Legalization = increased addiction

[Fivestar4everMVP]

For instance in the US it is a crucial point because eight now many states are legalising gambling whereas the only permissible form was state lotteries which were not so addictive. For instance you may buy a ticket but the odds of winning were so low that there was no instant gratification. And the proceeds we're largely used for good causes too.

Now gambling is all about super fast wins and advertising that is projecting false standards. So people are seeing it everywhere and accessing it by just making a bank wire that is instantly credited just like paying for a streaming subscription.

Maybe it's better for the collective good that gambling remains non legalized.

If gambling remains non-legalised, how then will the government tax the gambling platforms, that is, platforms offering gambling services like the casinos, both online and offline and so on?
Because something I feel you do not understand is that the government didn't just wake up one morning and decided to start legaliizing gambling where gambling and gambling services used to be illegal, they legalised because they can now make money from both the gamblers and the gambling platforms by charging them to pay tax.

This is especially in countries like the US where they have a very good taxation system that keep proper check to ensure that every citizens and businesses that makes money from the US soil do not escape payment of tax, so this is the reason they decided to legalize gambling, they didn't do it because they care about people's happiness or whatever, they care more about the money they are going to be making.

[Fiatless]

If gambling remains non-legalised, how then will the government tax the gambling platforms, that is, platforms offering gambling services like the casinos, both online and offline and so on?
Because something I feel you do not understand is that the government didn't just wake up one morning and decided to start legaliizing gambling where gambling and gambling services used to be illegal, they legalised because they can now make money from both the gamblers and the gambling platforms by charging them to pay tax.

This is especially in countries like the US where they have a very good taxation system that keep proper check to ensure that every citizens and businesses that makes money from the US soil do not escape payment of tax, so this is the reason they decided to legalize gambling, they didn't do it because they care about people's happiness or whatever, they care more about the money they are going to be making.

Some countries don't care about the revenue that is generated from gambling. They claim that they are more concerned about the safety of their citizens. Some of them claim that gambling is draining the finances of their citizens and underage gambling is affecting the young generation. 

I will always support proper regulation of the gambling industry. A total ban will give rise to underground or illegal gambling.

[Frankolala]

I agree with you OP, because those that are not supposed to start gambling will start gambling in order to win big since, gambling has been legalized, since there's nothing to fear or gamble in secret any more. Non gamblers can be lured to gamble by their friends wins or the ads they see on billboard place on major roads.

[Satofan44]

For instance in the US it is a crucial point because eight now many states are legalising gambling whereas the only permissible form was state lotteries which were not so addictive. For instance you may buy a ticket but the odds of winning were so low that there was no instant gratification. And the proceeds we're largely used for good causes too.

Now gambling is all about super fast wins and advertising that is projecting false standards. So people are seeing it everywhere and accessing it by just making a bank wire that is instantly credited just like paying for a streaming subscription.

Maybe it's better for the collective good that gambling remains non legalized.

If gambling remains non-legalised, how then will the government tax the gambling platforms, that is, platforms offering gambling services like the casinos, both online and offline and so on?
Because something I feel you do not understand is that the government didn't just wake up one morning and decided to start legaliizing gambling where gambling and gambling services used to be illegal, they legalised because they can now make money from both the gamblers and the gambling platforms by charging them to pay tax.

This is especially in countries like the US where they have a very good taxation system that keep proper check to ensure that every citizens and businesses that makes money from the US soil do not escape payment of tax, so this is the reason they decided to legalize gambling, they didn't do it because they care about people's happiness or whatever, they care more about the money they are going to be making.

This may seem to you like a good argument, but it is not because it is based on a flawed assumption that there is something to collect/tax. If the enforcement of a gambling ban is effective, then there is no need to "collect" the tax because there is no taxable activity being generated. The issue is only where you have ineffective enforcement of something that is outlawed, such as drugs. Even if they are banned, the market is generating billions and billions of dollars per year anyway because the enforcement simply does not work (or maybe it can't work at all, but that is a separate subject). In cases like that, then your argument would apply. Instead of money going to legitimate businesses and taxes being collected from those businesses and individuals the money goes purely to criminals.

Enforcing gambling bans is much easier than enforcing drug bans though. When it comes to physical gambling, they can effectively destroy 99% of the volume by a ban -- it will only remain with shady/underground venues, but normal people would never visit those. They would be for addicts, semi-addicts and criminals and with that the offline gambling was already taken out of equation. The other part would be online, and even with that it is possible to prevent most average people from seeing and being able to gamble. So yes, if you make a proper ban you don't need to tax anything because there is nothing to tax.

[Chinesebaby]

I was reading some statistics and it became apparently obvious that addiction goes straight up when gambling is legalized.

Yes, that's absolutely true, and there are many factors that wasn't in place before which limited the number of gamblers and likewise those who got addicted to it. And immediately gambling becomes legalize, so are we likely to see more gambling advertisement on both social media and physical banners all promoting different casinos. And likewise so is the number of casinos in that region likely to also double due to the new law been passed, making gambling legal. And we all know that the less restriction bee place on gambling, the more people are likely to start gambling, of which both people who are underage and of age.

So to know, the best approach to countries that legalize gambling should be for them to apply strict policies to ensure that people who are not yet of the age of gambling do not have access to it.

[Wakate]

Countries that legalize gambling have their reasons of doing so and that do not mean that they want many of these citizens to become addicted to gambling. Those that are becoming addictive to gambling are doing so because they are not conscious of the risks that are involved in gambling. Not everybody can gamble successfully because of the risks that is involved.

[Slow death]

So, ok, what are we going to base our opinion on?

Statistics show that the direct effect of legalization is increased addiction and problem gambling.
Can we even combat this? Maybe in the long term countries with better infrastructure to help those in need will do better but does it help at all when the risk is always there for everyone to get addicted more easily than with harder access without a legalization scheme?

It's both a question of ethics as well as practical sociology because maybe there's a way to do legalized gambling without prompting such high increases in addiction and it could be that we haven't discovered it yet. But till then is it ok to let casinos just be while the results of increased addiction are expected?

Why are people allowed to own cars? We all know that car accidents, which cause many deaths, happen every day and every hour. So why are cars allowed to exist? We all know that the knives we use for cooking are being used to commit crimes, but why are knives allowed to exist? The reason is simple: each person is responsible for themselves.

The moment a person turns 18, they should know what is wrong and what is right. Gambling in itself doesn't harm anyone, casinos don't harm anyone. But if a person, even with all the warnings (warnings not to gamble excessively, warnings not to look at gambling as a way to make money, warnings not to gamble with money they can't afford to lose), ignores all these warnings, then that person is guilty of their own misfortune. You can't blame the government, blame casinos, or blame gambling.

[Promocodeudo]

Countries that legalize gambling have their reasons of doing so and that do not mean that they want many of these citizens to become addicted to gambling. Those that are becoming addictive to gambling are doing so because they are not conscious of the risks that are involved in gambling. Not everybody can gamble successfully because of the risks that is involved.

One thing people leave behind when discussing about addiction is that addiction is born as a result of habit, gambling is not for everyone wether we like it or not, there are guys that are not supposed to gamble at all because they don't have control over events happen around them, talk more of controlling their habit, yea legalization of gambling in a country is for a purpose but we can not say it can't spike up the urge for many people to get trapped by addiction but the intention of the government for taking such action is not to get more people trapped into excessive gambling and beside no one is forced into it, it is a self decision not by persuasion.

[Accardo]

I agree with you OP, because those that are not supposed to start gambling will start gambling in order to win big since, gambling has been legalized, since there's nothing to fear or gamble in secret any more. Non gamblers can be lured to gamble by their friends wins or the ads they see on billboard place on major roads.

whenever something illegal seems a little bit losed up, and the law stops treating participants of such activity too harsh, more people would go into it, Gambling is something legal, but despite being legal in the eyes of the law, it was more like an Illegal activity in the past, considering how societies treated the activity, because more parental hands have let lose on the stiffened treatment wards received for participating in gambling unlike decades ago, coupled with the availability of mobile cell phones, the rate of participants skyrocketed, tracking rates reduced too, those days, one would fear they'll be seen going to a gambling shop, today nobody goes there anymore, players can now bet while in their room.  

[lionheart78]

Gambling being legalized means more exposure to gambling for the masses.  Advertisements and marketing can be openly done to those of legal age, and sadly, even minors are also exposed to gambling advertisements that entice them to try or engage in gambling.

It is a no-brainer that the more people who engage in gambling, the higher the possibility of more people getting addicted to gambling.  Although gambling addiction  is more on personal level of how gamblers interact with gambling platforms, the government, knowing the intensity of gambling addiction, should create campaigns and programs that, if not help avoid gambling addiction, help people whoare in the verge of gambling addiction.  The government must be aggressively reactive in helping those who are suffering through consultation and free gambling addiction rehabilitation programs.  The government is earning money from people through gambling, so the government should invest in facilities and services that ease people's burden in recovering.

[Ever-young]

Countries that legalize gambling have their reasons of doing so and that do not mean that they want many of these citizens to become addicted to gambling. Those that are becoming addictive to gambling are doing so because they are not conscious of the risks that are involved in gambling. Not everybody can gamble successfully because of the risks that is involved.

The truth is that, whether legal or not, people would still continue to gamble, and those who wish to become addicted would still be addicted, and it’s not even about it being legal or not. Take for instance, I believe every country where gambling is legal has placed a ban on minors from accessing gambling, both online and offline, but does that stop minors from gambling and even getting addicted to gambling? Of course not.

[Odusko]

Well, legalization could actually increase the addiction like you said but even if it's not legalized there would still be addiction and some scammers would also use the opportunity to start stealing from people and also, the government would likely not benefit from it, so I think it's just necessary for the benefit of the government and also some lucky citizens that always win big prizes, just that they should keep giving addiction awareness to the public so that people can know what they are doing.

For clarity's sake legalising gambling if government effectively manages it could even lower the tendency of gambling addictions in the society since most people will be approaching gambling with better awareness that is created by government efforts  since their already Abe regulations for gambling as much as other factors of the society, citizens will have less concerns for gambling addictions because their will be proper gambling behaviour monitoring from the government.

[TastyChillySauce00]

Legalizing gambling means you're allowing all of your citizen to play it. So people who are not familiar with gambling can also try it. So it's attracting more people to play. When casino has more users due to the legalization, the percentage of people who getting addicted is also increase. Basically more players mean more addiction.

However, keep banning gambling won't also solve addiction problem because people can still access it through VPN. The better to put it in the gray area. It's because gambling addiction basically a never ending problem. It's has been a problem ever since before phone and internet exist.

So the only solution is that creating a self exclusion body, and also financial restriction for those who get addicted.

[aipercoin]

I was reading some statistics and it became apparently obvious that addiction goes straight up when gambling is legalized.

Here's a news article:
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/sports-gambling/gambling-disorder-increased-legalized-sports-betting-rcna351785

For instance in the US it is a crucial point because eight now many states are legalising gambling whereas the only permissible form was state lotteries which were not so addictive. For instance you may buy a ticket but the odds of winning were so low that there was no instant gratification. And the proceeds we're largely used for good causes too.

Now gambling is all about super fast wins and advertising that is projecting false standards. So people are seeing it everywhere and accessing it by just making a bank wire that is instantly credited just like paying for a streaming subscription.

Maybe it's better for the collective good that gambling remains non legalized.

gambling is evidently something that has been legalized because of its interest to the state, in fact they make money from it, in some states it is not possible to play legally, but in other states it is and when you play and the state makes money everything is allowed, that's how it is, whether you like it or not, in any case i play too so it's better that way.

[Pandu Geddon]

The truth is that, whether legal or not, people would still continue to gamble, and those who wish to become addicted would still be addicted, and it’s not even about it being legal or not. Take for instance, I believe every country where gambling is legal has placed a ban on minors from accessing gambling, both online and offline, but does that stop minors from gambling and even getting addicted to gambling? Of course not.

Whether legal or illegal, it doesn't really stop people from gambling. But I believe that when gambling is legal in a country, an increase in gambling activity will be noticeable. It might seem like there's an increase because previously there might not have been accurate data. But when everything is legal, the government could have data on the rise of gamblers in their country. As for the increase in addiction rates, I think it could go either way. I'm sure gambling addiction cases vary in every country. Even those that strictly forbid gambling can have quite a high number of gambling addicts.

[Ronsbit]

In this way, the citizens of a country would be afraid to gamble because the government does not allow such within its jurisdiction. So anybody caught gambling or supporting gambling in any way would be dealt with and made to face the law, but when gambling is legalized, you see people being comfortable playing games because the law permits them to do so, and when it happens that they could play and win big, why would there not be an increase in the number of gamblers in that country, and this would definitely lead to addiction because they are at free will to gamble as muuch as they want and the law does not prohibit them from doing such so it is gambling spree for them.

[Dunamisx]

Gambling legalization does not encourage for addiction in it, people should learn how they put gamble in a more responsible manner for their own personal interest, we should not gamble in such a way that we affect us by the decision we make in it, everyone know that this is an intention for entertainment purpose and not to strive ourselves into it or anything that may later affect us if found addicted into it.

[sompitonov]

Gambling legalization does not encourage for addiction in it, people should learn how they put gamble in a more responsible manner for their own personal interest, we should not gamble in such a way that we affect us by the decision we make in it, everyone know that this is an intention for entertainment purpose and not to strive ourselves into it or anything that may later affect us if found addicted into it.

Legalizing gambling is a normal process, but it's important to create various social protections against uncontrolled advertising, which will be everywhere, and to consider protecting young people, who can easily succumb to the idea of ​​easy money, although this is naturally a false notion. Furthermore, it's necessary to create a foundation for the protection and treatment of problem gamblers, who find it extremely difficult to control themselves, otherwise they will end up in serious debt, for example, which could ruin their lives. And if this doesn't work, then more stringent measures must be taken, such as restricting gambling locations and strictly limiting advertising.

[coin-investor]

Maybe it's better for the collective good that gambling remains non legalized.

Gambling platforms like horse racing, lottery, and physical casinos are a source of revenue for our country, so if you ban them, the health sector that benefits from gambling revenues will suffer. Similar cases are also happening in other countries.

If you ban gambling operations, there's a possibility that gambling operators will go underground, bringing their loyal users with them, so the authorities will spend time and money to catch them. Legalizing them will make it easy for authorities to control them.

[Tungbulu]

Some countries don't care about the revenue that is generated from gambling. They claim that they are more concerned about the safety of their citizens. Some of them claim that gambling is draining the finances of their citizens and underage gambling is affecting the young generation. 

I will always support proper regulation of the gambling industry. A total ban will give rise to underground or illegal gambling.

That's true, there are some countries that choose to ban gambling instead of legalizing it, because the care about the wellbeing of their citizens and knowing how bad it will affect the young ones, they will just ban it and this is just the right thing to do as a government that loves and cares about their citizens. But, for those countries that can't ban gambling, they have to make sure that people who gambles are doing it in a responsible way, that is to say, they have to treat gambling as entertainment game and stay strict to the rules of no underage gambling, as it can also be of help.