5 ms·

Humans have weaknesses that can be abused. This is clearly the case in gambling. The government must protect in some areas. For example with financial advice, t

Humans have weaknesses that can be abused. This is clearly the case in gambling. The government must protect in some areas. For example with financial advice, there are countless cases of people giving inappropriate financial advice to the elderly, even getting them to sign away their property while dying in hospitals. Sure it easy to say 'and gasp let people do what they want with their property'. But what about this scenario? Would you be OK if that was your relatives being manipulated on their deathbed to give money to a previous stranger cause it is what they want to do with their property at that moment in their life. Or, back to gambling, is it fair on the children of the father/mother who gamble away their pay check each month leaving the family destitute? Above is more extreme but real examples to clarify a point. In my mind saying people can do what they want with their property is overly simplistic and assumes a more perfect world than the reality.

bmmayer1 12y ago
The government is in a much better position to protect people from fraud if it isn't the one perpetrating the fraud in the first place.
SilasX 12y ago
>Or, back to gambling, is it fair on the children of the father/mother who gamble away their pay check each month leaving the family destitute? However bad it might be to prey on people by trying to trick them into gambling, it's a trillion times better than just taking their money (the other way of raising revenues).
- umanwizard 12y ago
  why?
  - SilasX 12y ago
    Because in one case you can opt out.
    - ceejayoz 12y ago
      Gambling addicts can't opt-out very easily, and it causes them to pay tax rates frequently higher than 100% of their incomes.
      - SilasX 12y ago
        It's easier for addicts to opt out of gambling than me to opt out of taxation, and you can be treated for addiction but not taxation.
        Domenic_S 12y ago
        Don't know why you're being downvoted, you're right.

bmmayer1 12y ago

The government is in a much better position to protect people from fraud if it isn't the one perpetrating the fraud in the first place.

SilasX 12y ago

>Or, back to gambling, is it fair on the children of the father/mother who gamble away their pay check each month leaving the family destitute? However bad it might be to prey on people by trying to trick them into gambling, it's a trillion times better than just taking their money (the other way of raising revenues).

umanwizard 12y ago
why?
- SilasX 12y ago
  Because in one case you can opt out.
  - ceejayoz 12y ago
    Gambling addicts can't opt-out very easily, and it causes them to pay tax rates frequently higher than 100% of their incomes.
    - SilasX 12y ago
      It's easier for addicts to opt out of gambling than me to opt out of taxation, and you can be treated for addiction but not taxation.
      - Domenic_S 12y ago
        Don't know why you're being downvoted, you're right.