Thread

1. whatever1 · 1789584798 · focus · HN ↗

   All gambling should be state owned. It is a strict societal loss anyway, we can at least soften the overall blow.

   Losses can be redistributed and cover for the externalities of gambling. And we will be able to control the knob on how addictive we make them.

   For profit companies have the target to maximize their profit, so of course they will ramp up any method that can bring in more revenue.

   1. pfisch · 1789587508 · focus · HN ↗

      It should either be illegal or not. This idea that the state has a monopoly on getting money from doing a thing that you are saying is bad doesn't make sense.

      If it is bad and yet the government is allowed to use it to make money then is the government evil? Why does the government get to do it if we can't? It just makes the whole thing seem ridiculous and makes underground betting seem like I guess it isn't really that bad since the government is allowed to do it. The operators are just people fighting for their freedom to operate the same business the government operates.

      1. Zigurd · 1789587943 · focus · HN ↗

         Harm reduction. In the US, state lotteries have reduced illegal gambling. Illegal gambling would increase under a total ban.

         Some markets fail. If the government can step in and provide a service that doesn't end in a failed market, that's not an imposition on anyone's freedom.

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