[Discussion] Should Gambling be Banned?

[agustina2]

It is one's personal choice. Just because something is banned, it doesn't mean people are away from it. People always find a way to use it. This is the reality, and it is always good to have some rehabilitation program and centres availed in every country. Such things can be improved than making a ban over gambling.

Personal choice or not, you are correct that people can still find a way to do a bannable activity, not just in gambling but for other activities as well. That's them and we can't control it unless they will be put in such a situation that big consequences now happened to them.

Go with the flow I guess is what is always on their mind disregarding all the risks.

[el che]

even by banning, it will only drive the black market bookies and whoever wants to gamble will find a bookie legally or not, just like drugs.

[wheelz1200]

Gambling is a personal choice and it really doesn't hurt anyone but the gambler.  It's a simple choice to gamble or not too.  If you are addicted go seek help.  But if you ban it, it will live on illegally putting addicted gamblers in far worse positions getting in debt.  No need for banning it honestly.

It is one's personal choice. Just because something is banned, it doesn't mean people are away from it. People always find a way to use it. This is the reality, and it is always good to have some rehabilitation program and centres availed in every country. Such things can be improved than making a ban over gambling.

I agree with you I don't think you understand what I was saying.  No matter if banned or not if someone is addicted to gambling banning it won't help.  Because they will find a way around it.  Rehabilitation is the only way if you are that deep.  By keeping it legal at least you don't force those peoe into shady book keepers which is much more dangerous for them.

[michellee]

even by banning, it will only drive the black market bookies and whoever wants to gamble will find a bookie legally or not, just like drugs.

Maybe it would be better if the government regulated gambling or made regulations related to gambling so that people can still gamble in public places and the government can monitor them playing gambling. But it will also depend on how everyone accepts offline casinos.

But that won't stop some people from setting up illegal casinos in their towns just to satisfy people who want to bet on other games. But the government also needs to be aware of the addiction that can happen to people so they also need to warn people to be able to control themselves.

[Zlantann]

Gambling should not be banned but different strategies and programmes should be put in place to discourage underage gambling and reduce gambling addictions. The government, parents and other non-government organisations should put certain roadblocks that would be able restrict access to gambling platforms by underage users. Certain remedial or anti-addiction programmes should be constantly put in place or organised to help gambling addict break free from addiction. Gambling services advertisement should also be regulated to ensure that it gets to the appropriate target audience or market.       

[Poker Player]

I agree with the majority of responses that he should not be banned. Mostly because of the mess banning it is. The best thing is the current regulations with mandatory responsible gaming features.

The thing is that crypto gambling houses often escape this, but I think they do not have many years until they are fully regulated and have to follow the same procedures as fiat houses.

[Boristhecat]

As for harm to oneself, a person should have the right to do so...

Thats when the line between individual rights and possible mental troubles becomes fuzzy, because depending whom one ask gambling could be described as a normal social activity or a mental (or eve spiritual) illness; and it is the job of psychologist and psychiatrists to know where to draw the line.

This reminds me the debate about euthanasia, whether one have the right to die or not, but I think that would be another topic for further discussion on a different board, like Politics & Society.

Purely theoretically, your argument that the decision should be made by professionals seems reasonable. But in practice it turns into nonsense. I don't want "professionals" to decide for me what is good or bad for me and whether I have the right to make myself feel bad. Does this seem like an irrational desire? But if suddenly they start to take away “bad food” from you by force and force you to go to the gym, then you probably won’t like it either, although it seems to be to your benefit.

[AicecreaME]

Why ban it? Anything that seems risky and dangerous needs to banned? Lets ban knives and forks and even drinking anything besides water. In fact, lets ban everything.

Gambling is fun. To me, its just an activity to have fun. Its fun because its risky. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose but you need to always understand that no matter what happens, its not a career and its not a lifestyle. Of course there are people who take it too far and become addicted and irresponsible but just because a few such people exist does not mean everyone should have to sacrifice their own freedom just to protect those few.

Unfortunately, the government is like that, If they saw something that they perceived as harmful, they would ban it and make it illegal eventually. Which just makes the situation even worse because now, the people are going to find alternative ways on how to continue doing that illegally. And this makes it even more unsafe for those people because they are now transacting and playing secretly so they won't be punished by the law.

Gambling isn't a bad thing like how they usually paint it to be. It is a kind of recreation activity wherein people get to relax and enjoy at the same time have the opportunity to earn while they are playing. It's just that some people do not know how to set boundaries and limitations. Hence, they fall into addiction. In gambling, it's a matter of self-discipline and restraint. If you don't possess that then you should think twice before entering gambling.

[goldkingcoiner]

Why ban it? Anything that seems risky and dangerous needs to banned? Lets ban knives and forks and even drinking anything besides water. In fact, lets ban everything.

Gambling is fun. To me, its just an activity to have fun. Its fun because its risky. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose but you need to always understand that no matter what happens, its not a career and its not a lifestyle. Of course there are people who take it too far and become addicted and irresponsible but just because a few such people exist does not mean everyone should have to sacrifice their own freedom just to protect those few.

Unfortunately, the government is like that, If they saw something that they perceived as harmful, they would ban it and make it illegal eventually. Which just makes the situation even worse because now, the people are going to find alternative ways on how to continue doing that illegally. And this makes it even more unsafe for those people because they are now transacting and playing secretly so they won't be punished by the law.

Gambling isn't a bad thing like how they usually paint it to be. It is a kind of recreation activity wherein people get to relax and enjoy at the same time have the opportunity to earn while they are playing. It's just that some people do not know how to set boundaries and limitations. Hence, they fall into addiction. In gambling, it's a matter of self-discipline and restraint. If you don't possess that then you should think twice before entering gambling.

The only things they seem to ever see as harmful are things that are harmful to their own profits. Thats all they really care about. Their own money. And anyone who does not tread carefully is punished by the government. This is exactly where Bitcoin comes into play. It makes it impossible for the government to keep abusing us financially as it has been doing all these years.

I completely agree that one should only gamble when one is able to control themselves and when they possess a certain amount of self restraint. This is something I always tell people, especially on this board where a lot of gamblers lose control.

[Kakmakr]

You know most people's opinion is based on their current situation.... so, if they are on a long losing streak... they will most definitely look for someone to blame.... and most of the time they will find the problem with the casino. (Saying that it is rigged)

I take myself, I continuously question the "feeding" time on Stake.com, because I strongly believe that the RTP is adjusted to fund marketing promotions on the site. (I do not play during these "feeding" times, because I lose too much money then) 

[mu_enrico]

OP is fishing people to get removed from gambling signature campaign lol
Seriously, the answer will be heavily skewed since many people here are a gambler. Gambling is banned in where I live, but it doesn't stop people from playing. In fact, we can easily find people playing slots here! Thus, I don't think the government can ban something that can be accessed via the internet. Online gambling is one of it, and they are fighting a losing battle.

It can't be banned, but should it be banned? Nope, as long as the advertisement is honest, not promising "get rich quick" scheme.

[Despairo]

I would say a big No for gambling should be banned, does ban or restrict gambling will stop people to gambling? Nope, they can still access casino with VPN even he's risking his account/money. Addicts wouldn't have a long term thought, so he ignore to read the whole TOS and will continue to gambling to fulfill his satisfy with gambling. If governments want to really ban/restrict their citizens to gambling, it's better for them to ban all traditional gambling and ban the internet connection too, they will live like on 19th century back lol.

[robelneo]

OP is fishing people to get removed from gambling signature campaign lol

So far I have not read any comment that it should be banned, from one wearing a signature campaign, the call is to be a responsible gambler and people not here who agreed to get it banned are those who want to blamed something for their losses

It can't be banned, but should it be banned? Nope, as long as the advertisement is honest, not promise "get rich quick" scheme.

It can't be banned the instinct of people is to gamble and there is money to be made from taxes revenues and employing people
so gambling is here to stay the government must see to it that people are not abusing themselves because of gambling, in the present economic situation brought by the pandemic the government should be practical and think of the greater good of the people, and that is keeping the flow of money from gambling.

[noormcs5]

even by banning, it will only drive the black market bookies and whoever wants to gamble will find a bookie legally or not, just like drugs.

There are many places in the world where gambling is illegal and banned but do people quit gambling? No, they just find ways to gamble through the black market and hide everything from the legal authorities.

So, gambling cannot be banned completely, it can only be restricted to be played legally.

Also, note that in countries where gambling is banned is because of the religious regions and not because people lose money in gambling.

[Luzin]

I agree with the majority of responses that he should not be banned. Mostly because of the mess banning it is. The best thing is the current regulations with mandatory responsible gaming features.

The thing is that crypto gambling houses often escape this, but I think they do not have many years until they are fully regulated and have to follow the same procedures as fiat houses.

Some countries have different rules in the judiciary. They certainly have their own reasons, because state ownership is in the hands of the governments of each country. There is a country whose source of tax revenue is from gambling in Macau. But there are also other sources.
So it is prohibited or not different policies in each country. Of course if I were in a country where gambling was banned I would probably comply. Because if I violated I could get a monetary penalty or imprisonment. But I still respect countries that legalize the Gambling because they certainly benefit.

[KTChampions]

Gambling should not be banned but different strategies and programmes should be put in place to discourage underage gambling and reduce gambling addictions. The government, parents and other non-government organisations should put certain roadblocks that would be able restrict access to gambling platforms by underage users. Certain remedial or anti-addiction programmes should be constantly put in place or organised to help gambling addict break free from addiction. Gambling services advertisement should also be regulated to ensure that it gets to the appropriate target audience or market.       

I wonder how this can be achieved without resorting to KYC and other totalitarian methods? I mean most of the gamblers on this site are used to playing without KYC (thanks to cryptocurrencies), but how in this case (if cryptocurrencies and the internet are available to everyone) can underage players be cut off without introducing total KYC? I continue to be of the opinion that many issues should remain the responsibility of the family and not affect other people (no one should be forced to go through KYC). It’s just that those parents whose children will be caught gambling should bear some certain responsibility before the law.

[Viscore]

Of course no.

Adult people can decide what to do with their money. It is not the government's business. People should have the right to lose money. If online gambling is going to get banned, they should ban real life gambling too. There is barely a difference.

What we need is a better education system and less population. Without these, there will always be lots of losers.

Gambling has become more established these days as they are now backed with big authorities. So what's the reason of banning it? Just because of a heavy loss? That is why only adults are allowed to gamble because they can already perceive what's right from wrong. If they will gamble all their hard-earned money, then they should be ready for the consequences. Gambling is designed for fun and entertainment, if one gambler goes beyond it and exceeds on his limits, i guess that's already his own problem. The gambling companies should not to be blame for it.

[Lanatsa]

Of course no.

Adult people can decide what to do with their money. It is not the government's business. People should have the right to lose money. If online gambling is going to get banned, they should ban real life gambling too. There is barely a difference.

What we need is a better education system and less population. Without these, there will always be lots of losers.

Gambling has become more established these days as they are now backed with big authorities. So what's the reason of banning it? Just because of a heavy loss? That is why only adults are allowed to gamble because they can already perceive what's right from wrong. If they will gamble all their hard-earned money, then they should be ready for the consequences. Gambling is designed for fun and entertainment, if one gambler goes beyond it and exceeds on his limits, i guess that's already his own problem. The gambling companies should not to be blame for it.

They are up to the revenue that it gives rather than being too mindful about their citizens condition in related to gambling addiction.Gambling should be banned? It would be entirely be depending on a countries governing

bodies whether they would really be taking up that consideration or would be totally go or mind off about the revenue that it gives.Gambling is for leisure and even though this sounds  negative for most people but there

are ones who are really that willing to spend some money just to acquire these things.Its their money then its their business to take and how they should be spending those.
Addiction is a personal type of problem because if you are really that good on controlling yourself then you wont really be ending up on this point.

[Hispo]

As for harm to oneself, a person should have the right to do so...

Thats when the line between individual rights and possible mental troubles becomes fuzzy, because depending whom one ask gambling could be described as a normal social activity or a mental (or eve spiritual) illness; and it is the job of psychologist and psychiatrists to know where to draw the line.

This reminds me the debate about euthanasia, whether one have the right to die or not, but I think that would be another topic for further discussion on a different board, like Politics & Society.

I don't want "professionals" to decide for me what is good or bad for me and whether I have the right to make myself feel bad. Does this seem like an irrational desire? But if suddenly they start to take away “bad food” from you by force and force you to go to the gym, then you probably won’t like it either, although it seems to be to your benefit.

It is not about taking away things that could be harmful for oneself in the long term, I think. It is more about making sure one is fully aware of the consequences of the habits one adopts.

That is why smoking is legal even though it is scientifically proven to be harmful for one's health, in order for the smokers to be aware of these harmful effects cigarettes boxes include those warnings printed on the boxes, this also happens with the alcohol and raw meat.

[n0ne]

In my country actors who promote gambling sites are responsible for deaths happening with the users below the age of 18 years. This has kept the actors and popular people away from promoting gambling sites. Those gambling sites aren't provably fair operating. In such a way regulations can be created and proper awareness need to be given. This can help gamblers limit their participation and stay out of big losses.