Why is gambling illegal in most places?

Question

What is so bad about gambling that makes it illegal?

Answer 1

in western cultures, particularly where Christianity has taken hold, it's considered a "vice" or a "sin."

also, in many countries that have had gambling before, organized crime has taken over most of the vice business (e.g. prostitution, gambling, drugs, etc.) therefore, any one of them is considered a "gateway crime" for the rest by allowing gangs to attain a foothold. (commonly stated reason why there's no gambling in hawaii.

also, as you've probably noticed, it's extremely self-destructive.

Answer 2

The main reason that it is illegal is that the government can't make any money off of it!

They allow the lottery, horse racing and even bingo because they can make some money off of all those.

They don't allow sports betting or online gambling because there is no way for them to officially make money from these. If they could find a way, they would be legal in a heartbeat.

They are now allowing more casinos to open up because it is a huge source of revenue for local governments.

I live near Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in CT and the state of CT gets 25% of ALL slot revenue each month. That adds up to an amazing $10 million per month for the state!!!

Answer 3

I don't know what you mean by "in most places," so I can't fully answer the question. I know of a lot of places where gambling is legal. The problem a lot of people have with gambling is that people throw so much money away and some people see it as a sin to gamble.

Answer 4

what kind of gambling?  poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, horse/dog tracks... those games are illegal in most states. but bingo and lottery are allowed in most all the states.

the main reason states ban it is because it can destroy families with addicted husbands/fathers etc.  but hey those same gamblers find ways to gamble anyway.

Answer 5

The cheating.

Gambling operations need to be highly regulated so that they do not rip people off.

Answer 6

In South Carolina, it's actually a law: Not a turn of the card nor the roll of a die...

Technically, it's illegal to play go fish or Monopoly or any other game involving dice or playing cards.  The state government won't let the local Catawba Indians do anything more than 'super' bingo, but the Indians did kind of s***w up when they set up anyway (long story).

Needless to say, all our poker games are illegal and I have to travel to Georgia to play in the Amatuer Poker League for my regular fix or multi-table tourney play.

Answer 7

Gambling is not illegal in most places.  In fact, if you are talking about the United States, there is a lottery in place in 48 states.

What's weird about America is the inconsistent regional gambling laws that don't make any sense.

For example in Vegas, pretty much every gambling game exists, for people over 21.  In Virginia, you can enter an establishment that serves alcohol and bet horses at the age of 18 (you just can't drink).

On some Indian casinos all games have to be video based because wheels of chance, dice, and cards are all banned.  But on other Indian casinos, there are far fewer restrictions.

Some states have casinos in some parts, but they are illegal in other parts.  Some states allow horse betting, but not slot machines.

As far as I am concerned, if lottery is in the state, then all other forms of gambling should be too.  It makes no sense to allow only one kind of gambling; gambling is gambling.

And let's be real for a moment.  Gambling is about freedom.  In a free society, it is wrong for the government to tell us which forms of gambling are permissible in our locale.  How can it be sensible that an 18 year old can bet the horses in Virginia, but can't bet blackjack?

The gambling industry employs over a million workers in America.  So whatever social problems can stem from problem gambling, it cannot offset the massive amount of people who make a living in jobs that are in gambling or related to gambling.

And speaking of social problems, the fact that a small number of adults become 'addicted' to gambling, is their problem.  Smoking is allowed in every state, and yet it is almost guaranteed to kill you, and is always addictive.  There are plenty of casual gamers who gamble now and then, but almost every smoker smokes every day.

If you are going to make an argument for banning gambling (ignoring the massive financial impact this would have on the economy), you could make a better argument for banning smoking, using the same flawed logic.

Answer 8

Gambling is not illegal in most places, it's accepted.

Answer 9

The greatest evil of gambling is people (4-5%) who cannot control their gaming activity, they spend all the money they can find. We are told that gambling destroys families, children involves in gambling, suicides... after that everybody thinks it's a great evil!

Cars kill hundreds of thousands every year but nobody says prohibit the cars.

Gambling is like a drug for some people who becomes happy and very excited for a moment, it's a portion of adrenaline that makes them feel alive.