all evil,corruption is everywhere,especially inside government.

Good points. But I have no doubt that we will have it very soon. You wont be able to play a video game without it asking you to make bets. Like you said, there's too much money in it for the corrupt government.

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

 

Guess they'll have to dust themselves off and start over by first taking responsibility for their actions instead of blaming the casinos. 

Is living on the streets and relying on free food taking responsibility? What is taking responsibility?

 

If that's what their actions have led to, then they need to deal with the consequences. I guess it's pretty cold-hearted of me, but I'm fed up with people making excuses for their actions. Yes, their lives might be ruined, but that's how the cookie crumbles. How's that Jurrasic Park quote go? "I don't blame people for their mistakes. But I do ask that they pay for them."

They were lied to and robbed. The gambling industry gets most of their profits from these people. Without these people the gambling industry would crumble.

Blaming the people who ruined their lives is clever enough, and false enough. But at least one thing is accomplished. The direction of resentment against the gambling industry is redirected.

They weren't lied to. It's gambling. Look it up in the dictionary. 

 

to expose to hazard; risk

to bet on an uncertain outcome

to take a risk in the hope of gaining an advantage or a benefit

to engage in reckless or hazardous behavior

to play a game of chance for stakes

 

It's not rocket science. People gamble knowing that they could lose. I'm done arguing with you as our views on this are diametrically opposed. 

Once again, regular gambling is a GUARANTEED LOSS for you and win for the industry. It's not a game of chance then. All of the advertisements say the opposite.

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

 

Guess they'll have to dust themselves off and start over by first taking responsibility for their actions instead of blaming the casinos. 

Is living on the streets and relying on free food taking responsibility? What is taking responsibility?

 

If that's what their actions have led to, then they need to deal with the consequences. I guess it's pretty cold-hearted of me, but I'm fed up with people making excuses for their actions. Yes, their lives might be ruined, but that's how the cookie crumbles. How's that Jurrasic Park quote go? "I don't blame people for their mistakes. But I do ask that they pay for them."

They were lied to and robbed. The gambling industry gets most of their profits from these people. Without these people the gambling industry would crumble.

Blaming the people who ruined their lives is clever enough, and false enough. But at least one thing is accomplished. The direction of resentment against the gambling industry is redirected.

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

Originally posted by Magiknight

I know everyone here has had "personal choice" crammed into their heads since pre K but educate yourselves a little. Read a book or at least watch this.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7375124n

You know what else triggers those same things? Sex, driving fast, roller coasters, skydiving, base jumping, board games, weightlifting, jogging, outdoor sports, ice hockey... imagine that, pleasurable things trigger pleasurable feelings.

Guess what? It's still the person's fault.

If people like you had their way, nobody would be held accountable for their own actions anymore.

Oh, and take your patronizing, holier-than-thou attitude and shove it up hard. Welcome to my 'blocked' list.

Those things don't ruin lives or harm society. Guess what? The industry is still just as responsible.

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

And that's THEIR FAULT. Not the bloody casino's. It's their fault they let it go that far. It sucks, sure, but people who are capable of enjoying gambling responsibly shouldn't have to lose something they find enjoyable just because some idiot with no self-control gambled away all his / her money.

Everybody knows the odds are skewed greatly in favor of the house. Everybody. The only way to remain ignorant of that fact is to do so willfully.

Someone who has gambled their house away could have easily put down the cards and walked away from the table well before it got to that point. Nobody forced them to gamble, they decided themselves to continue on despite the stakes.

I enjoy gambling quite a bit myself. However, I haven't gone to a casino in quite some time because I know I can't afford to gamble. In other words, I practice self-restraint. Something which very few people seem to do, these days.

It's as much the gambling industries fault as the persons. Addiction is a relationship between a person and a substance or action. People who study cocaine addiction don't just study the person, but the drug too.

Who said anything about losing it? Why not do it responsibly. Get rid of the lies. Make the odds apparent for all games. Put limits on how much people can spend. Make sure people who gamble like every day are doing OK. The industry needs to step up their game and take as much responsibility as the players.

No one forces anyone to do anything anymore. No one has the courage for that. So they're smarter about tricking people.

They don't trick anybody. Read my post again: EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE ODDS ARE SKEWED IN FAVOR OF THE HOUSE.

Limits on spending? What baloney. If I can afford to spend a million dollars gambling, then that's my goddamn business. I shouldn't be limited to half a million just because somebody might exercise poor judgment. It's my money, and I'll spend it as I see fit.

And I'm not going to address your incredibly unrealistic idea of having the casino 'make sure people who gamble a lot are doing okay'. That's just complete and utter hogwash.

I'm done. You seem hell-bent on both ignoring what myself and others have to say when it's not in your favor, and making up false accusations of casinos 'lying' to people. That's bunk. They promise a chance to win, and give you exactly that: a chance.

Know that the odds are skewed in favor of the house isn't enough. The odds must be made explicit in their ads and when you play. There is 0 chance for a long term player of any gambling game. The exception being the lottery winners, many of whom are now in debt. Bye.

I know everyone here has had "personal choice" crammed into their heads since pre K but educate yourselves a little. Read a book or at least watch this.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7375124n

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

And that's THEIR FAULT. Not the bloody casino's. It's their fault they let it go that far. It sucks, sure, but people who are capable of enjoying gambling responsibly shouldn't have to lose something they find enjoyable just because some idiot with no self-control gambled away all his / her money.

Everybody knows the odds are skewed greatly in favor of the house. Everybody. The only way to remain ignorant of that fact is to do so willfully.

Someone who has gambled their house away could have easily put down the cards and walked away from the table well before it got to that point. Nobody forced them to gamble, they decided themselves to continue on despite the stakes.

I enjoy gambling quite a bit myself. However, I haven't gone to a casino in quite some time because I know I can't afford to gamble. In other words, I practice self-restraint. Something which very few people seem to do, these days.

It's as much the gambling industries fault as the persons. Addiction is a relationship between a person and a substance or action. People who study cocaine addiction don't just study the person, but the drug too.

Who said anything about losing it? Why not do it responsibly. Get rid of the lies. Make the odds apparent for all games. Put limits on how much people can spend. Make sure people who gamble like every day are doing OK. The industry needs to step up their game and take as much responsibility as the players.

No one forces anyone to do anything anymore. No one has the courage for that. So they're smarter about tricking people.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

 

Lots of casino jobs pay less than minimum wage.

Minimum wage offers above-global-average standards of living.

Then you would be glad to take a 5.50 an hour job.

I have a college degree.

So do lots of people who have gambled away everything.

their problem.

 

I haven't and there two casinos in my city.

 

their choice.

I take it you wouldn't take the 5.50 an hour job you were speaking so highly for the parents to raise their child on. Lots of people haven't gambled too. That's of no consequence. The fact is that people DO and more and more are problem gamblers with each new form of gambling that is introduced. It's not just their problem. Like I said, they steal, murder, have family issues, etc. It's not just their problem if it's affecting everyone else. You don't gamble and other people do....that mean's nothing.

I also spent 3 days in Amsterdm yet I'm not a drug addict.

 

I wonder if you'll turn your attention next on shopaholics and these mean evil gov't sponsored stores with their devillish advertisings for discounts and reductions.

 

My, are those evil. preying on innocent shopaholics and baiting them with great deals and low prices...

 

or perhaps you'll look at the porn industry and what that's doing to our society.

 

come to think of it, these problems are everywhere. It's almost as if you have to be responsible of your own damn self to not fall in one or another. We could ban them all, and perhaps install some form of inquisition as deterrant, or we can be responsible about it.

 

and with that I leave you to lobby the death of gambling, porn, shopping centers, violent video games, alcohol, tobacco, energy drinks, sugar, fast food, gasoline, fossil fuels and horror movies. Maybe sci-fi's too. Just to be safe.

Being responsible for it means advertising appropriately. It means not lying, cheating, or stealing. They could at least take as much as responsibility as the alcohol industry has taken for alcoholics. The government gets way more money from gambling than it does from consumer shoppers. Being responsible about it would mean putting programs in place for people who have been robbed, cheated, and lied to.

Porn, shopping, video games, alcohol, tobacco, etc is all fine by me. Kids learn about that stuff in school anyways.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

 

Lots of casino jobs pay less than minimum wage.

Minimum wage offers above-global-average standards of living.

Then you would be glad to take a 5.50 an hour job.

I have a college degree.

So do lots of people who have gambled away everything.

their problem.

 

I haven't and there two casinos in my city.

 

their choice.

I take it you wouldn't take the 5.50 an hour job you were speaking so highly for the parents to raise their child on. Lots of people haven't gambled too. That's of no consequence. The fact is that people DO and more and more are problem gamblers with each new form of gambling that is introduced. It's not just their problem. Like I said, they steal, murder, have family issues, etc. It's not just their problem if it's affecting everyone else. You don't gamble and other people do....that mean's nothing.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

 

Lots of casino jobs pay less than minimum wage.

Minimum wage offers above-global-average standards of living.

Then you would be glad to take a 5.50 an hour job.

I have a college degree.

So do lots of people who have gambled away everything.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by fayknaym

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

 

The gambling industry has as much right to exist as any other.

Why?

In my OP I meant to say "stop predatory gambling", not "stop problem gambling."

Why not ?

 

I understand you're lobying right now but if we start banning everything we don't think it fits in a perfect, pure and morally upright society, we'll be Sieg Heil'ing in no time.

Because it destroys lives. Because it provides nothing in return. Because it is disproportionately affects the poor. Because it breeds social disorder. Because it ruins families.

It has nothing to do with morals. It has to do with not allowing more lives to be ruined.

./rolls eyes.

 

what about the tax revenue it provides to local economy ?

 

I mean you layed out all the negatives, let's be fair. Make a list of the positives too. It's only fair to have a clear perspective.

 

so tell us, now, what are the poitives of gambling ?

The positives are a small amount of money captured by the state and some petty jobs.

And the negatives are a couple losers wasting some money.

seems balanced.

A child's life being destroyed from having gambling addicts for parents is balanced?

If a child's life is possible because his parents got a job and can sustain him...sure.

 

It's sad that i have to do counter-propaganda just to keep this thread objective but that's where we are...

Lots of casino jobs pay less than minimum wage.

Minimum wage offers above-global-average standards of living.

Then you would be glad to take a 5.50 an hour job.

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

 

Guess they'll have to dust themselves off and start over by first taking responsibility for their actions instead of blaming the casinos. 

Is living on the streets and relying on free food taking responsibility? What is taking responsibility?

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by fayknaym

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

 

The gambling industry has as much right to exist as any other.

Why?

In my OP I meant to say "stop predatory gambling", not "stop problem gambling."

Why not ?

 

I understand you're lobying right now but if we start banning everything we don't think it fits in a perfect, pure and morally upright society, we'll be Sieg Heil'ing in no time.

Because it destroys lives. Because it provides nothing in return. Because it is disproportionately affects the poor. Because it breeds social disorder. Because it ruins families.

It has nothing to do with morals. It has to do with not allowing more lives to be ruined.

./rolls eyes.

 

what about the tax revenue it provides to local economy ?

 

I mean you layed out all the negatives, let's be fair. Make a list of the positives too. It's only fair to have a clear perspective.

 

so tell us, now, what are the poitives of gambling ?

The positives are a small amount of money captured by the state and some petty jobs.

And the negatives are a couple losers wasting some money.

seems balanced.

A child's life being destroyed from having gambling addicts for parents is balanced?

If a child's life is possible because his parents got a job and can sustain him...sure.

 

It's sad that i have to do counter-propaganda just to keep this thread objective but that's where we are...

Lots of casino jobs pay less than minimum wage.

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

 

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

 

I agree with this 100%. I was a huge fatty at one point who stuffed his face with entire pizzas and 2 liters of soda. I didn't blame the makers of the pizza and soda. I got angry with myself one day and decided to stop being fat. People really need to start taking responsibility for their actions. 

So you could change what happened to you.  That's good. Someone who has gambled away their home and all their savings (maybe 20 years worth) might never get any of that back. Their life as they knew it is over.

Originally posted by fayknaym

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

 

The gambling industry has as much right to exist as any other.

Why?

In my OP I meant to say "stop predatory gambling", not "stop problem gambling."

Why not ?

 

I understand you're lobying right now but if we start banning everything we don't think it fits in a perfect, pure and morally upright society, we'll be Sieg Heil'ing in no time.

Because it destroys lives. Because it provides nothing in return. Because it is disproportionately affects the poor. Because it breeds social disorder. Because it ruins families.

It has nothing to do with morals. It has to do with not allowing more lives to be ruined.

./rolls eyes.

 

what about the tax revenue it provides to local economy ?

 

I mean you layed out all the negatives, let's be fair. Make a list of the positives too. It's only fair to have a clear perspective.

 

so tell us, now, what are the poitives of gambling ?

The positives are a small amount of money captured by the state and some petty jobs.

And the negatives are a couple losers wasting some money.

seems balanced.

A child's life being destroyed from having gambling addicts for parents is balanced?

Wasting money? I know someone who spent 3 million on one machine. He lives in a town of about 30,000 people. The community probably could have used that money.

Originally posted by InsaneDalek

Originally posted by Nitth

 

---

Originally posted by Robokapp

---

Originally posted by Magiknight

---

Originally posted by Robokapp you can't lose something unless you bet it.   if you want no part in gambling, you can choose not to participate.   gambling, particularly sport gambling has been there for hundreds of years outside the USA.

---

Everyone think their in control of their betting until they've lost everything. No one started gambling saying "I'm going to lose everything."

---

I understand this fully.

 

 

People are responsible for their actions.

---

 

False.

Some people do have problems with gambling. aka addiction.

Bullshit. People are ultimately responsible for their actions. Gambling, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, tobacco use, obesity, etc. aren't afflictions or diseases. They're personal decisions, or the consequences thereof.

Just because some people have problems with gambling doesn't mean it should be banned for everyone who chooses to enjoy it responsibly as well. Same goes for fast food, alcohol, soda, lawn darts, etc.

It's ridiculous how many people worldwide are blaming their mistakes on everyone BUT themselves, then calling for Big Brother to protect them from their own stupidity and poor judgment. It's very much a, "If I can't have it, no one will!", attitude.

 

Fast food, alcohol, etc, are all labeled and advertised more appropriately. Also, obesity on the scale we are seeing it is only a recent development. It didn't exist on this scale before because society couldn't provide for that many people to be obese. It's a societal problem as well as a personal one.

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Magiknight

I don't know where you live but where I live I can't open a newspaper or drive down the highway without looking at gambling. Each place I look tells me I will be a winner. I know the reality is that EVERYONE who gamblers long term is a loser. The gambling industry lies, cheats, and steals. Cigarette manufacturers have to  label their products as deadly. Alcohol containers have warnings and you always see "drink responsibly." The gambling industry preys on people and has no remorse. It's exploitation, not freedom.

If advertising for everything else is regulated, what makes you think that advertising for gambling wouldn't be?

Look at their ads..... Everyone of them says the same thing.  "You'll be a winner!" But NO ONE is.

What video game gambling ads or US gambling ads are you referring to that say this? 

 

There are no ads for video game gambling yet. I'm talking about ads for any other form of gambling.

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

 

The gambling industry has as much right to exist as any other.

Why?

In my OP I meant to say "stop predatory gambling", not "stop problem gambling."

Why not ?

 

I understand you're lobying right now but if we start banning everything we don't think it fits in a perfect, pure and morally upright society, we'll be Sieg Heil'ing in no time.

Because it destroys lives. Because it provides nothing in return. Because it is disproportionately affects the poor. Because it breeds social disorder. Because it ruins families.

It has nothing to do with morals. It has to do with not allowing more lives to be ruined.

./rolls eyes.

 

what about the tax revenue it provides to local economy ?

 

I mean you layed out all the negatives, let's be fair. Make a list of the positives too. It's only fair to have a clear perspective.

 

so tell us, now, what are the poitives of gambling ?

The positives are a small amount of money captured by the state and some petty jobs.

Originally posted by fayknaym
I've seen the effects gambling addiction on a person first hand. It truly is something that can bring a lot of difficulty and misery into one's life. Yea, you can choose not to participate in gambling, but my I agree with the OP. There is no benefit to society in anyway, shape or form that can come from gambling. If it were up to me I'd outlaw it. Of course then it would move underground, but at least that might be incentive enough to keep once decent people away from it.

In Hawaii there are lots of underground gambling places. Bad things happen in them. But that's a whole different story than state sponsored robbery.

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by simsalabim77

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

Originally posted by Magiknight

Originally posted by Robokapp

you can't lose something unless you bet it.

 

if you want no part in gambling, you can choose not to participate.

 

gambling, particularly sport gambling has been there for hundreds of years outside the USA.

Everyone think their in control of their betting until they've lost everything. No one started gambling saying "I'm going to lose everything."

I understand this fully.

 

but similarly nobody started out as "i'm going to be a mass murderer" either. People are responsible for their actions.

 

It's part of the basic principle of freedom to allow people to try and fail.

 

edit: why are americans the only ones being adressed here ? gambling is global.

The magazine article was about video game gambling in America. Like you said, it's already legal elsewhere.

How can you compare a mass murderer to a gambler?

Freedom has NOTHING to do with gambling. Being exploited economically has nothing to do with freedom. Freedom is being responsible to ourselves. I don't know where you live but where I live I can't open a newspaper or drive down the highway without looking at gambling. Each place I look tells me I will be a winner. I know the reality is that EVERYONE who gamblers long term is a loser. They lie, cheat, and steal. Cigarette manufacturers have to  label their products as deadly. Alcohol containers have warnings and you always see "drink responsibly." The gambling industry preys on people and has no remorse. It's exploitation, not freedom.

 

Gambling implies the chance to lose. I have no remorse for people who fall prey to it. Some obese people have food addictions, but I still hold them accountable for actually putting the food in their mouth in the first place. 

Again, no one is getting it. You're GUARANTEED to lose if you play long term. THERE IS NO CHANCE! It's also state sponsored. The fast food industry has to label their product with nutritional information. The gambling industry LIES and is not transparent at all with their product.

 

Most people know that gambling vast sums of money is... a gamble. The saying, "The house always wins" exists for a reason, and most people understand why. So, basically, you'll be fine with gambling if they say something like...

WARNING: Compulsive gambling can lead to losing everything you have ever owned. 

I'm fine with that, but it's not going to stop people from gambling away everything they own just like nutrition information isn't going to stop a food addict from eating awful food. 

Most people who start gambling start small. They win and think they are good. They bet more money to win more. They win. They bet even more. Eventually they lose and keep betting big and keep losing. No one starts out with vast sums from the start.
 I would like a warning like that. It will stop more people from ruining their lives, although it wont help those already affected.