Gambling: Moral or Immoral?

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

[budwiesest]

This computer I've been clickin' on these last few years was paid for by Boomtown, Reno, NV. Went like this: Put a twenty in a dollar machine, hit triple diamond, red seven, triple diamond on about the third pull.

Last week, my wife wondered which machine to play on Megabucks in Vegas. I said, "How about this one?", I put a twenty in, she pulled once and hit $480 (double red seven). I prefer craps myself, but when machines are loose, no complaints.

[sandlady]

Entertainment TAX! ;)

[Torie]

It is evil, evil, period, in the sense of government in any way fostering it. It costs consumers money, it causes addiction, and destroys families, fosters crime, and corrupts the political system (gambling interests pump tens of millions into the political systems, and hordes of legislative hacks are now their creatures, bought and paid for). The thought that government sponsers it as a money raiser makes my skin crawl. The thought that so call Native Americans are given a monopoly to do it untaxed (or undertaxed), makes me nausious. The thought that slot machines (the most addictive kind of gambling, since you get "gratification" about every 6 seconds; the more reps, the more the addiction) are coming to a neighborhood near you within easy driving distance from work in major urban area, is just squirting lighter fluid on the fire, since so many more will become addicted through repetition.

Just say no, damn it. No, I say.

[tarheelswamprat]

I dunno, but we do it every Election Day.

[philetus]

Nothing wrong with playing a game of chance for entertainment purposes, as long as you can afford it.

When you're spending your entire welfare check on lotto, and I've seen women do it, it's stupid.

[Some Fat Guy in L.A.]

This is exactly what I have said for years.....Looking at it this way, the lottery is nothing but a voluntary tax. If God leads me to play, I will. He hasn't yet....

[Theophilus]

For me, gambling is like salt on food. A nominal amount can make the outcome of a difference of opinion, a game of skill or a fanatic sporting event more delicious. We all love to get one over and I even enjoy the joy of my rival when I lose. It's worth the price of admission.

Gambling against the house; or to get rich quick; or for a living is like eating salt for the winner and being salt for the loser. It's disgusting and unpalatable. It is one of the lowest forms of the worship of money. I don't believe in "chance" or "Lady Luck" or any of the other nasty, lying consorts of Mammon. God knows nothing contingently. Don't try to tempt Him.

I utterly hate the lottery as a stupid tax, a disruption of commerce and the abuse of the dependents of fools and the hopeless. It is the evil "do as I say, not as I do"/"the end justifies the means" offspring of socialism and vice.

[Theophilus]

For what it's worth, here is my personal attitude: there is no such thing as "chance" or "coincidence."

Not a chance!

[RonPaulLives]

I would say the State Regulation of gambling is immoral.

I definitely agree with that. I have always called the State Lottery a "tax on the poor," because the poor are the ones playing it most and who can afford it the least.

On gambling in general, let me just say this.....I have never played bingo, have never gambled in a casino or riverboat, and can count on one hand the number of times in my life I have played a lottery game. All that being said, I also have never bungee jumped, walked in front of an oncoming car, or done any day trading. I am not a big risk-taker like that, one could say. But all these things I have listed are gambling.

[potlatch]

I'm with you! My husband and I have gone to Vegas countless times and we go to the gambling boat here in Texas. We really enjoy it and if we have the money to spend, or to lose, that's our choice.

[Ichneumon]

[fish hawk]

If gambling is immoral, there goes Wall Street.