4 ms·

The proliferation of online gambling is IMO one of the bigger under-reported trends in modern society, and has a real potential for massive externalities throug

The proliferation of online gambling is IMO one of the bigger under-reported trends in modern society, and has a real potential for massive externalities throughout society.

ekjhgkejhgk 8mo ago
Agree on under-reported. But what externalities?
- skrebbel 8mo ago
  More gambling addicts in gutters.
- valleyer 8mo ago
  Addiction. Misappropriation of others' secrets. Perverse incentives.
  - nannal 8mo ago
    As a German train driver this excites me greatly.
- whazor 8mo ago
  There are (illegal) ways to delay trains as a person
  - moooo99 8mo ago
    Should be noted that this is just a meme, nothing with real money. Its a joke based on the constant delay of DB trains
- eigenspace 8mo ago
  Having a gambling addict in your life can be just as destructive if not more destructive as having a drug addict in your life. This is something that most people don't currently understand because most people don't really have much experience with gambling addicts and the sort of horrible things they will do to satisfy their cravings, but as the amount of gamblers in society grows explosively, we're all going to be feeling the effects of being surrounded by these people.
renegade-otter 8mo ago
That is most definitely NOT under-reported. I read about this as a giant red flag every week. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/01/america-polymarket-disaster/685662/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/01/america-polym...
- eigenspace 8mo ago
  Just because it is reported does not mean it's not under-reported. Though, I probably shouldn't have even talked about the reporting, and instead just said "this is something we're under-worried about as a society".
- deleted 8mo ago
  [deleted]
adammarples 8mo ago
Constantly reported on in the FT
arvid-lind 8mo ago
it was always going to happen. there was even an episode of The Office where they started betting on meaningless outcomes for a little sense of purpose.
- trueismywork 8mo ago
  Betting on local circle is okay since balance of power is generally okay
raincole 8mo ago
It's all sliding slope when the only way an average citizen can reap the economic growth of their own country is stock market and saving only makes them poorer.
- bulbar 8mo ago
  Contrary to what crypto currency enthusiasts believe, having inflation (most of the time) is the only feasible and sane way for an economy. Why ever do anything at all with your money, ever, otherwise? Except for basic needs.
  - gzread 8mo ago
    Yes, but simple inflation isn't the problem. In a stable economy, we spend money as we received it, and take on loans for large purchases. In fact the economy was that way before. Now, things are too unsteady for that.
    - mschuster91 8mo ago
      > In a stable economy, we spend money as we received it, and take on loans for large purchases. In fact the economy was that way before. You used to be able to save for most large purchases without going into debt. Even cars. But no, these days cars tend to be so goddamn expensive while at the same time being so low-margin products for the dealerships that even if you theoretically can pay in cash, the salespeople do their best to force you into some sort of debt because the kickback from that is the only way they make money. And practically, rents suck up so much of your income you can't save anyway.
  - allreduce 8mo ago
    Yeah, you would have to focus on buying things you actually need. Be able to save for and look forward towards a stable future. Don't get a new pocket computer every year because the software is not updated anymore. Use fewer subscription services? Maybe do away with the disposable vapes with lithium ion batteries in them.
  - 8mo ago
Vinnl 8mo ago
At least one regulator has been taking note at least: https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/20/dutch-regulators-block-access-us-betting-site-illegal-gambling https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/20/dutch-regulators-block-access-...
deleted 8mo ago
[deleted]
i-blis 8mo ago
This is NOT a genuine gambling site but a take on DB to remind them of the issue and take it seriously.
- eigenspace 8mo ago
  I'm aware, but the existence of this site both reminded me of the existence of this problem, and IMO likely will inspire polymarket or some other crypto gambling site to offer the 'real' version of this.

The proliferation of online gambling is IMO one of the bigger under-reported trends in modern society, and has a real potential for massive externalities throughout society.

ekjhgkejhgk 8mo ago

Agree on under-reported. But what externalities?

skrebbel 8mo ago
More gambling addicts in gutters.
valleyer 8mo ago
Addiction. Misappropriation of others' secrets. Perverse incentives.
- nannal 8mo ago
  As a German train driver this excites me greatly.
whazor 8mo ago
There are (illegal) ways to delay trains as a person
- moooo99 8mo ago
  Should be noted that this is just a meme, nothing with real money. Its a joke based on the constant delay of DB trains
eigenspace 8mo ago
Having a gambling addict in your life can be just as destructive if not more destructive as having a drug addict in your life. This is something that most people don't currently understand because most people don't really have much experience with gambling addicts and the sort of horrible things they will do to satisfy their cravings, but as the amount of gamblers in society grows explosively, we're all going to be feeling the effects of being surrounded by these people.

renegade-otter 8mo ago

That is most definitely NOT under-reported. I read about this as a giant red flag every week. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/01/america-polymarket-disaster/685662/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/01/america-polym...

eigenspace 8mo ago
Just because it is reported does not mean it's not under-reported. Though, I probably shouldn't have even talked about the reporting, and instead just said "this is something we're under-worried about as a society".
deleted 8mo ago
[deleted]

adammarples 8mo ago

Constantly reported on in the FT

arvid-lind 8mo ago

it was always going to happen. there was even an episode of The Office where they started betting on meaningless outcomes for a little sense of purpose.

trueismywork 8mo ago
Betting on local circle is okay since balance of power is generally okay

raincole 8mo ago

It's all sliding slope when the only way an average citizen can reap the economic growth of their own country is stock market and saving only makes them poorer.

bulbar 8mo ago
Contrary to what crypto currency enthusiasts believe, having inflation (most of the time) is the only feasible and sane way for an economy. Why ever do anything at all with your money, ever, otherwise? Except for basic needs.
- gzread 8mo ago
  Yes, but simple inflation isn't the problem. In a stable economy, we spend money as we received it, and take on loans for large purchases. In fact the economy was that way before. Now, things are too unsteady for that.
  - mschuster91 8mo ago
    > In a stable economy, we spend money as we received it, and take on loans for large purchases. In fact the economy was that way before. You used to be able to save for most large purchases without going into debt. Even cars. But no, these days cars tend to be so goddamn expensive while at the same time being so low-margin products for the dealerships that even if you theoretically can pay in cash, the salespeople do their best to force you into some sort of debt because the kickback from that is the only way they make money. And practically, rents suck up so much of your income you can't save anyway.
- allreduce 8mo ago
  Yeah, you would have to focus on buying things you actually need. Be able to save for and look forward towards a stable future. Don't get a new pocket computer every year because the software is not updated anymore. Use fewer subscription services? Maybe do away with the disposable vapes with lithium ion batteries in them.
- 8mo ago

Vinnl 8mo ago

At least one regulator has been taking note at least: https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/20/dutch-regulators-block-access-us-betting-site-illegal-gambling https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/20/dutch-regulators-block-access-...

deleted 8mo ago

[deleted]

i-blis 8mo ago

This is NOT a genuine gambling site but a take on DB to remind them of the issue and take it seriously.

eigenspace 8mo ago
I'm aware, but the existence of this site both reminded me of the existence of this problem, and IMO likely will inspire polymarket or some other crypto gambling site to offer the 'real' version of this.