Without getting into the rest of this- gambling is fairly normal all over the world, in most cultures, and in most other developed countries (Britain especially

Without getting into the rest of this- gambling is fairly normal all over the world, in most cultures, and in most other developed countries (Britain especially). The US, in spite of its libertarian reputation, is still weirdly Puritanical about some things (frankly I'd add prostitution in the mix there as well- regulated in some parts of Europe, basically tolerated in others). Traditionally America had the 'you can only gamble in Vegas' model for decades, then it was forced by court decisions to extend that right to native casinos, then more recently it was forced by the Supreme Court to open it up to states who want it. It really has little to do with lobbying politicians, the US has been forced to relax gambling laws mostly by the courts