Why is the cash advance limit on credit cards always less then the total credit limit?

Question

Why is the cash advance limit on credit cards always less then the total credit limit?

Answer 1

They don't want you to be maxing out your card for something illegal or gambling and then not pay.

Answer 2

On two of my three cards (Chase and FIA), the cash advance limit matches the credit limit, meaning I could pull the whole thing out of an ATM at once.

Answer 3

One reason is the interest is much higher on a cash advance and a lot of people end up not being able to pay it off.