ON-LINE GAMBLING

ON-LINE GAMBLING

 

A cranky opinion for

Cranky Opinion Saturday

The following is the opinion of a cranky old man who has very little knowledge on the subject opined.  Opposing opinions are welcome; they are wrong, but welcome and please no name calling…that means you, you big stupid head!

New Jersey just made internet gambling legal.  This is great for advertising firms.  There are lots and lots of ads on TV today pushing the ease and the fun of betting on-line through your computer, tablet, or smart phone.  It may be good for the State with increased revenues.  Many people who like to make an occasional recreation bet like this law.

I am not sure it is a good idea.

Prohibition of alcohol was a bad idea, but at least people have to drink at home or in regulated restaurants or bars where a person can be cut off if he has had too much.  You can’t access an app on your phone and get bombed.

I am not against the legalization of marijuana.  I assume its sale and quality will be controlled, and it would not be allowed in certain areas. 

Legal prostitution, in designated areas and with health and safety controls, may be preferable to the illegal prostitution that is prevalent today, but you can’t get laid for a price on your i-phone.

Most addictions or potentially disruptive behavior has limitations due to availability or location.  Legalized on-line gambling has no limitations.

Gambling is addictive, and it is destructive.  When you need to make an hour drive to the casino, gambling loses its spur of the moment allure.  With on-line gambling legal, the temptation is available anywhere, anytime and without anyone knowing. 

Waiting in the doctor’s office?  Hey, let’s play roulette.

Sitting in a boring meeting at work?  Blackjack!

Red light? Poker.

Hate commuting to work?  Ooh…slot machines.

Could losing all your money be any easier?    

On-line gambling is going to ruin many lives.  The loser and his family will be ruined, and any on-line gambler will eventually lose.  The odds are rigged that way.  If you gamble enough, you will lose.  As my son says, “That's why casino urinals are granite and not porcelain?”

I hope the great state of New Jersey rakes in some heavy revenues through internet gambling, because we will need it to cover all the expenses and collateral damage to life and property that unrestricted gambling will cause.

The preceding has been the opinion of a cranky old man and not necessarily that of management…Mrs. Cranky.