Is It Fair to Ban Gambling for Everyone Because of Addicted Gamblers?

[danherbias07]

If a country uses gambling as a source of its income, then it must have done something right that would not let its people become addicted to it.

I think what they must do is restrict their countrymen from gambling instead of banning it. It will be a waste of effort and all the laws they must've gone through just to make it their source of income or to boost their economy through gambling if they ban it.
The restriction could have different rules, such as requiring a large entry fee for citizens, as Singapore is doing. For all the tourists, it will be free, and that's for the purpose of boosting their tourism and also their source of income.
Let the gambling be for the rich, and let the poor refrain from gambling, especially those who just have an average income.

[Mhizlove]

Complete bans of gambling won't always solve the problem because certain gamblers can simply move to underground or unregulated platforms. In such situation, the risk can even increase since the players gets government loss and less protection control. For me I will say that with a better public awareness, stronger regulation and with tools like self exclusion or betting limits programs can be more balanced way to approach it. The goal is to be able to reduce harm while it can still let responsible adult ls make their choices or decisions.

[Nathrixxx]

Gambling should not be banned because of a gambler who is addicted, to me I will say that addiction is a choice because everyone gambling are not addicted except those that failed to apply the right approach needed of them in gambling.

This also talks about being responsible and cautious of what is happening around you, every Gambler is expected to see it as an entertainment and not to affect us in a negative manner, anyone abusing the privilege to gamble will definitely face the consequences of addiction and other abnormalities, personal discipline could go a long way and we can as well deal with every possible causes to addiction in gambling by ourselves, but not to ban gambling.

[Vaculin]

Me as a gambler, I would really protest if gambling is banned in our country just because of some irresponsible individuals who do not practice responsible gambling. It should not be the fault of others and everyone gets punished, that is not the right thing to do.

Gambling sites are everywhere, if a country bans it, that will not solve gambling addiction because we can easily access it online. What they will miss is the revenue from taxes, which will just go to overseas or offshore casinos because for sure gamblers will go there since they have no option.

They should look at this angle.

[Obulis]

This is a very hard question without direct answer. For me their can not be a yes or no to this question looking at it individually or socially. Individually, every adult decides how to spend their time and money. In this case, the question is what is really the danger behind gambling addiction? This is because if it's financial loses then restaurants, bars and other means that people spends money uncontrollably should also be ban. On societal view, the nature of gambling is such that it not passive income opportunity and so can cause a collateral damage that affects family directly and the society indirectly.
A total ban of gambling can even cause more risk by it remaining underground. Any government can cause restrictions of many kind but not a total ban that wouldn't work.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

For example, Macau is the only region of China that legalized casino gambling, if they never saw the advantage of it in terms of generating high revenue for them, they would have also ban it just region in China, so what I'm trying to point out is that, if gambling is actually very important in the economy of a country, they won't have to ban it due to the addiction that some players exhibit, they will definitely find solution to addiction instead of banning it. If the government actually sees that banning gambling is the best solution of their problem, then they have the final say.

[rdluffy]

My opinion is that simply banning everything and everyone is pointless
They will always find a way to circumvent the block if the person really wants to gamble

What they did here in Brazil is create a service to exclude yourself of all betting services
You can access the service, register, and request the exclusion of all betting sites

This can be temporary or permanent

It's a solution that can help those who want to without affect others

[Crakryptvest]

It is not about if it fair to ban gambling based on the concerns raised by the OP, it is about the money made from taxes being paid by the operators of those gambling firms that matters most to the government, athough the government might actually be concerned about the rate of gambling addiction in the society but in a country where huge funds are made from tax paid by the owners of the those casinos, I don't think that the government of those countries will ever think in the direction of banning gambling for the stated reasons, they can only advice that people should gamble responsibly aside that I don't know what they can do next.

[noorman0]

What are the true impacts of gambling addiction, huge losses, mental damage, criminal potential?
If the government regulates gambling as best as possible, there will be huge expenses behind huge revenues especially if addiction rates get higher. If we demand the government morally for cutting off several business flows to suppress addiction, why don't we also demand the same thing from everyone involved in that business?

[sompitonov]

What are the true impacts of gambling addiction, huge losses, mental damage, criminal potential?
If the government regulates gambling as best as possible, there will be huge expenses behind huge revenues especially if addiction rates get higher. If we demand the government morally for cutting off several business flows to suppress addiction, why don't we also demand the same thing from everyone involved in that business?

It's logical that protecting players from gambling addiction at various levels could be done easily, but I think many gaming platforms are reluctant to do so because they have a vested interest in maximizing profits. On the other hand, it's their problem, so a healthy nation that won't gamble away every penny and gradually ruin their lives and families is more important. Many countries have already realized this and are implementing various controls and restrictions at various levels to prevent addictions from developing. But we mustn't forget that if a player wants to gamble furiously or win back their losses, they will do so by any means necessary.

[Zlantann]

So what do you think governments should do instead of banning gambling completely?

Banning an activity because of addiction should be the last resort. The first move should be to make regulatory laws and establish government agencies that will enforce these laws. Casinos would have to protect those who show signs of addiction and prevent underage gambling.

The government of my country has also engaged in enlightenment programs that target the youth, teaching them about the dangers of gambling addiction. Those who are suffering from addiction should be given the necessary assistance that will help them become free.  

Illegal casinos should be tracked and restricted from operating. Registered casinos that violate established laws should be sanctioned accordingly.

[AYOBA]

You know what gambling does not only affect the person who chooses to gamble but when someone becomes addicted to gambling their families often suffers too. Savings disappears and debts increases even relationships break down and in some cases children and spouses pay the price for decisions they never made. I Know personal freedom is important  but the responsibility of a government is to protect the society from the activities that can cause harm to them. If an industry generates large profits while a majority number of peoples lose control over emotions and faces financial issues then the interests of ordinary peoples should come before government revenue.

Gambling addicted is causing a lots of problems for some people’s and that is why will never advice anyone to gamble to survive, it’s better to find another business doing than someone should involve themselves into a gambling. Because by the time they becomes addicted to it they will not have any control over themselves, even the money that they suppose use to survive with their families they will spend everything in gambling thinking that if they try again they can win.

But at times why I don’t blame some youths that involved themselves into gambling is that is lack of job satisfaction for the youths is what lead most of them to gambling, since is the responsibility of government to provide job opportunities to those who are not working; but he refuse that’s why everyone find their ways to survive.

[Smartprofit]

I'm a proponent of treating adults as adults, not as children. 🙋

Yes, gambling addiction is a serious problem. However, should the state solve this problem through bans and restrictions? In my opinion, no!

The state must create a favorable environment for the development of the potential of all citizens of this country. This is the state's primary responsibility. Prohibiting anything for its citizens is not something the state should do. It's no secret that uncertainty about the future, economic problems, and low wages are what drive people to gambling addiction. If people have a variety of interesting options for self-realization, they won't spend 24/7 playing in online casinos.

If the state prohibits people from gambling, they will circumvent these bans and restrictions. The state will lose some revenue, but most importantly, it will lose its credibility. If people break the rules en masse to circumvent state prohibitions, they will stop loving and respecting that state.

[purple_sparkles]

I’m convinced that if gambling is pushed outside the law, it won’t disappear,  it will simply go underground, and players will still find ways and places to gamble. That does not solve the problem of addiction at all. Moreover, I believe such an idea is a bad one because players would no longer be protected by the law, and in cases of fraud they might not even be able to defend their rights. A better option is not to ban gambling, but to raise the level of social awareness, run active financial literacy programs, and promote public campaigns that help people develop a mature attitude toward managing their money.

[Sanitough]

What are the true impacts of gambling addiction, huge losses, mental damage, criminal potential?
If the government regulates gambling as best as possible, there will be huge expenses behind huge revenues especially if addiction rates get higher. If we demand the government morally for cutting off several business flows to suppress addiction, why don't we also demand the same thing from everyone involved in that business?

What particular expense do you have in mind and why do you believe it requires huge expenses? Regulation for me does not need high expenses, it is just a strategy on how to minimize gambling addiction.

And since regulators are the ones making and implementing the rules, they have to ensure that casinos are complying with them. So it is not just one way, it is not only the government solving the problem, it should be both sides that are benefiting from it.

But it will not work without proper measures being put in place, and that is a big challenge in many nations. That is why they just resulted to banning gambling overall.

[Anayochukwu]

If gambling is one of the major sources of income for a country, is banning it completely really the best solution just because some people are addicted?

I know gambling addiction is a serious problem, but sometimes governments go straight to the last option which is banning it totally, instead of trying other ways to reduce the addiction first. Because if they ban gambling, everyone gets affected, not only the addicted gamblers. Responsible gamblers, workers, businesses, and even government income will be affected too.

So what do you think governments should do instead of banning gambling completely?

It's obvious that anything that is seen as a source of income can never be banned because of a few of people, because doing that would bring a lot of hardship to the country. To be honest, I don't think banning gambling completely would solve the country's problems because it's a normal thing for many gamblers. It will go a long way if the government looks for a way for other options instead, because just like as you have said, there are other responsible gamblers that are doing well, so they shouldn't go to that extent.

[Africolo]

If gambling is one of the major sources of income for a country, is banning it completely really the best solution just because some people are addicted?

I know gambling addiction is a serious problem, but sometimes governments go straight to the last option which is banning it totally, instead of trying other ways to reduce the addiction first. Because if they ban gambling, everyone gets affected, not only the addicted gamblers. Responsible gamblers, workers, businesses, and even government income will be affected too.

So what do you think governments should do instead of banning gambling completely?

I don't think any government will come out to say they will ban gambling especially when they are benefitting from it, there are countries that are generating revenue and collecting taxes from gambling companies so they wouldn't ban it, if the people get too addicted they can find a way to regulate them than banning it.

Gamblers shouldn't get greedy and addicted to it, and always stick to their budgets in that way the issue of addiction will be reduced but sometimes it's lack of Jobs that makes people addicted to gambling because they will want to earn money by all means and then results to gambling as it's the only cheapest way of making money if you are lucky and it doesn't require connections, just know how to analyze games, odds, team performances and you are good to go. For me instead of banning gambling government should regulate the way gamblers gamble.

[acroman08]

So what do you think governments should do instead of banning gambling completely?

Regulating(strictly if they have to) and creating programs that would help gamblers with their gambling issues, like rehabilitation centers, help lines, country-wide self-exclusion, etc., and programs about gambling awareness. That's probably the best thing they can do if they aren't going to completely ban gambling in the country.

[bitbollo]

Absolutely unfair.
But in general, this could be just impossible to do and there is an economic interest to keep gambling alive.
Just have a see in some countries where gambling has become a problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHry8GOawPk
The more you "restrict" legal business, the more players would try to play (illegally), or in non-regulated places.

[rachael9385]

Banning gambling doesn't automatically solve the problem of gambling addiction, people who are addicted to gamble will definitely find a way to gamble. Doing this only increases the problem because it gives room for underground gambling to be created and this can lead to a lot of criminal activities in a country. Gambling has been banned in some countries but one way or the other people still gamble.