Casino Gambling: Is it a good thing or not?

[Wikiy]

If people would like to ruin their lives or lose a fortune, i say let them. See no reason to make it illegal if it draws in tax money.

[Seirith]

Well, since statistically you can't ever win in a casino I don't get why so many people do it.

I guess when you get lucky and you do win it's a good feeling and that's why people keep trying.
Anyway, if all people would be reasonable then we wouldn't have any need for gambling. But quite some people aren't.

And if we'd outlaw gambling, then they would simply find a way to do it between themselves. At least this way we can regulate it and keep an eye.

But I don't think it helps the economy anything. I mean, the money casinos make would otherwise still be in the pockets of the people and they would simply use it to pay for other things. So it'll go into the economy either way.

But my honest opinion is that gambling isn't a good thing.
Also, it's kind of hard to vote on the poll since it's only directed at Americans.

My Grandfather has won over $10,000 at our local casino without using ANY of his money. He is part of a FREE senior club there that gives him money every Thursday to use that day in the casino. He also gets a free buffet lunch and has won several other items like dish sets, tools, toaster oven etc. So yes, he has won in a casino.

[Deleted]

If you organize a casino well enough, you won't attract crime. In Germany casinos are monopolies operated by some states, situated in small towns or tourist villages, have a strict dress code and surveillance, and are more a rarely enjoyed entertainment. None of them uses a "sin city" image like Las Vegas. For gambling addiction, slot machines are more a problem.

[klaps_05]

gambling is just like gaming - you pay for ENTERTAINMENT. if you have an intention to make money out of it I would strongly suggest looking in the mirror.

For example, I have played poker for 5 years in big online tournaments and I have won something in the neighbourhood of $5000 total, but I have done it for the thrill of playing, not to get $5000 so I can pay my bills.

[Kalis]

I'm confused by the rural areas thing. If they are in rural areas, wouldn't communities spring up around them due to the creation of jobs, therefore they wouldn't be in a rural area any more?

[Beavis]

I'm assuming you live in the US, so I'd say what we have now is just fine. There's Atlantic City and the entire state of Nevada, plus Indian gaming in some states. If you can't afford to get to a casino, you probably shouldn't be going to one anyway.

[smegdawg]

I've been to the casino multiple times in my life and each time I never feel like I am wasting my money. I am spending it. I get enjoyment when I watch the slot machines spin, when I toss dice down the tab and when I win big. I am paying for that enjoyment, just the same as I pay for enjoyment when going to a movie.

[smelltheglove]

im against blanket bans on vice. imo legalize + regulate/tax is the only rational way to handle vice. you can only fight human proclivities so much before you start empowering criminal enterprise

[goobernoob]

your question and the poll are two completely different things... I personally think casino gambling is a bad thing, but it should be legal. It is not the government's job to dictate morals or save suckers (be they the gamblers or casinos that lose money to card counters).

[Kilperch]

I work for a casino and a lot of the typical arguments I hear from customers / clients / co-workers is that gambling is nothing but a waste of money and doesn't contribute to anything good in society. While I do spend a lot of my time around people who could possibly be considered compulsive gamblers, I personally don't take issue with it. My feelings on the matter is that gambling is a lot like drinking: Those who enjoy it responsibly can have a good time, maybe lose some money, and it can be a good social experience. However, if you abuse it your life can be ruined.

I've seen studies and reports that state in areas where a new casino open, calls to problem gaming hotlines go up as well as crime. These never made much sense to me. First of all, of course calls to gambling addiction will go up, since people probably didn't gamble before. As for crime increase, I think that's an old myth tied to mob days, where you were pretty much blackmailed if you ever lost more than a couple hundred on blackjack, etc. I can't think of any actual reason why a well-secured, regulated casino would contribute to an increase in crime.

I was just curious what the people on MMO-C thought about gambling in general. Keep in mind that I'm talking about legalized, strictly regulated gambling that takes place at a building designed for it, where you can possibly enjoy hotels, pools, restaurants, etc. None of that underground, shady cheating dealers garbage. I would also like to point out a list of pros / cons I have formulated for casinos and surrounding areas.

Pros:
Creates jobs (my casino has about 2000+ employees)
Provides entertainment
Provides tax money
Many contribute to charities / surrounding communities

Cons:
Can lead to increased gambling addiction
Crime goes up in surrounding communities
No actual entertainment / It's pretty much just wasting money

I work at a casino as well. I've been a dealer for over two years, and I've had a lot of time to think about this issue. After a lot of consideration I've come to the conclusion that gambling is a pretty terrible thing.

I've seen it all. I've witnessed people break down and start sobbing because they just lost their entire paycheck. I've looked on as friends, spouses, siblings and strangers begged people to stop because they're throwing away all their money. I've listened to parents talk about how they have to get home and take their kids to school, "but just one more hand" they tell me. Two hours later they finally get up and go home. I've seen regulars at the casino show up every single day without fail. Some of them women who would eventually get pregnant, show up every day of their pregnancy, give birth, then show up every single day afterwards. "Where is your baby?" I'd ask them. "I think my boyfriend is watching her."

I'll never forget the day I met this kid named Sean. He just turned 21 and was so excited about finally being able to gamble at a casino. He was jubliant. He sat down at my table and proceeded to play for the remainder of my shift (over seven hours). Just before I was about to go home, he got a straight flush and won about four grand. He was literally jumping up and down. He said he was hooked and that he was going to come back after work. I came back the next day and there he was. In the same clothes. I literally witnessed a man become addicted. Its disgusting. Gambling is unbelievably addictive and destructive.

Yes, these are some of the worst scenarios. And no, not everyone is addicted to gambling. However, out of all the people I've dealt to in the past two years... 99% of them do it out of habit or addiction. Very rarely will I meet a person who goes to a casino a few times a year. I can count on one hand how many people I've met who have come to the casino, played a bit, and decided it wasn't for them.

Yes, casinos employ a lot of people. Thats great. And yes, casinos claim to be against gambling addiction... but in truth its a farce. Its the exact same as a tobacco company saying it is concerned about cigarettes being addictive. Thats how they make money. And they won't stop doing what they're doing.

I work there, yes. But I don't enjoy it. I find it so difficult to put on a smile when I walk through those doors. These are people's lives. Their money. Its just not right.

[oblivionx]

Gambling is everywhere.

Illegal and legal.

Go to your local gas station or convenience store and just try and decipher what people are doing with the state lotteries, I don't understand a word they say.. box 56 box double triple what?

I think gambling is a bad trait, but it's odd that it's ok if the states run it and a private casino can't.