Gambling: Moral or Immoral?

Thomas G Herrick | May 31,1957 | Thomas G Herrick

[Now_is_The_Time]

I have always considered it self-destructive because games are rigged for you to lose. I guess that would make it immoral, but it isn't like killing someone.

[pepperdog]

Well let me be the first :-)

I don't know if it's moral or immoral, but I'm pretty sure it's stupid.

[dakine]

Exactly...entertainment cash...

[csmusaret]

As long as there is money to be made there will be Bingo at the Church.

[pepperdog]

Ah heck! I thought I'd be first! You are too quick.

[dakine]

Give ya' 4-1 that the moral police show up soon....

[Riverman94610]

Never gamble in a game that two can play!

[stylin19a]

I bet it is immoral

[ozzymandus]

I don't think it's immoral, but it's stupid, and I should know. However, if stupid people want to gamble, it's fine with me.

[ErnBatavia]

[GSlob]

Well, some years ago there was an article in Wall Street Journal about the lottery winners (the article mentioned two people, each of whom won two jackpots of a few million over several months. It also mentioned that every lottery winner was immediately beset with requests for money, frequently rather comical and coming from complete strangers).
IIRC, they also mentioned a father-son team who had spent their lifetime savings of some $10000 on the lottery tickets and all they could later say about it was "at the time it looked like a good investment".

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thank you for reminding me to check Wednesday's winning Lotto numbers, and to pick up a ticket for tonight's drawing ;-)

4 bucks a week when I actually remember, versus spending the mortgage payment or the grocery money, is different. I like Vegas for the people watching, but nickel slots were few and far between, back when I was there last.

Btw, your article is excellent, and thanks for posting it.

[dfwgator]

Gambling = A tax on stupidity

[snarks_when_bored]

Gambling: Moral or Immoral?

I'll bet this is a trick question...

[mdefranc]

"I have always considered it self-destructive because games are rigged for you to lose." - Now_is_The_Time

Gambling will not exist in institutional settings (Las Vegas or church basements) unless the house wins over time. Such "unfairness" is not itself destructive to players, unless one believes that consumers are irrational in weighing subjective value against costs - a dangerous belief, indeed.

[Hebrews 11:6]

For what it's worth, here is my personal attitude: there is no such thing as "chance" or "coincidence." Thus, whether gambling is moral or not, in the absence of chance it is truly boring.

If God wants to send me money I haven't earned, He knows where to find me. In the meantime, He has instructed me to keep gainfully employed, so I'll keep doing that, because such obedience is definitely moral.

[Chasaway]

The lottery:

A tax on people who are bad at math.

[Mark was here]

I would say the State Regulation of gambling is immoral.

To me a casino is like a garbage can with a sign hanging on it that reads "Throw your money in here and maybe I will double it!"

People should be free to hang signs on their garbage cans, and if other people want to throw their money it, well good for them.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

The present personal expenditure on gambling is something near $196M annually;

That can't be right. Considering all the state lottos give away hundreds of millions each year, yet make money. Something smells in Denmark, concerning this figure, and it surely aint fish.