[Perfesser]

I suggest to all who care about virtues, morality and just "doing right" go back and review this thread and study every word of L.N.Smithee. While you're at it you'll have the opportunity to pick up some pointers on rational thinking, logic and making sense.
If you want my opinion, see above.

[L.N. Smithee]

Oh, my! I'm not sure I deserve praise that high, but thanks nonetheless.

[palmer]

I suggest people read your comments and others as a case study in missing the point. Most people reading this thread have not experienced the power trip of high rolling, so they are inclined to believe your "it's only gambling" argument. Some of those then question the judgement of a man who gambles such large quanities.

But it's all beside the point. The point of high rolling is to say "I can squander money so quickly that you will stick around just for a tiny fraction of it." It also says "When I go to the casino, I get treated with the utmost respect because they really know who I am" and "My $10,000 per hand bets is my qualification for this private room, etc."

These are statements of pure Vanity. This is not the same as consumption (a mercedes is comfortable and holds value), charity (personal satisfaction), or extravagance (Keynesian economic stimulation). It is about being high from when the limo picks you up to when it drops you off. Power corrupts and a virtuous man does not voluntarily put himself in the position where he can be corrupted.