Gambling

[UpNorth]

What's your opinion when it comes to gambling?

I've got to admit I gamble sometimes, though I can moderate myself, and I never bet a big amount. Though I won about 500 US Dollars about a month ago.


(I hope I don't get banned now )

[fr0d0]

I personally detest it, because it seems to me to foster aspirations which, unless you are very lucky, will only serve to make you feel disappointed with your life.

[IowaBoy]

I have been doing scratch offs ever since i was 1. And yet I am not addicted...YOU HAVE TO HAVE SELF CONTROL!!

[dry land fish]

I'm all for gambling. I personally don't get into it but I think it should be legal all over America. If someone can't control themselves and gambles away their house, boat, cars, wife, and kids then oh well. We can't make something illegal and spoil the fun for most people just because a handfull of idiots might go broke. I'm too stingy to ever gamble. My husband used to throw change out of his car window because he said change smelled bad and it was dirty! I don't know where that came from because a dollar bill has been stuffed in some strippers g string, used to snort coke, and had butt sweat from nasty fat hairy men all over it for who knows how long. I used to flip out when he'd throw change out. So...I'd probably not gamble any more than those nickel slots at the casinos.

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I personally detest it, because it seems to me to foster aspirations which, unless you are very lucky, will only serve to make you feel disappointed with your life.

You don't like it because you think it's a "sin" and some pastor of your church has brainwashed you into hating the mere thought of gambling.

[Tiberius]

You haven't been here that long dry land fish, but fr0d0 isn't one of "those" Christians. He doesn't have a church, let alone a pastor, and unless I'm very mistaken, he doesn't think it is a sin.

In fact, why you made such remarks is rather puzzling since he outlined his reason for disliking gambling (it fosters aspirations that ultimately lead to disappointment) in his post..

[dry land fish]

You haven't been here that long dry land fish, but fr0d0 isn't one of "those" Christians. He doesn't have a church, let alone a pastor, and unless I'm very mistaken, he doesn't think it is a sin.

In fact, why you made such remarks is rather puzzling since he outlined his reason for disliking gambling (it fosters aspirations that ultimately lead to disappointment) in his post..

I guess I made the remark because all of the anti gambling christians are "those christians" in my part of the world. I live around those extreme christians. Mix the movie Carrie with Deliverance and you have them. Inbred crazy stupid people who think the Earth is flat, science is the Devil, and Jesus is coming back tomorrow. Every year that we have an election it's on the ballot and every time those damn super Christians vote against it.

[Godlesspanther]

Pat Robertson is one who has spoken out against gambling as a "sin" but it turned out that he owned a Kentucky Derby race horse. This was something I read a long time ago. I have no idea if he still does this. (Pat and I are not that close.)

I have been to Las Vegas several times. Every time I set aside some money to throw away. Last time I came back $40 ahead. But usually I lost my money but I set it aside so that if I lost it I would not be upset. I sampled different games when I was there but I never have done any 'serious' gambling. I have never won a significant amount of money.

Those who have a problem with gambling have usually -- I would venture all but always -- won a good chunk of cash in order to get them started on an addictive roll.

I have known people who have had a serious problem. One young fellow lived with his grandmother rent free when he was in his 20s - early 30s. He had no expenses and a decent-paying job. He would get paid every two weeks and cash his check and then proceed to blow it all -- literally all of it in the poker machines in one evening. Then he would be penniless until his next check and he would do the same thing over and over.

There is no such thing as "sin" but gambling does destroy peoples lives. Or should I say that people destroy their own lives by choosing excessive and uncontrolled gambling? It's hard to say but I do see those in the gambling industry as opportunistic and greedy.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

I do not gamble, period,not even a raffle ticket.


I played a LOT of cards in the army ,mainly poker, in which I think there's a lot of skill. I never played for high stakes, and pretty much came out slightly down over a couple of years.

I lost any belief I had in 'luck' when I studied statistics.

My position today; gambling can be thrilling but as a past time with any hope of winning in the long term,it's a mug's game.Unless of course you are the house,in which case it's an entirely different kettle of fish.

Two words to prove my point: LAS VEGAS

I don't think gambling is immoral or stupid in principle, but it's often both. However, I have a problem with casinos.There is at least one casino in every Australian city.I think they're parasitic.I also loathe poker machines which are allowed in pubs here.Not just the odd one or two,as in as in England, but special "gaming rooms",with DOZENS of machines.I consider poker machines social evil.

Below are some shots the local Adelaide Casino. It's built in part of the old main railway station,in the heart of the CBD.

[Violet]

Bling is such a waste... That same gold and silver has immense practical uses, and needs not be wasted on just looking 'nice'. Gambling i feel exactly the same about: it is a waste. The money you spend on trying to get rich is the same money you could be spending on improving your quality of life.

All of the work done to earn the money is wasted if you don't get extremely lucky. For that same money you could pay your bills and live comfortably. Gambling grabs you by letting you win a few times in a row, then it gives you baited wins that keep you hooked in a sea of losses.

[Overmars]

The only form of gambling I do is football betting and I rarely bet more than 10 euro. I've been doing this for almost 4 years and I think my winnings exceed my losses. But if other people enjoy gambling their money let them do it, it's their money.