I’ve long been pro vice. People should be free to drink, fuck, do drugs, gamble… Strict prohibition doesn’t work, can backfire, and often involves a lot of state violence. But there’s a difference between a trip to Vegas or a Native American nation here and there, friday night poker with the friends, and a charity Monte Carlo night from time to time vs what we have now.
The current gambling situation in America is like having a vodka faucet in every home that can’t be disconnected. It’s like being besieged with ads for opiate delivery apps. It makes gambling so easy an addict can’t avoid it and it’s constantly being shoved down our throats. When gambling was difficult it was reasonable for a person without an addictive personality or family history of addiction to give it a shot, but these days it’s like playing with fire while unable to tell if you’re coated in gasoline.
A lot of the problem is lack of regulation and enforcement. These apps play fast and loose with self exclusion and identifying problem gamblers, with no real consequences. They also tend to ban or heavily limit anyone who wins big. There’s also been a few stories of sports books canceling bets as obvious errors to avoid large payouts.
It would be a lot better if regulation more closely aligned with that of alcohol.
I’ve long been pro vice. People should be free to drink, fuck, do drugs, gamble… Strict prohibition doesn’t work, can backfire, and often involves a lot of state violence. But there’s a difference between a trip to Vegas or a Native American nation here and there, friday night poker with the friends, and a charity Monte Carlo night from time to time vs what we have now.
The current gambling situation in America is like having a vodka faucet in every home that can’t be disconnected. It’s like being besieged with ads for opiate delivery apps. It makes gambling so easy an addict can’t avoid it and it’s constantly being shoved down our throats. When gambling was difficult it was reasonable for a person without an addictive personality or family history of addiction to give it a shot, but these days it’s like playing with fire while unable to tell if you’re coated in gasoline.
A lot of the problem is lack of regulation and enforcement. These apps play fast and loose with self exclusion and identifying problem gamblers, with no real consequences. They also tend to ban or heavily limit anyone who wins big. There’s also been a few stories of sports books canceling bets as obvious errors to avoid large payouts.
It would be a lot better if regulation more closely aligned with that of alcohol.