If you allow state lotteries, then ALL gambling should be legal

[Yavin4]

Any state that has a state lottery, should make ALL gambling legal. it's hypocrisy to have games of chance with no real possibility of winning and outlaw other games of chance where at least there's a better chance of winning.

[Blue_Tires]

1. I never figured you for a degenerate gambler...

I like my action too, on occasion...

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. What is the actual benefit in making all other forms of gambling legal? and to whom?

Making it more easy for problem gamblers to get fleeced, more money to flow into private pockets? Since the game is always 'rigged' for the house, a 'better chance of winning' is just 'losing more slowly'. And people are going to blow through more cash playing poker or slots or whatever than ever they do through buying a lottery ticket.

[trof]

3. Taxes

State coffers.
Eventually 'the people'?
Maybe a little bit?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

5. From money collected from people who can't really afford it in the first place?

Are you going to collect 95% in taxes? Or is most of it going to wind up just making rich people richer?

[trof]

6. No, I'd settle for 10%.

You'd possibly surprised at the number of peole who cannot only afford to gamble, they like to do it.

If you like, we could means test gamblers.
You'd have to show proof of liquid assets of $XXXXXX... or more to be admitted to the casino.

While we're at it, let's do the same for cigarettes, snuff, booze, and tattoo buyers.
If you're too poor, you can't play/buy.
But then, who gets to pick the $number?

Of course the rich (casino owners) will get richer.
That's why they open casinos.

[Bottoms_Up]

11. well, you don' get rich from giving your money away. eom

[Ex Lurker]

19. Consenting adults should be able to make their own choices

and not all forms of gambling are rigged. In poker, horse racing, and sports betting, the house merely acts as a clearinghouse between bettors, after taking a cut off the top. A skilled handicapper or poker player can make a profit. It takes a lot of work and dedication, but it is very possible.

[Bottoms_Up]

4. Many state lotteries give a ton of funds other initatives.

State wildlife, schools, anti gambling programs, general state funds, etc...
What you're suggesting is literally privatizing the lottery system.
Think a private for-profit lottery enterprise would give most of their profits back to government programs?

That idea is stupid.

[trof]

7. Again, you tax the hell out of it.

I think we're talking about casino gambling here.

[meaculpa2011]

9. New York State OTB has...

been losing money for decades.

Corruption is rampant. Incompetence is breathtaking.

A racket is still a racket even if it's run by the good people in government.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Legal gambling is regulated and taxed

US sports betting law is antiquated. Maybe the fantasy sites force a resolution. They know their window will close soon enough, ergo the current gold rush mentality.

[trumad]

10. Thank you

It's the non-regulation that is worrisome.

[lpbk2713]

12. The state sponsored lottery is a tax on poor math skills.

Even though I throw my own money away on it from time to time.

And you make a valid point.

[malthaussen]

13. Gambling, though is like a regressive tax

Yeah, plenty of people gamble who can afford it, but lots more do who cannot afford it. Supposedly, the argument in favor of state-run lotteries is that a larger portion of the proceeds go to the State. Whereas, in a privatized game, due allowance must be made for profits.

But then, criminal gambling, be it numbers, bookies, or the game in the back room, contribute nothing at all to taxes, either. I guess it's a question of whether you want the profits to go to organized crime or corporations. Oh, sorry, I'm repeating myself.

-- Mal

[Yavin4]

17. Cigarette, gas, and alcohol taxes are all regressive as well. n/t

[Buzz Clik]

14. You pissed off about Draft Kings and FanDuel?

[Yavin4]

18. No. Pissed off at having to wait for idiots to buy lottery tickets. n/t

[bluedigger]

15. And any billion dollar gambling industry should be regulated to ensure fair play.

Problem solved.

[malaise]

16. Are you following the insider trading related to the

Fantasy gambling??