5 ms·

Logan I don't have names for you but this story is spot on, I hope the Trib and local news stations pick it up. Video gambling is totally amok in many parts of

Logan I don't have names for you but this story is spot on, I hope the Trib and local news stations pick it up. Video gambling is totally amok in many parts of Chicago and its environs. For people who haven't seen it in person: even regular Mom & Pop restaurants have video slots. Donut shops. Italian sandwiches. Bars. Imagine if Subway devoted a quarter of its restaurants to video slots. It's crazy. And watching the people who play these games it's obvious it's not rich people, it's most often (IMO) fixed-income retirees. People who can least afford it. I'm for legalized gambling but what's going on in Illinois right now is totally bonkers. Legalizing video slots and putting them everywhere is the second dumbest idea in Illinois since Mayor Daley sold off some of the highways.

tomcam 8y ago
> I'm for legalized gambling How do you prevent people who can't afford it from gambling when it's legal?
- sgjohnson 8y ago
  I’m for legalised gambling too. You simply don’t. Not your problem. If an adult decides to gamble, it’s his decision and none of your business.
  - fipple 8y ago
    When he loses all his money and then needs welfare or starts mugging people it becomes my business.
    - sgjohnson 8y ago
      And the solution is stand your ground law.
      - fipple 8y ago
        If I have to get into a gunfight on the street because banning gambling machines would be against “freedom” well I guess I’m not that into freedom.
        sgjohnson 8y ago
        It’s about deterrance. Hardly anyone is going to attempt anything funny if you might be packing.
- bdhess 8y ago
  By taxing it and providing resources like counseling for people with addictive behaviors.
- Buge 8y ago
  If you limit the number of places that can have the machines then it's less likely people will stumble upon them during day to day activity. People would have to deliberately drive to a casino to get them. Taxing higher also helps to reduce the number of places.
- GhostVII 8y ago
  You can have more restrictions around gambling to make it less addictive. Things like only allowing gambling in a small number of places, and limiting the size of the payouts, would help I would imagine, while still making illegal gambling less appealing.

tomcam 8y ago

> I'm for legalized gambling How do you prevent people who can't afford it from gambling when it's legal?

sgjohnson 8y ago
I’m for legalised gambling too. You simply don’t. Not your problem. If an adult decides to gamble, it’s his decision and none of your business.
- fipple 8y ago
  When he loses all his money and then needs welfare or starts mugging people it becomes my business.
  - sgjohnson 8y ago
    And the solution is stand your ground law.
    - fipple 8y ago
      If I have to get into a gunfight on the street because banning gambling machines would be against “freedom” well I guess I’m not that into freedom.
      - sgjohnson 8y ago
        It’s about deterrance. Hardly anyone is going to attempt anything funny if you might be packing.
bdhess 8y ago
By taxing it and providing resources like counseling for people with addictive behaviors.
Buge 8y ago
If you limit the number of places that can have the machines then it's less likely people will stumble upon them during day to day activity. People would have to deliberately drive to a casino to get them. Taxing higher also helps to reduce the number of places.
GhostVII 8y ago
You can have more restrictions around gambling to make it less addictive. Things like only allowing gambling in a small number of places, and limiting the size of the payouts, would help I would imagine, while still making illegal gambling less appealing.