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. ramesh31 · 1789590803 · focus · HN ↗

      An advertising ban would solve 80% of the problem. This stuff has always been around for those who want it, and (arguably) in a free society should be. But shoving it down people's throats in every channel imaginable has to end.

      1. paconbork · 1789592110 · focus · HN ↗

         It's still shocking to me that there are so many California Lottery advertisements (I'm sure other states have these too). They're spending taxpayer money to make poor people poorer...

         1. bguebert · 1789745290 · focus · HN ↗

            Illinois has a bunch of these too. They would always sell expanding what gambling is allowed by saying that the proceeds were going to go to pay for public schools, but its hard to say if that is true or not. Even if the gambling money goes to schools seems like it just frees up other tax money for whatever else. Now here its like a town of 4000 will have over a dozen places offering electronic slot machines. It's like every gas station and bar has them now. And then you can also have stuff like draft kings and fan duel on your phone. It seems like it would be inescapable once you fell into the habit of gambling.

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