Casinos are allowed up here in Seattle, but I notice the parking lots
are much less full Sat. night then they were 2 years ago.
I guess the addicted gamblers are still regulars, but most people
don't have the play money they used to, to blow on such a losing
pasttime.
JR
Dweller in the cellar

On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:09:02 -0500, F. George McDuffee
wrote:

On Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:47:26 -0700, Rich Grise
wrote:

Sunworshipper wrote:

I've personally have seen
people blow both pay checks on gambling and then frequent pawn and
loan places.

And this is any skin off your nose exactly how?

Thanks,
Rich
=============

In the shortest-term and most limited Libertarian sense Rich
is correct.

Unfortunately, we live an a longer term aggregate/holistic
world. Even if this is only an occasional occurrence, the
probabilities are this will quickly involve petty crime,
prostitution, etc. and if any children are involved,
social services are likely to become involved, all at
significant taxpayer expense. The costs to society are not
limited to taxes as bankruptcy and other financial problems
are likely to result, most of which cost will be passed on
to others through higher interest rates/fees to cover the
resulting bad debts, if only because the people directly
involved have no money left.

IMNSHO - the “quality of life” in any community is very
adversely effected when significant gambling is promoted,
especially by the government, e.g. the lottery and OTB,
resulting in gambling addicts. Even manufacturing and other
operations in the community will be affected because of the
increased probability of "on the job" theft, petty crime,
and embezzlement, as well as work disruptions resulting from
placing bets, loan sharking, and "enhanced" debt collection
activities.