Society and Gambling
When it comes to the economic, philosophical, psycological and societal affects within a society, gambling has always been a double edged sword. Across most of modern day Society, whether it be the weekly lotto, the local gambling casino or bingo hall, or the more recent and controversial online Internet gambling casino website, gambling is perceived as some what of an awkward issue.
Gambling Popularity
Because there is strong indication of the ever increasing popularity of gambling in all its forms, many members within a typical Gambling Society come to believe in and possess a sometimes intense, irresistible urge to gamble. On the other hand, there is evidence that the many faces of gambling are in direct opposition to the requirements and frame of mind of an industrialized society. Thorstein Veblen's "The Theory of Leisure Class", implies and defends that gambling encourages a belief in and dependence on 'luck' for financial reward, at the expense of dedication, rational thinking and hard work. Veblen goes so far as to theorize that gambling results in some members within a society developing a faith in the saying "getting something for nothing", and that this directly and indirectly undermines their ability to strive for personal reward and success.
Gambling and the Church
The Church has at times through out history been out spoken against gambling, primarily those of Protestant faith. They argue that gambling of all kinds breeds a desire for material reward and personal gain at the expense of nothers. Church officials claim that gambling is an expression of human weakness to be avoided at all cost, and that it is simply a manifestation of peoples misguided thoughts that God will not or cannot provide for their basic needs, let alone fulfill their wanton desires.
According to Church officials, it would seem that over the past few generations, the American Dream has been transformed. Transformed in part due to the proliferation of legalized and government santioned gambling. Transformed from the belief and faith that if you worked hard, you knew you could succeed, to an 'if you get lucky, you can sue someone or perhaps, even win the lottery', style attitude.
In other words they claim that we have gone from a society seeking to profit from the fruits of our labor to one that seeks to get rich quickly and without effort. It's true they claim, that many members within society want and expect something for nothing. And what's more, it's becoming easier and easier to be drawn into this type of mentality. You no longer need to go to the racetrack or travel to Las Vegas or Altantic City to satisfy your desire to gamble and invest in Lady Luck.
You can now buy your gambling and lotto tickets with your grocery order, or drive down to your local casino gambling establishment... where your State government sponsors gambling for profit and loss. Hell, now a days you don't even need to leave the comfort of your own home if you have an Internet connection and a computer. You can log on to any one of thousands of Online Internet Gambling Casino Websites 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and try your luck at your favorite gambling game of choice.
Many officials within the Church believe that Casino Gambling and the State Lotteries have become an increasingly serious issue for America, and they believe it is important that the populous be informed on this matter. The problem is that for the vast majority of individuals that Gamble in their local Casino, buy Lottery Tickets on pay day, or Gamble Online in their favorite Online Internet Casino, the practice of gambling is not a compulsion, habit, obsession or problem... it is simply a form of entertainment that costs them a few bucks a month. Inexpensive entertainment that at the same time gives them a chance at striking it rich, albeit a small chance, and living their dream.
Gambling Addiction and the Problem Gambler
Many a government has demonstrated a concern for the Addictive Tendencies of Gambling. As early as 1951, the British Royal Commission classified those types of Commercialized Gambling believed to be in need of state control or restriction. They reported that the Gambling Games which encouraged competition and avid participation, used Credit Betting as opposed to Cash Betting, and included other forms of entertainment and diversion were the types of gambling games that where dangerous to those with a predisposition towards problem gambling.
The commission has been quoted as stating that "the temptation to bet excessive amounts of money (money that the bettor may not even have, or at the very least... cannot afford) was induced by the odds of winning and by the pace that bets were made for a particular gambling game". specifically, when the odds were low, the temptation to bet was minimized, and alternatively, when the odds were high, the temptation to gamble or bet was at its highest.
It was believed by the commission that after a gambler incurs substantial losses, they are tempted even more to increase their wagers in an effort to regain their losses, which could lead to even greater losses. In the end, the commission concluded that Habitual, Problematic and Addictive Gambling was induced by those types of gambling and betting games that had quick turnovers and low chances of winning.
Gambling and the Government
Throughout the History of Gambling, the actions of state and federal governments has often been to vanquish, control or prohibit Gambling Establishments and Gambling Games entirely. It is through the implementation of severely restrictive laws and legislation that governments have tried to run Gambling Casinos out of business. There are exceptions to this type of Gambling Censorship.
In the United States for example, Horse Race Betting has been legal in most states since the 1930's. Although originally illegal to make bets outside of the race tracks (so the governements could tax the tracks revenue), off-track betting has grown in popularity. Consequently, off-track betting has become legal in most states. The state of Nevada has always encouraged gambling, thus the incredible success of Las Vegas. Atlantic City also thought that casino gambling was a good thing, and legalized it in 1978. During this time, State Lotteries had already begun to flourish, and had spread to fourteen states by the early 1980's.
In spite of the fact that gambling has been declared explicitly legal outside of designated areas like Las Vegas and Atlantic City, people are undeterred and gamble regardless. Underground gambling rings thrive, while the authorities do little to deter them. Antigambling Laws appear to be of little importance in comparison to other laws. Police officials are usually not moved to enforce such laws unless urged to do so by the general public. As as been the case in the past, there is a great deal of pressure imposed on public officials in the form of bribes and intimidation, thus giving a criminal nature to some gambling activities.
In the end, gambling legislation is dependent on whether citizens should be more concerned about the effects of legalized gambling on society, or the conflict and tension within the law enforcement agencies when introducing and enforcing antigambling statutes.
Legalized Gambling
Proponents of legalized gambling believe it would put gambling under greater control by the government, and under more just public scrutinyand inspection. They make the claim that if gambling was tolerated and put under tighter government controls, corruption within the system and pressure on 'authority to enforce' the associated laws and legislation would decrease, and criminal activities that occur as a direct and indirect result of gambling... would cease.
Such legislation to legalize gambling calls for total and complete nationalization (socialization) of gambling within our society. If this were to happen, it would mean that state governments would be in full, unchallenged charge of operating gambling casinos, race tracks and sports betting pools, in the same way as they are with the state lottery system today.
Non-supporters of this style Legalization of Gambling Legislation, are quick to point out that the 'nationalizing', or socialization, of gambling would not be enough in itself to bring an end to gambling related crime and corruption. Even within the state of Nevada itself, where the government has always supported the legalization and control of gambling as an industry, has had a difficult time in controlling and monitoring gambling casinos as well as the collection of taxes.
Yet, another argument against state run gambling is that the costs to operate, license and supervise gambling casino's would be too great, and would be unfair to the non-gambling taxpayer. Although many do believe that the revenue and taxes generated by the state run gambling board would far out weigh any extra burden that may be imposed on the tax system as a whole.
Gambling and Society
Yes, when it comes to the economic, philosophical, psycological and societal affects within society, gambling has always been a double edged sword. On one hand, each and every member of a society should have the right to risk, so long as it doesn't affect others... and that's the catch.
For those that haven't the ability to exercise control over the potential risks and hazards of gambling, whether legal or illegal, others can be affected in many ways. Thus the debate goes on!
Online Gambling Help
Online Gambling Help is a member of the Online Gambling Help group of Online Gambling Informational Websites.
At Online Gambling Help you can learn the History of Online Gambling, the Rules of the most popular Gambling Games ever played, Online Gambling Strategies to Play and Win by, Online Gambling Tips, Online Gambling Game FAQ's and a whole lot more...
Online Gambling Information
Solely dedicated to the Online Internet Gambler, Online Gambling Help.info provides the Online Internet Gambler with real Gambling Information they can count on and use. Whether you prefer to gamble in the traditional land based Gambling Casino Parlour, or you prefer to Gamble Online in an Internet Casino, Online Gambling Help is dedicated to Online Internet Gamblers just like you!
Online Gambling Help
Gamble Online in an Internet Casino
Then when you're ready to Gamble Online in an Internet Casino, Online Gambling Help takes you to the Gambling Board Directory list of recommended Online Internet Casino Sites so you can select the Gambling Game and Internet Casino of your choice... and maybe even win some money!
Online Gambling Help has something for everyone that enjoys the Gambling Experience!
Contact Online Gambling Help
As an Internet Gambler, feel free to let us know what you think of the Online Gambling Help suite of Internet Gambling Informational Websites. Contact Online Gambling Help Directly if you have comments or suggestions, or if you think we've left something out that would be of interest to the average Online Gambler.
For more Online Gambling Help and Information on your Internet Gambling Game of Choice, visit one of our sister online gambling help sites...