Now that I’m thinking about it, I mainly have a gripe with people getting addicted to gambling. Can be in many different forms IMO; can be spending too much money at the Blackjack table (which is somewhat skill-dependent), whaling on lootboxes/gachas (where you’d literally never “win” money back), or even day trading (which is technically positive-sum)

In theory everything is fine in moderation, but then most gambling systems reward people to whale whether they intend it or not, so…

My friends and I occasionally have poker nights, and its a lot of fun. Its funny how stakes of $5 or $20 - just a few dollars or cents at most for most hands - make a game much more exciting.

The problem is the casinos and sports betting apps…

Like all things, fine in moderation. Nothing wrong with friendly wagers among friends or spending some money playing casino games. The gambling industry doesn’t exist off the back of these players though and that’s the problem with it

I’ve tried to like it but I just can’t. How is it entertaining to just give your money away, literally without anything of value?

I’ll do Super Bowl squares and March madness, because it’s a social activity. Once every year or so I’ll buy a lottery ticket for one night of amazing dreams.

But organized gambling, like casino, inline, track, sports bets always just feels like they are robbing me. I did bet at a horse track and a dog track a couple of times but it’s just so sad watching these old people piss away their social security checks. Now we have polymarket which seems like mostly a way for immoral politicians, celebrities, business people to enrich themselves with insider knowledge

Yeah, we need to ban for-profit gambling

Last time I gambled I won $90. Figured that was the best it was ever going to get, and gave it after that. Go out on a high note, right?

I worked in a casino in the late 90’s. I dealt with supplying the coins and payouts for all the slot machines. When a machine would have a jackpot I could have the payout and paperwork printed and waiting before the techs could get to the machine. Everything would show up on my computer screen, including when there was a machine fill done.

Now ask yourself what prevents the machines from being “tighter” or “looser” at the push of a button or click of a mouse.

Every single game is designed to make the house a profit. The only way to truly win at gambling is to own the casino or not play.

if you’re not first… you’re last

It’s not my thing, I do have a small basket of stocks I call gambling (they break even) and husband spends $2 a week on a lottery ticket.

Other than those I abstain, it’s not really fun to me.

I love petty, minimal stakes gambling. House poker. Prop bets with my coworkers. Sometimes I do squares for big games, brackets or pick ems for tourneys/leagues. Im spending 5, 10 or rarely 20 bucks on a fun activity with people. Its fun to do at work, while drinking, having a smoke, or just walking down the street.

I think gambling addiction is a serious problem and casinos need much heavier regulation with funding for addiction healthcare coming from their profits. I also dont support eliminating any native casinos in the US unless they are repaid by the federal government for breaking our original treaty obligations with these tribes and seizing their land. Its disgusting to keep taking from the tribes without giving any of equal value back.

Gambling is (mostly) a poison. I don’t condone sports gambling, I don’t go to casinos. I do like to play some poker and fantasy football, but there’s a large element of skill to those. It’s not as bad as playing slots or betting on the ponies IMO.

There was a time that I actually had a bit of a gambling problem. Came into some money and decided to just not work for a couple years and live like Caligula. Casinos took care of a good bit of that money before I managed to stop.

And to me that’s the real issue. If you’ve got cash, don’t mind/care if you lose it playing some games, and can walk away without feeling any need to go back, hey, have at it. But if you’re like me and easily get hooked on shit and it makes you irresponsible, well, the casinos and the gambling apps will be just as happy to take your money anyhow, and pretend that showing you an 800 number to call about it is being responsible.

Very indefererent. I’ll buy a $10 or $20 scratch off once a month or a powerball when the jackpot gets high. I’ll play keno occasionally at a bar for a few dollars.

I’ve only been to small casinos about 5 times in my life but I rarely spend over $50. I would like sports betting to be allowed on phones where I live just to bet on a few games here and there.

These new bet on anything sites I can’t stand and I think will ruin society more than the internet

I would consider any gambled money to be lost, the equivalent of lighting it on fire

I think it should be heavily regulated when not done informally.

Informal gambling is fine. Not my vice but you do you.

Gambling as a business should be heavily restricted because of its destructive and addictive nature. The current state of things is like if everyone had a tap with running vodka in their home. Sure plenty would be responsible, but the people who use it most would be the ones who need it to be less accessible, while the people who use it responsibly would be fine having to go outside town to a casino or something to get their fix.

Personally I’d prefer it only be legal in parts of my country where it’s traditionally legal such as las Vegas and Atlantic City, but that’s not an opinion I can firmly justify.

I did it a few times at local horse races that i went to watch. I bet only small amounts for the fun of it, and i think it contributed a little to the whole atmosphere of the event. So, nothing serious. The most I won was, when i made a mistake and bet on a complete outsider by error. Then that outsider won, and from the proceeds i could go and buy me a new pair of jeans.