Gambling Debate Topics 9,8/10 6993 votes

The Presidential debates will continue to gain momentum in the coming weeks as we near the 2020 Presidential election on November 3. Debates are not only interesting and help the public learn more about the candidates, but they can also provide lucrative betting lines and odds.

Debates can also directly affect the public’s perception of a candidate as they interact with other contenders on live TV and streaming sites, either boosting them to stardom or making them hit rock bottom.

UPDATE, 9/28/2020:This first 2020 Presidential debate between Joe Biden and incumbent Donald Trump is just a day away, and barring any unforeseen developments, the event will be held as scheduled in Cleveland, OH, on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. The in-person event starts at 9:00 PM EST and will be moderated by Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace. There will be no live audience, and the event will be broadcast on all major television networks and cable news channels. If you want to get your Trump vs. Biden odds in for the first debate, now's your last chance!

Where Can I Bet on Presidential Debates?

Yes Regulation of gambling is essential and a gambling identity card could play a strong role in that. There is a lot of hypocrisy surrounding the way gambling dens are allowed to operate, where bookies are located and where slot machines are placed. Gambling is the betting of money on an outcome that is wholly or largely random. It includes things like bingo, roulette, raffles, lotteries, scratch-cards and slot machines. Some definitions of gambling would not include activities like betting on horse racing – as this arguably involves a large element of knowledge and skill to predict what is likely to happen. Card games are a grey area. Rivers Casino Chicago Wiki Legalized Gambling has many gambling debate essay positive aspects, and it should be noted poker teresina wikipedia that though a large number of citizens are considered “problem gamblers,” the majority of the population gambles causally and in moderation.1658 Words 7 Pages Prostitution is an issue that has been debated in many countries. Gambling The negative effects of gambling have been researched, touted, published and spewed forth from the mouths of researchers and do-gooders for decades, yet there has been an astonishing lack of research accomplished on the positive aspects of gambling influences on modern society (or even past societies for that matter).

Ironically, though most bettors search specifically for Vegas odds on politicians and elections, the Nevada Gaming Control Board doesn't actually allow political or entertainment betting. In fact, no domestic US sportsbook in any state currently has election odds of any kind. Thus, you can only bet on Presidential debates at reputable international sportsbooks. Each election cycle, these books offer odds and betting lines on Presidential debates as well as all other aspects of major state and federal elections.

The trusted and secure offshore sportsbooks we recommend on this page all provide competitive odds and payouts for betting on Presidential debates, and they offer political prop bets, too. These can get very interesting as the debates heat up and politicians begin attacking their rivals on specific issues and scandals.

Best Sportsbooks for Betting on Presidential Debates in 2020

SiteBonusRating/5USAVisit
150% Max $2504.5
250% Max $1,0004.4
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375% Max $1,0004.1

Presidential Debate Odds

Sportsbooks will offer odds for Presidential debates anywhere from days to hours before they are scheduled to occur. Odds for Presidential debates usually include a variety of betting lines and prop bets covering topics such as:

  • What running policies will be discussed
  • Whether or not hot topics like immigration, gun control, and climate change are discussed
  • Who will speak the most during the debates
  • Whether a candidate’s name will be mispronounced
  • What colors of clothing specific candidates will wear
  • What general terms will be said
  • How many times a given phrase will be said
  • + More

These lines are usually structured as pop bets and are simple to place without extensive knowledge of intricate odds calculations. Usually, there will be more varied wagers offered for Presidential primary debates among individual parties, as there were with Democratic candidates on the stage in 2020.

That said, the Trump vs. Biden debates should have the most interesting debate props ever, and the first batch to hit the betting boards are definitely up to the lofty standard we expect.

Trump vs. Biden Debate Odds

The Presidential debates are scheduled to occur in the coming weeks, with the first one slated for September 29. As such, betting lines will appear at top-rated political sportsbooks once all participating parties agree to the format. Lines for the first Trump-Biden debate are already up at at least one major Vegas political betting site, and the others should follow suit in short order.

Still, there's always the chance that Biden won't debate Trump as scheduled, and there are betting lines on that outcome, too. We've posted odds for the first presidential debate in 2020 between Trump and Biden now that they have been made available (via MyBookie Sportsbook).

Prop Bets For The 1st Biden Vs. Trump Debate

At MyBookie, there is currently a wide selection of betting odds posted for the first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The event is being held on Tuesday, September 29, at 9:00 PM EST, and you'll be able to watch the entire show on all the major networks and cable news channels. However, if you want to bet on the Trump vs. Biden debate, you'll need to get your wagers in ASAP, because betting at MyBookie closes Monday, September 28, at 5:00 PM EST.

What Type Of Pattern Will Donald Trump's Tie Be?

  • Solid +120
  • Striped +160
  • Dotted +800
  • Other Geometric Pattern / Novelty +850
  • Tartan, Checkered Or Plaid +1000
  • Paisley Or Floral +1600

What Type Of Pattern Will Joe Biden's Tie Be?

  • Striped +225
  • Solid +275
  • Dotted +325
  • Other Geometric Pattern / Novelty +400
  • Tartan, Checkered Or Plaid +750
  • Paisley Or Floral +1200

What Color Will Donald Trump’s Tie Be?

  • Red (Includes: Maroon & Burgundy) +115
  • Light Blue +325
  • Blue Or Navy Blue +375
  • Other +700
  • Yellow Or Gold +750

What Color Will Joe Biden’s Tie Be?

  • Blue Or Navy Blue +200
  • Light Blue +250
  • Red (Includes: Maroon & Burgundy) +250
  • Other +600
  • Purple +800
Gambling debate topics 2020Debate

What Will Biden Say First?

  • Come On Man +150
  • Scranton +175
  • Malarkey +240
  • Inshallah +2000

What Will Trump Say First?

  • Sleepy Joe -230
  • Phoney Kamala +170

What Will Trump Say First?

  • Fake News -135
  • China Virus +105

What Will Be Said First By Trump Or Biden?

  • Affordable Care Act -130
  • Pre-Existing EVEN

Which Event Will Have A Higher Nielsen Rating?

  • First Presidential Debate (Sept. 28, 2020) -240
  • Second Presidential Debate (Oct. 22, 2020) +175

Which State Will Be Mentioned First?

  • Arizona +500
  • Florida +500
  • Georgia +500
  • Pennsylvania +500
  • North Carolina +550
  • Michigan +600
  • Minnesota +600
  • Wisconsin +600

Which Topic Will Be Debated First?

  • Fighting COVID-19 +175
  • National Security +315
  • American Families +400
  • Race In America +550
  • Climate Change +700
  • Leadership +725

Who Will Take The First Sip Of Water?

  • Joe Biden -165
  • Donald Trump +125

Who Will Win The Presidential Debate Drinking Game?

  • Donald Trump -125
  • Joe Biden -105

Whose Microphone Will Be Muted First?

  • Donald Trump -250
  • Joe Biden +185

Will Donald Trump Mention 'Joe Rogan'?

  • Yes +550
  • No -1000

Will Hong Kong Be Mentioned During The Debate?

  • Yes -165
  • No +125
Gambling

Will The First Lady And Donald Trump Share An Embrace After The Debate?

  • Yes +175
  • No -240

Will Trump Or Biden Curse On-Air?

  • Yes +1000
  • No -4000

Will Either Candidate Mention 'Twitter' During The Debate?

  • Yes +140
  • No -185

Will The Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Be Mentioned During The Debate?

  • Yes +115
  • No -150

Second Presidential Debate Total Viewers

  • Over 72½ Million -120
  • Under 72½ Million -120

What will be said first by candidates

  • Antifa -200
  • QAnon +150

What will Donald Trump say first

  • Fake news +150
  • Socialist +175
  • Crooked Hillary +500
  • Hoax +500
  • Lost the left +500
  • Rigged +600

What will Joe Biden say first?

  • Come on man +150
  • Unpresidential +225
  • Clown +400
  • Scranton +400
  • Shush +600
  • Shut up +600

Who's head will fly land on first?

  • Donald Trump -300
  • Joe Biden +200

Will Biden be shown wearing mask during broadcast

  • Yes -300
  • No +200

Will Trump be asked about 'white supremacists'

  • Yes -150
  • No +110

Will Trump be shown wearing mask during broadcast

  • No -300
  • Yes +200

Will Trump denounce white supremacists

  • Yes -150
  • No +110

Will Trump say Black Lives Matter?

  • No -700
  • Yes +400

The following debate props are live at MyBookie for the first 2020 Presidential debate to be held this cycle (September 29, 9:00 PM EST). Vegas debate betting lines that have shifted over the past two weeks are displayed with their original odds in parentheses.

Will Joe Biden agree to 4th debate moderated by Joe Rogan?

  • No -2100
  • Yes +700

Will Joe Biden publicly respond to Joe Rogan's debate offer?

  • No -140
  • Yes +100

Will Donald Trump say “QAnon”?

  • No -500 (-400)
  • Yes +300 (+250)

Will Donald Trump say “Sleepy Joe”?

  • No -140 (-400)
  • Yes +100 (+250)

Will Donald Trump mention Joe Biden's basement?

  • Yes -160
  • No +120

How many times will Donald Trump say “China”?

  • Over 6.5 -500 (-120)
  • Under 6.5 +300 (-120)

Will Donald Trump say “anarchists”?

  • Yes -700 (-240)
  • No +400 (+160)

How many times will Donald Trump say “Antifa”?

  • Under 4.5 -220 (-120)
  • Over 4.5 +155 (-120)

How many times will Donald Trump say “Portland”?

  • Over 2.5 -280
  • Under 2.5 +190

How many times will Donald Trump say “Seattle”?

  • Under 1.5 -200
  • Over 1.5 +150

Will Donald Trump mention Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler by name?

  • No -800 (-250)
  • Yes +425 (+170)

Will Donald Trump say “law and order”?

  • Yes -1100 (-500)
  • No +550 (+300)

How many times will Donald Trump say “law and order”?

  • Over 3.5 -120
  • Under 3.5 -120

How many times will Donald Trump say “Obama”?

  • Under 3.5 -140 (-120)
  • Over 3.5 +100 (-120)
Debate

How many times will Joe Biden say “Q” or “QAnon”?

Gambling debate topics questions
  • Under 1.5 -500 (+170)
  • Over 1.5 +300 (-250)

Will Joe Biden say “very fine people”?

  • No -160
  • Yes +120

Will Joe Biden call Donald Trump a “racist”?

  • No -250
  • Yes +170

How many times will Joe Biden say “Antifa”?

  • Under 1.5 -500 (-300)
  • Over 1.5 +300 (+200)

Will Joe Biden say “fact check”?

  • Yes -160
  • No +120

Will Joe Biden call Trump a “liar”?

  • Yes -300
  • No +200

Will Joe Biden mention Washington Post Associate Editor Bob Woodward?

  • No -140 (+150)
  • Yes +100 (-200)

Will Joe Biden mention the number of US COVID-19 deaths?

  • Yes -1100 (-500)
  • No +550 (+300)

Will Joe Biden misquote the number US COVID-19 deaths by over 100k?

  • No -600 (-400)
  • Yes +350 (+250)

Will Joe Biden say “Russia”?

  • Yes -700 (-300)
  • No +400 (+200)

How many times will Joe Biden say “China”?

  • Over 2.5 -120
  • Under 2.5 -120

Who will CNN say won the first debate?

  • Joe Biden -700 (-1200)
  • Donald Trump +400 (+550)

Who will Fox News say won the first debate?

  • Donald Trump -600 (-400)
  • Joe Biden +350 (+250)

Will Joe Biden participate in the second debate?

  • Yes -350 (-160)
  • No +225 (+120)

Will Joe Biden participate in the third debate?

  • Yes -300 (-250)
  • No +200 (+170)

Look for Candidate Trends

It is important to research which candidates will be debating before placing a wager on them. The likelihood of a candidate succeeding in a debate could be as simple as who they are facing, their experience with other candidates, whether they agree with the moderators on certain policies, and whether or not they are otherwise polarizing to some voting bloc or other.

Some candidates ramp up engagement efforts before the debates via town halls, public canvassing, namedropping other candidates, social media blitzes, and revealing new policies that become hot conversation topics, and so on.

Hedge Your Debate Bet

Hedging your debate bets is all about finding a win-win situation. This could mean wagering on two individuals in the debate who seem like the strongest contenders or the ones who have obvious policy stances that resonate with the wider population, then finding debate betting lines that relate to these policies. Again, this option will have to be specific to the debate betting lines available.

You can also watch how betting trends shift, placing a wager early and then taking the other side when the line moves too far, guaranteeing a profit no matter the outcome. This strategy is called 'playing the middle,' and it is ironically exactly what all successful candidates try to do with their audiences.

Trump Biden Debate Schedule For 2020

Now that the Presidential election is effectively narrowed down to two candidates (plus a pair of irrelevant third party candidates and possibly rap mogul Kanye West), the highly anticipated Trump Biden debate dates have been scheduled.

2020 Presidential Debates Schedule

  • September 29, 2020 - Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (Moderator: Chris Wallace, Fox News)
  • October 15, 2020 - Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL (Moderator: Steve Scully, C-SPAN)
  • October 22, 2020 - Belmont University, Nashville, TN (Moderator: Kristen Welker, NBC)

The above dates are all tentative. You can already find Vegas political odds on whether or not these debates will actually happen at all, and there's a strong chance that at least one of them will be canceled.

By most accounts, Biden is not a strong debater, and the common consensus is that he has nothing to gain by debating Trump. Of course, any cancellations will be blamed on the coronavirus, and town-hall-style faux debates with canned questions (and no mechanisms for the candidates to challenge one another) is a distinct possibility.

Remember, nothing about this election cycle is typical or traditional, which is the safest bet of all.

Vice Presidential Debate Schedule For 2020

Along with the Presidential debates, there is currently one VP debate scheduled before the November 2020 general election. Barring any changes, this Vice Presidential debate will take place at the following date and place:

  • October 7, 2020 - University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (Moderator: Susan Page, USA Today)

Will Biden Debate Trump?

Since participating in the debates is not a constitutional requirement of candidates, it is possible that either Biden or Trump could withdraw, thus canceling the events altogether. The Coronavirus has debate planners working overtime to manage the logistics involved.

It is possible that the debates could be held with Trump and Biden in person with a limited audience or no spectators at all. There is also a chance the debates occur remotely with each candidate in an isolated environment.

Trump is all for in-person debates and wants to hold more than the three events that are already on the schedule. Biden has made several odd comments over the last few months, and his campaign may be concerned that the debates could significantly harm his election odds if he falters on stage.

With so many other concerns on the table, Biden has an easy out if he wants to withdraw. A Biden debate withdrawal is within the realm of possibility, but Trump is all-in.

Update: As of Monday, September 28, it appears that Trump vs. Biden 1 is a go. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 29, at 9:00 PM EST, though there will be no live audience. With less than two days to go before the first Presidential debate, it looks like the two candidates will take the stage at least once this cycle. Get that popcorn ready!

Will There Be Presidential Debates In 2020?

The three Presidential debates are still on the calendar and although all details are not quite finalized for debates two and three, it appears that they will likely happen. Biden's campaign has moved at a snail's pace during the 2020 campaign, so it is no surprise that they are slow to decide regarding debate participation.

Still, withdrawal is possible if conditions are not acceptable. Also, with Biden so far ahead in the political polls and betting odds, many believe that he can only lose ground by debating Trump. The President is in favor of adding more debates to the schedule, as he is looking to close the gap and rally for the win in the fourth quarter.

Do Las Vegas Oddsmakers Really Care About The Debates?

Absolutely, but only academically. Many Vegas oddsmakers track debate betting trends and release insight about the debates and other elections, even though they don't actually offer betting lines on these events.

In Vegas, debate odds are all about marketing other betting opportunities to eager gamblers. Political betting has surged in popularity over the last several years, but it is difficult to say when exactly Vegas bookies will be able to legally take action on politics.

Fortunately, you can wager on political debates (including both Democratic debates and Republican debates) at offshore sports betting sites like those listed here. These sites have lots of experience covering American elections, and the odds available should provide loads of entertainment regardless of the pols on the stage.

2020 Democratic Presidential Debates Timeline

  • September 12, 2019
  • Texas Southern University
  • Houston, TX
  • ABC
  • October 15, 2019
  • Otterbein University
  • Westerville, OH
  • CNN, NYT
  • November 20, 2019
  • Tyler Perry Studios
  • Atlanta, GA
  • MSNBC, WaPo
  • December 19, 2019
  • Loyola Marymount University
  • Los Angeles, CA
  • PBS, Politico
  • January 14, 2020
  • Drake University
  • Des Moines, IA
  • CNN, The Des Moines Register
  • February 7, 2020
  • St. Anselm College
  • Manchester, NH
  • ABC, Apple News
  • February 19, 2020
  • Paris Las Vegas Casino
  • Las Vegas, NV
  • NBC, The Nevada Independent
  • February 25, 2020
  • Gaillard Center
  • Charleston, SC
  • CBS, Congressional Black Caucus
  • March 15, 2020
  • Arizona Federal Theatre
  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • CNN/Univision
  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus
  • Canceled

This debate was canceled after Joe Biden became the last man standing and the automatic presumptive nominee, even before earning enough delegates for the party nomination via state primary elections.

How Many Democratic Debates Were Held Before The Nominee Was Decided?

The original schedule called for 12 debates to be held before settling on the eventual Democratic nominee at the DNC National Convention (six in 2019 and six in 2020). However, Biden became the presumptive nominee before the full conclusion of the slate, and the 12th debate was canceled. You can see the details for each debate's date and location in the section above.

Republican Debate

The Republican party did not hold any Republican primary debates, as the Republican National Convention (RNC) chose to skip debates in support of incumbent President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign. This is standard operating procedure for incumbents who don't have any credible national challengers.

However, the RNC did note they would permit a debate if they saw the need for it. In addition, offshore sportsbooks have Republican odds available for several potential party contenders, and you can also get a host of wacky Donald Trump props, and Trump 2020 election odds pretty much year-round.

Where Can I Watch The Presidential Debates?

The Presidential debates can be watched on several platforms, depending on which partner network is hosting them. These include outfits like ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, Telemundo, Univision, and others. These networks also offer mobile streaming apps so debates can be conveniently watched on your favorite mobile device. Many broadcaster websites will also offer live coverage on their home pages and Twitter/Facebook feeds.

Debate Digest: Teacher-student friendships on Facebook, Law school, Balanced budget amendment, US debt ceiling deal.

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Is gambling generally bad for society? Should it be severely restricted?

Gambling Debate Topics Questions

[Edit]

Background and context

Gambling is the betting of money on an outcome that is wholly or largely random. It includes things like bingo, roulette, raffles, lotteries, scratch-cards and slot machines. Some definitions of gambling would not include activities like betting on horse racing – although this arguably involves a large element of knowledge and skill to predict what is likely to happen. Card games are a grey area. Some card games, such as poker, have a considerable element of skill. It is therefore arguable that they should not be considered gambling. Other card games are largely a matter of luck. The precise legal definition of gambling varies from country to country. Most countries regulate gambling. For example, it is often necessary to have a licence to run a lottery or a casino. There is also usually a minimum age for gambling. Gambling is illegal in some jurisdictions, including several states of the USA and many Islamic countries. In contrast, some governments try to use gambling as a force for good. Many states run lotteries – the profits are used to pay for public services. In the USA Native American nations control their own affairs and often profit by being able to run casinos on reservations, attracting gamblers from surrounding states where gambling is banned. At the time of writing (August 2006), the British government was liberalizing gambling laws. It hopes to use casinos to create employment in disadvantaged areas. The arguments presented below mostly concern gambling in general. However, much current controversy relates to internet gambling. This form of gambling is covered in the last argument on either side. Several states of the USA have banned internet gambling. However, it has proved very hard to stop people using websites based in other countries.

Contents

  • 1. Is gambling generally bad for society? Should it be severely restricted?
  • 2. Background and context
  • 3. Individual effects: Is gambling generally harmful to the individual gambler?
  • 4. Crime effects: Does gambling cause an increase in various kinds of related criminal activities?
  • 5. Bad industry? Are casinos an industry with bad merit? Is nothing of value produced by casinos?
  • 6. Addiction: Is gambling commonly addictive, and would this be a reason for regulating it?
  • 7. Economic harm? Do casinos casinos cause economic harm or provide very few economic benefits?
  • 8. Social welfare effects: Are the charitable generations from gambling substantial, and can this go toward justifying their existence?
  • 9. Should online gambling be banned?
  • 10. See also
  • 11. External links and resources
  • 12. Books:

Gambling Debate Topics Definition

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Individual effects: Is gambling generally harmful to the individual gambler?

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Yes

  • Gambling is irrational and reckless and should, therefore, be regulated by the government. There may be the possibility of winning a big prize, but the overwhelming likelihood is that a gambler will lose money. This is ensured by the fact that Casinos are profit-minded organizations, and calculate their odds so that they will always make a profit. Because gamblers are always likely to lose and suffer as a result, the activity can be seen in many ways as an irrational engagement.
Gambling attracts people with little money who are desperate for a windfall. These are the people who can least afford to lose money. They should be protected from the temptation to gamble.
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No

Contention that the general individual losses from gambling are justified by it being a fun and leisurely activity worth 'paying' for: Gamblers know that, overall, they are likely to lose money. They gamble because it is a leisure pursuit that they enjoy. There is nothing irrational about this. Some people get an enjoyable thrill from the remote possibility that they might win a huge prize – even if they lose, they enjoy the experience. Some forms of gambling are highly sociable. For example, many people go to bingo halls to spend time with friends. Society accepts people spending (“wasting”?) money on other leisure pursuits with no material benefits (e.g. cinema tickets, watching sport) – gambling should not be any different. It is patronizing to suggest that people, including those on low incomes, should not be able to choose how they spend their money.

  • Psychological benefits of gambling: Some argue that gambling offers psychological benefits. The psychological benefits may include:
  1. A feeling of control (which some describe as God-like).
  2. Confidence that extends from feelings of executive control in decision-making.
  3. Benefits in the ability to psycho-analyze other peoples thoughts, and placing moneyed interests and incentives behind the results of such psycho-analysis.[1]
  4. Total engagement and 'peak experience'. 'It provides the gambler with 'peak experience,' that godlike feeling when all of one's physical and emotional senses are 'go.'[2]
  5. The release from daily tension.
  6. Feelings of exercising 'the adventurer within us' - that part of ourselves which lusts for change, the wooing of the unknown, change, danger, all that is new...It is part of what makes us human.'[3]
  7. Feelings of engaging in a ubiquitous, historical human tradition.
  8. Emotions of non-conformity and freedom. One source quoted a gambler who said, 'All day long you do what them dumb bastard supervisors tell you. Don't make no difference whether it makes sense or not. Sometimes you just gotta get out of line.'[4]
  • Gambling increases individual efficiency: Studies show that, contrary to popular belief, gambling is by and large beneficial to the gambler and increases rather than decreases his efficiency. It is beneficial in that it stimulates, offers hope, allows decision making, and, in many cases,
[Edit]
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Crime effects: Does gambling cause an increase in various kinds of related criminal activities?

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Yes

  • Casinos are often associated with criminal activity. Drug dealers and prostitutes operate near casinos – they know that there are a large number of potential clients in the area. Casinos can therefore be devastating to neighborhoods.
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No

  • People committing crimes should be prosecuted. The existence of criminals does not make nearby businesses (including casinos) immoral. It is perverse to punish people who just want to gamble (and not take drugs or use prostitutes) by taking away their chance to do so.
[Edit]
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Bad industry? Are casinos an industry with bad merit? Is nothing of value produced by casinos?

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Yes

  • Casinos don't produce any 'product': Many contend that gambling is inappropriate because it does not generate any tangible product. One commentators says that gambling 'is an ethereal substance--'a biological substance'--that produces 'highs...generated usually by anticipation.'[5]
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No

  • Contention that casinos are involved in the entertainment business, and need not produce a tangible product: Gambling is a form of entertainment that is similar to many other forms of entertainment; the objective is merely to foster a desired emotional response from the audience. Movies, theater, fair-grounds, concerts, sporting-events, and casinos are all similar in that their primary function is to foster an environment of entertainment. That is their 'product', which need not be physical in order to be viewed as valuable.
[Edit]
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Addiction: Is gambling commonly addictive, and would this be a reason for regulating it?

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Yes

  • Gambling is addictive. Many people end up gambling to try to recover money they have already lost. This is known as ‘chasing losses’. It results in people staking more and more money, most of which they will lose. Gambling addicts often turn to crime to feed their addiction. Addiction is highly damaging to families, since gamblers will spend whatever money they can on gambling. People start to gamble without thinking that they will become addicted. Once they become addicted, it is too late. As with drugs, it is better to ban gambling to stop people getting started in the first place.
  • Analogy that gambling truly is like a drug, and should be treated as a controlled substance:
    • It is 'drug-like' in the way that it dramatically utilizes human chemicals:William M. Thompson, 'Gambling: A Controlled Substance', PBS Interview, 1994 - 'Is the comparison of drugs and gambling unfair? Consider the words of Thomas R. O'Brien, formerly Director of Gaming Enforcement for the state of New Jersey. In 1984 he told a conference on gambling that the success of Atlantic City was tied to how well it sold its 'only products.' He then said: 'That product is not entertainment or recreation or leisure. It's really adrenaline: a biological substance capable of producing excitement--highs and generated usually by anticipation or expectation of a future event, especially when the outcome of that event is in doubt.' According to chief regulator of the industry, gambling was not only a drug, but a mind-altering drug.'
    • The addictive and destructive nature of gambling is also drug-like:William M. Thompson, 'Gambling: A Controlled Substance', PBS Interview, 1994 - 'Where governments do not prohibit, the majority can exercise self-control. Seventy-five percent gamble responsibly. They find it an entertaining diversion. But another 20 percent overindulge. They incur debts that impair abilities to support their families, unless they stop. Usually they can. Four percent cannot stop without intervention of others. Then there are the one-half to one percent (and these are conservative estimates) who fall into destructive behaviors when exposed to gambling. Families are destroyed, friendships broken, employment disrupted. Cycles of deception and crime lead to ruined lives--and in many cases, suicide.'
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No

  • Contention that gambling is not physically addictive: Unlike drugs, gambling is not physically addictive. It is only psychologically addictive in some people. Only a small percentage of gamblers have an addiction. Many more get enjoyment from gambling without problems – why should these people suffer because a few others get addicted? The risks of gambling addiction are well known. People can make a conscious choice to start gambling, and are aware of the risks of addiction. Treatment programmes can address the problems of those who are addicted.
[Edit]
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Economic harm? Do casinos casinos cause economic harm or provide very few economic benefits?

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Yes

  • The long-term economic negatives outweigh the short-term economic gains:John Warren Kind, 'The Business-Economic Impacts of Licensed Casino Gambling in West Virginia: Short-Term Gain but Long-Term Pain', PBS, 1994 - 'While the dollars invested in various legalized gambling projects and the jobs initially created are evident, the industry has been criticized for inflating the positive economic impacts and trivializing or ignoring the negative impacts (Goodman 1994). The industry's tendency to focus on specialized factors provides a distorted view of the localized economic positives, while ignoring the strategic business-economic costs to the state as a whole (such as West Virginia) and to different regions of the United States (California Governor's Office 1992, Kindt 1995). In 1994, all of the various experts who testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business criticized the impacts that casino-style gambling activities inflict upon the criminal justice system, the social welfare, system, small businesses, and the economy (Congressional Hearing 1994). Utilizing legalized gambling activities as a strategy for economic development was thoroughly discredited during the hearing.'
  • The actual economic benefits of casinos are exaggerated. They generally only create low-paid jobs for local people; the casino companies usually bring in managers from elsewhere.
  • There are too many economic 'externalities' surrounding gambling, which nullify the benefits:
    • Crime -
    • Risky behavior - Compulsive gambling may foster poor, sometimes risky money-management habits. These habits may transfer over to other areas of the economy, where risky behaviors translate into a higher likelihood of loss in various markets.
    • Time consumption - Compulsive gambling often entails significant time consumption, which detracts from more productive ends.
  • Jobs could be created through many other industries that cause fewer moral and practical problems (e.g. theme parks).
  • Any economic benefits would not matter, if the industry is deemed immoral:
  • Estimated losses from compulsive gambling:William M. Thompson, 'Gambling: A Controlled Substance', PBS Interview, 1994 - 'Conservative numbers suggest it costs society $13,000 per year for each compulsive gambler. The losses include treatment costs, lost productivity, criminal activity and judicial costs. Estimating that widespread gambling across America would create one million compulsive gamblers, the resulting annual economic loss would exceed $13 billion.'
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No

  • Casinos cause money to be spent on transport infrastructure, which is very beneficial to economies:
  • Casinos help the tourism industry of a place: The jobs are not just in the casino itself. More jobs are created in hotels and other parts of the tourism industry.
  • Examples in which casinos have helped to regenerate many places that previously had considerable poverty and social problems:
    • Atlantic City.
    • New Jersey.
  • Legalized gambling on reservations is very important to Native American tribes: Anthony Pico, Chairman of the Viejas Indians, explains the benefits to his tribe of legalized gambling on his tribe's reservation in a PBS interview.[6]
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Social welfare effects: Are the charitable generations from gambling substantial, and can this go toward justifying their existence?

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Yes

  • It is immoral for the state or charities to raise money by exploiting people’s stupidity and greed.
  • Gambling is regressive (this means that the poor pay a greater proportion of their income in tax than the rich). This is because poor people are more likely to gamble. Regressive taxation is deeply unfair.
  • 'Legalized gambling activities act as a regressive tax on the poor' (Clotfelter and Cook 1989). Specifically, the legalization of various forms of gambling activities makes 'poor people poorer' and can dramatically intensify many pre-existing social-welfare problems. Demographic analyses reveal that certain disadvantaged socioeconomic groups tend to gamble proportionately greater amounts of their overall income and marketing efforts, particularly by state lotteries, have allegedly been directed at these target groups.' - John Warren Kind, 'The Business-Economic Impacts of Licensed Casino Gambling in West Virginia: Short-Term Gain but Long-Term Pain', PBS, 1994
  • Contention that education is harmed by gambling practices:Kind, PBS, 1994 - 'Legalized gambling activities also negatively affect education-- both philosophically and fiscally (Better Government Association 1992; Clotfelter and Cook 1989). Adherence to a philosophy of making a living via gambling activities not only abrogates the perceived need for an education, but also reinforces economically unproductive activities (and is statistically impossible since the 'house' always wins eventually). In states with legalized gambling activities which were initiated allegedly to bolster tax revenues to 'education,' the funding in 'real dollars' has almost uniformly decreased.'
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No

  • Gambling is often used to raise money for the state or good causes. Charities use prize draws to raise funds:
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Should online gambling be banned?

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Yes

  • Internet gambling is especially dangerous. Someone can become addicted very easily – they don’t even need to leave their home. This also means that they are gambling in private. They may therefore be less reluctant to wager very large sums they cannot afford. It is very hard to know the identity of an online gambler – there have been several cases of people (including children) using stolen credit cards to gamble online. Online gambling may be hard to control but that is not a reason to try – making an activity more difficult to pursue will still reduce the number of those who take it up. It is not impossible to put effective deterrent steps in place, such as the recent US ban on American banks processing credit card payments to internet ].
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No

  • It is impossible to stop online gambling. When it has been banned, people have just used sites based in other countries. It is better to legalize and regulate online gambling than to drive gamblers to poorly-regulated foreign operators. Regulation can reduce the problems identified by the proposition. For example, online gamblers can be required to give personal details when registering (e.g. occupation, income). If this information suggests they are spending more than they can afford, the company can block their credit card. In any case, most online gamblers do not get addicted. Why should they be denied an activity that they enjoy?

See also

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External links and resources

Books:

  • This is GamblingNick Constable
  • GamblingCraig Donnellan
  • not applicable/interntionaldeba/104-5333130-0270319 The Economics and Ethics of Casino Gambling, Review of Business 18.3Alfonso Oddo
  • Straight Talk about Teenage GamblingCarol Saunders
  • Cutting the Wire: Gaming Prohibition and the InternetDavid Schwartz
  • Need to Know: GamblingMichael Smeaton
  • Everything You Need to Know About the Dangers of Sports GamblingJosh Wilker
  • Legalized GamblingMary Williams


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