Gambling - is it harmless fun?

@GloomCookieLex (6073)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Gambling is only addictive to some people, it is not inherently addictive. And it's only expensive if you do so irresponsibly. People who go into gambling thinking they will win are likely to waste more money in an attempt to achieve that goal. People who go into it knowing they are probably not going to get anything and they're just having fun will probably not go crazy. Inherently, gambling is no different from any other entertainment hobby. You spend money on movies, shows, games, going to bars or nice restaurants, etc, all with the intent to enjoy yourself and escape your regular routine for a short while. Gambling is no different. Everything in moderation as anything can become an addiction.

2 people like this

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@GloomCookieLex (6073)

• United States

1 Nov 10

People can be irresponsible about any obsession or addiction. There are people who spend all their money and time on online multi-player games, does that mean all video games are harmful and addictive? No. Addiction is the minority of any form of entertainment. There are far more responsible gamblers than there are addicts. You friend who spends all his money on gambling does not represent everyone who has ever put money on the table or in a slot machine.

@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

i am not saying that my friend represents everyone who gambles. Actually, he is just one of the many people i know and came to know about who have spend their earnings on gambling. i am not against gambling, nor to those who gambles. I understand their desires. But if we are to take gambling within the context of a particular country or society, say, Philippines, where even the poorest of the poor places bets on gambling to satisfy their insatiable desire to win, where they lost everything to gambling, can you still say that gambling in its truest form, is harmless fun? As i have said, everything which is taken in excess can become an addiction and too much of everything is harmful to the balance of life. I am not saying that videogames and online games are harmful. But they can become addictive if not controlled and if not regulated, can become harmful, especially to the youth and even adults who should be spending their money on much much more important things. Do you place bets GloomCookieLex? do you gamble? do you have family members and friends who gambles? do you know anyone who have gambled their life's savings on gamblings? do you know anybody who lost their homes and stead to gambling? i do. But i also know a lot of people who are being responsible gamblers, who gambles for fun. But they are outweigh by those who are seriously intent on winning, who bets as if their life depended on it.

@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hello gloomcookieLex! that's very well put and said. you are quite right, everything can become an addiction when taken or done excessively. and i agree with you that gambling is like all other forms of entertainment, and engaging in such should not be a cause for any alarm. however, unlike addiction to movies, bars and even in drinking coffee (i'm a coffee addict), gambling offers something much, much more which really entices would-be betters to gamble away one's money, even if it means losing your food ration for the week. GAMBLING IS SUPPOSE TO BE FOR FUN. The point here is, is gambling a harmless fun? Maybe so, for some individuals who only do it for fun and entertainment. But for the rest of the people who placed bets on these lotteries, i don't think its fun they're after. They're after the prize, the money which provides the greatest lure to people. With this in mind, is gambling then harmless fun? i know someone who haven't buy himself a pair of decent jeans for the last 15 years, just so he could bet. gambling is suppose to be for fun, but is it now? is it a harmless fun?

louie847

@louie847 (350)

• Philippines

31 Oct 10

In some way gambling is beneficial. We have the lottery. it is another way of gambling but it is legal. At some point it is legalized because it is run by the government and they have charities. Funds that are collected from lottery are given to people that needed help especially in medical assistance. And on the other side, people who will win the lottery get beneficial too because of his or her winnings.

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@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hello louie! i am not disregarding the benefits that can be derived from gambling. That is indeed the lure for the would-be betters to bet, the big sum of money that they can get if they're lucky enough. as for the government, well, they have to rationalize why they're legalizing such gambling that's why they put up charities to siphon the earnings of these lotteries. They indeed have helped some people, but other than these legal lotteries, there are so many gamblings which earns lots of money but which enures only to some individuals.

djbtol

@djbtol (5493)

• United States

31 Oct 10

I agree with you that there is more negative associated with gambling than any positive benefit. Sure, it can be fun initially. People say it is harmless fun and then they stop thinking. A certain percentage of people who gamble will end up in trouble. Factors that keep people coming back, even when they should be saving their money, is the fun, thrill, feeling they are close to a win, wanting to prove something, feeling desperate for a financial boost, and finally just an escape from their normal life. Most of us have enough issues in our lives already. Why would we want to invite these kinds of forces in? Yet, people are persuaded all over the country to approve gambling casinos. The selling point is all the jobs that will be created. So many people just accept this at face value, and give no further thought, or standing opposed to the idea of any negative consequences. In the end, only the owner/developer will benefit.

1 person likes this

gambling is bad

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djbtol

@djbtol (5493)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Your are right, not everyone.

@GloomCookieLex (6073)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Plenty of people benefit from casinos. Gambling is not inherently evil or wrong and not everyone who gambles becomes addicted.

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picjim

@picjim (3002)

• India

31 Oct 10

Gambling is fun provided one gambles within his means.By that i mean one can play with a minuscule amount.It won't matter much to the rich.But people of ordinary means and who are poor have been ruined due to excess gambling or gambling beyond their means.It is advisable only if a person has strong control over their senses and finances.

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@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hello picjim! i totally agree with you on this. people should only gamble within their means. it is true that so many people whose career, reputation and family has been wrecked due to addiction to gambling. it is simply impractical if one is to bet his money intended for the family's food, hoping that he will hit the jackpot. His chance would be 1 out of 1,000 and that is simply irrational.

sender621

@sender621 (14894)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Gambling may start out as something fun and enjoyable to us. it can often turn ugly before we know it. Gambling is an addiction. it is often one we can't afford.

1 person likes this

@pkdaftari (68)

• India

31 Oct 10

I strongly agree. If we start gambling, we would not know when we cross our control over our emotions and lose heavily, at times everything we have. In India, It is said, that A loser gambles with double passion and ultimately loses everything. The best example is found in Mahabharat where Pandavs lost everything to their step brothers Kauravs and ultimately they put their common wife Draupading on gamble and they lost her also. So, friends, it is always better to stay away from gambling.

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puccagirl

@puccagirl (7294)

• Israel

31 Oct 10

I actually do not think it is completely harmless, which is why I think it should be legalized, even if that sounds weird. Let me explain: by legalizing gambling, you can regulate it, and this is better for gamblers, since the gambling companies will have rules to follow. But if gambling is illegal, it cannot be regulated, and people will still gamble, just under worse conditions. So I think regulating and legalizing is the way to go, and I don't think gambling is as bad as some make it seem. But it is also not completely safe a lot of the time. That said, I don't really gamble myself, but I understand those who do.

1 person likes this

@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hello puccagirl! i get your point. You are quite right, gambling should be regulated to protect the interest of the many who gambles. This is a case where, the interest of the majority should be taken into account. At least, many would benefit from theer earnings of these lottery, not only a few scrupulous individuals who prey on the desire of others to get rich or get quick money. Anyway, that's how life operates, lol. Yes, the motives and desires of those who gambles are quite understandable, and it would be inhuman for us to condemn them for having such motives and desires. it's just that, they have to control the urge, to bet within their means so as not to make the poorer more poorer.

djbtol

@djbtol (5493)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Many of the responders to this post say that gambling is okay in moderation, or if we exercise self control. I can understand that and for those who have good self-control, they will normally be able to walk away when they should. Suggesting government control over anything makes me uneasy. I am not actually a Libertarian (political party) but I often appreciate their perspectives. My guess is that on the issue of gambling, they would say the government should keep out. Whether gambling is good or bad, they would say it is an individual's business.

1 person likes this

moondancer

@moondancer (7433)

• United States

31 Oct 10

For me and my family it is harmless fun. I remember as children my brother, cousins, and I would play poker and bet pennies we had saved up. It was a lot of fun and we had a chance at getting more pennies but that is not why we did it. It was fun we enjoyed the game and being together in fun. Now we enjoy going to the casino when we an to play the penny. nickle, and quarter slots. For the same reason, it's fun and something to do. We don't use any more money than we would to say go bowling or to a skating rink. We usual have $20 and if we lose that we go home. If we make money and we usually do, we move up to the nickle or quarter slots depending on how much we have. WE USUALLY cOME HOME WITH AT LEAST WHAT WE STARTED OUT WITH. so WE HAD FUN FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND IT DID NOT COST US ANYTHING OR MORE THAN $20. ooops sorry for the caps. It's safe and I being disabled and so is my mom, we get to sit down way more than we walk. I know a person that is addicted to gambling and it even got him kicked out of the military. SO for some people it is not a good thing. But if you do it in fun and enjoy it, you are not hurting anyone...not even yourself.

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moondancer

@moondancer (7433)

• United States

1 Nov 10

As I mentioned we do do it for fun. I even have Hoyle casino on my computer but no money is exchanged. I just play for fun. I do like to play the slots. They give you $5,000 ( I consider it points to play with). I use this when I just want to relax and sit for a bit. If I have something to do I will sit but if I don't I will be up in 2 minutes or less doing something I thought of that needs to be done. I have to take breaks once in awhile so have a game to play will keep me still long enough to take a break. lol

@deriellevc73 (982)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

hello moondancer! as i have said, everything that is taken in excess is bad, and can lead to addiction. Gambling in its truest form can be a harmless fun, but if engaged in excess, betting beyond what one can afford, and even betting one's life savings and properties, is simply an addiction that's worth pondering on. it depends on the person actually, how he deals with gambling. Honestly, gambling can be addictive, if you let yourself be drawn to it irresponsibly. But if you do it for fun and nothing more, then, good. Knowing one's limit and being able to control one's self is just the key i guess. Good for you that you and your family is just doing it for fun.

HADDOWZ

@HADDOWZ (1469)

•

31 Oct 10

Hello, yes gambling can be fun but only if it is done responsibly. Never gamble with anything you cant afford to lose, and never gamble on anything you dont understand fully. It can be far to easy to be lured into the joys of gambling especially if you have one or two wins. Quit while your ahead and start again another day. Dont expect gambling to solve all or even any of your lifes problems, usually concerning money. Just have some fun with it. Remember casinos, bookmakers, etc are a buisness, they are there to make a profit, and not to give away money / prizes to everyone.

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@Andyvil (793)

• Philippines

1 Nov 10

I believe that gambling isn't harmless. Any vice for that matter to me is harmful. It may start as something you do for fun but as time goes by it will become something serious and you'll become addicted to it. That is why I stay away from gambling.

redmaryjane

@redmaryjane (891)

• United States

31 Oct 10

As they say, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Gambling is fun but just because of the chance that you can get something big. The reason why people are addicted to gambling is because maybe, just maybe, they can nab the big prize in the next round. You say that venturing into something that you're not sure of isn't worth it, but risks are very attractive. Some people have to take risks to move on in life, or to survive. Gambling is more notorious in risk taking, especially if taken to an extreme.

jubalstar

@jubalstar (50)

• United States

31 Oct 10

You nailed that comment on the button. I totally agree. We have grown to learn that to make it big financially, we must take risk. Rather it is investments in a business or a chance to hit big in gambling, risk is the key factor.

jubalstar

@jubalstar (50)

• United States

31 Oct 10

Have you ever seen the commercial on tv from the Harrah's Hotel in Las Vegas? He wants you to come gamble at his place, but at the same time he wants you to be responsible. In fact his employees are trained to watch out for people thats over doing it. I believe that the government is getting involved so that people do not lose everything. It can almost be compared to the rules and regulations to keep professional athletes safe on the field. Gambling can be fun(especially when you are winning big) but if you are playing to try and win your money back, then that can become a huge problem. People should set a limit. A bankroll. Money that they know they can lose before gambling. If you don't have the money to lose then dont try it. 9 out of 10 times, you will be worse off then you were before. Dont take a bad situation and make it worse. Cut your losses and try again some other day when you have the extra cash to blow.