Should gambling be made illegal?

markesmith

So I don't gamble, never liked to. But a family member, and a couple of people I know, have been ruined by "the bookies".

Now I'm as libertarian as the next fellow, but I believe also that gambling is a real scourge on people, and that unlike alcohol or drug addictions, you don't reach a stage where your body can't take any more gambling.

Bookies like Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, Boyle Sports and all those online poker playing places...they feed an addiction in a lot of people in this country. While not every gambler is an addict, it's obvious that a lot of lives have been ruined through addiction to the "flutter".

What are your thoughts? Personally, I think gambling gets off very lightly in comparison with "the demon drink" and Joe Duffy's diatribes on drugs.

Would love to hear your thoughts! First attempt at a poll, so bear with me on it.

starbelgrade

markesmith wrote: »

First attempt at a poll, so bear with me on it.

I bet you a tenner you fuck it up.

FreudianSlippers

I think it's proof of survival of the fittest, so... meh let it ride

almostnever

Definitely not.

KeithM89_old

People should be allowed to do what they want with their own money.
If i want to blow my cash on granny hookers and 2ltr tubs of lube, then i should be (and am) allowed to. :cool:

kfallon

Should it fook be made illegal :rolleyes:

If people don't have the willpower to bet what they can that's their tough titty!

Do you want Bingo, Lotto, Scratchcards, raffles etc banned too?

amacachi

Fcuk it, let's ban going outside, people get hurt outside. From 1939-1945 over 20 million people died outside in Europe alone.

starbelgrade

KeithM89 wrote: »

People should be allowed to do what they want with their own money.
If i want to blow my cash on granny hookers and 2ltr tubs of lube, then i should be (and am) allowed to. :cool:

You'd get on well with Wayne Rooney.

FreudianSlippers

Did you know that some of the online gambling sites employ up to 600 people in Ireland?

galwayrush

People with a gambling problem will find some way to throw away their money whether it's legal or not.

KeithM89_old

starbelgrade wrote: »

You'd get on well with Wayne Rooney.

Jeez, i do have standards. A gang bang with an 84 year old gilf an wayne rooney is not my idea of fun...

tallaghtmick

markesmith wrote: »

But a family member, and a couple of people I know, have been ruined by "the bookies".QUOTE]

as someone who works for a bookies i can tell you now its the person that ruins themselves,we dont tell them to keep gambling its not us who ring up and go ok a tenner no? try a fiver.The company i work for have a system for gamblers who think they are problematic we close the account end of and security are given details incase someone of the same name or address tries to open up another account.I would like to ask you would you be happy with thousands losing jobs just so a busy body like you can feel happy?

ArtyC

Banning Gambling is only Another way for criminals to make money.......could hear the sigh of relief from parents and gangsters alike when head shops were banned.:eek:

More people died from alcohol poisoning during prohibition than when legal.

RichieC

Ban it and a black market appears that pays no tax and breaks legs, only a fking idiot would propose banning it.

starbelgrade

RichieC wrote: »

Ban it and a black market appears that pays no tax and breaks legs, only a fking idiot would propose banning it.

Enda Kenny will probably propose it so.

admiralofthefleet

no, i like gambling but i know when and when not to. people need to be let make their own minds up.

Guill

Why is Gambling a problem?
It's fine once you control yourself as with alcohol.

manic mailman

They say gambling is one of the recession proof industries.......

Anyway on topic - t'is their choice! One of my mates is addicted to betting on the horse and it all started with a 'flutter'...it can spiral out of control very quickly!

Jesus Wept

Alcohol is a far bigger problem than drugs or gambling in this country.
Banning any of them isn't the way forward, it is retarded.

starbelgrade

manic mailman wrote: »

They say gambling is one of the recession proof industries.......

Tell that to Ivan Yates.

jd007

How dare you say Atari Jaguar is nonsense!:mad:

phantom_lord

It creates employment and enjoyment to huge amounts of people. Not everyone is a degenerate gambler, going around banning anything that can be abused in excessive amounts it not a realistic solution to problems.

thenutflush

I think the key to not getting addicted to gambling is to only bet what you can afford to lose. If you find yourself with 30 quid spending money after all other commitments for the week have been met, including a decent amount of groceries, every so often you could decide to throw a 5 or 10 on, perhaps on a big racing weekend or big premier league match.

Unless you have a proven edge against the bookies at a particular sport(s), have very good bankroll management, staking system, search for the best available price, are able to avoid chasing after losses etc. (basically keep an edge against the bookies in the long term) then you will lose in the long term, and for some this will keep them hooked as they try in vain to recoup what they've lost. Basically, if you're not in the top 2% or whatever of gamblers who win in the long-run, you shouldn't be relying on gambling wins to get you by!

Also, scratchcards are a scam...never do them.