Americans bet $125B on sports in 4 years since legalization

[Twilight Hue]

Casinos fund support groups and prevention treatment programs for compulsive gamblers.
.

And the state funds it for their payouts to their pork barrel and lobbiest benefactors.

 

[Suave]

Americans bet $125B on sports in 4 years since legalization | AP News




I thought this was interesting, since there has been more and more gambling in America overall. When I was a kid, gambling tended to be associated with just Nevada and Atlantic City. Even state lotteries weren't all that common, and they were nowhere near the big bonanza of the Powerball or MegaMillions that we have today. Sports books existed, but they were generally illegal and underground, in the realm of organized crime. Even where it was legal, organized crime seemed to dominate, such as the Mob's control of Vegas up until the 70s and 80s.

But there are also those who think of gambling as evil and a terrible vice, something that respectable people wouldn't do. My paternal grandparents had that view, as they saw any winnings from gambling as the same thing as stealing it. I even recall a local Catholic church was under attack for running bingo games (to raise money for the church), but since it involved gambling, some people were against it.

But now, it seems that societal attitudes have changed quite a bit. Gambling seems to be a big industry now. But as a result, the article mentioned that this has increased the number of problem gamblers out there.

As for me, I've never been much of a gambler. I've dabbled in it, but I'm just not very lucky. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose.

Any gamblers here? Is there anyone who believes that gambling is against their religion or that it could be seen as stealing? Should gambling be legal?

Since my ancestors stole Native American land, I am a patron of gift shops in tribal owned casinos where I help support Native Americans by purchasing their cigarettes and blankets.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I'm the same way. If I can't win with one ticket, I won't with ten.

I hate games of pure chance. That's why I tend to stick to poker and blackjack because there is a degree of strategy, with blackjack enabling a player to shift the odds away from leaning for the house and poker generally allowing for the more skilled players to win. Not always, of course, but that's what makes it so fun. It's strategy with a twist of randomness (oddly, I hate Risk for this reason).

 

[Father Heathen]

As a fan of freedom, I believe gambling, prostitution, cannabis, etc. should be legalized, taxed, regulated, licensed, etc.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Since my ancestors stole Native American land, I am a patron of gift shops in tribal owned casinos where I help support Native Americans by purchasing their cigarettes and blankets.

Me too. I have a great throw rug that I use all the time from the Navajo nation at a trading post. It's absolutely beautiful and the characteristics from my personal use makes it a valued companion that will remain with me hopefully for the rest of my life.

 

[Twilight Hue]

And the state funds it for their payouts to their pork barrel and lobbiest benefactors.

As an additional mention I would like to add at what the state takes from Native casinos...


New York State wins payout in Native American casino dispute

Yea. New York and its kangaroo court system is as corrupt in its gambling as anything else. Even to the point of still robbing Indigenous nations to this very day.

 

[Subduction Zone]

As an additional mention I would like to add at what the state takes from Native casinos...


New York State wins payout in Native American casino dispute

Yea. New York and its kangaroo court system is as corrupt in its gambling as anything else. Even to the point of still robbing Indigenous nations to this very day.

Sorry, but one cannot tell anything from that source without a subscription.