http://www.slate.com/id/2146538

Great article, this. Talks about how their is an approach the government could take towards gambling that is neither libertarian or authoritarian, and the difference between the "nanny state" and the paternalistic attitude the government has now.

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Slotty McSlots

Great article, Slotty. Thanks for posting.

It really does make you wonder if the government is acting out of the interest of the people or their own self-interest.

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"I am in so far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin" - Richard III

Maybe the government's just upset because they haven't yet figured out a way to profit from internet gambling.

Makes ME wonder how folks could actually think it anything BUT their own self-interest anymore. I'd love to say differently, but imho the proof is in the pudding.

I just hope things take a better turn this next election. For heavens sake, there certainly is a way to make a win-win situation out of these types of things where Americans can have choices and opportunities to utilize new technologies for fun (or whatever), while benefiting society in some way (or two, or ten) and not have some hipocritical puddin' head pointing his finger while ruining our fun. Gambling itself is not illegal - why should anyone be FORCED to leave their home, buy gas, and travel to a brick and mortar casino? What about those who physically can not? Not to mention, the vast majority (and largest) of gaming establishments in our 2 state area are tribal, so the lack of online taxation is definately NOT a factor.

I think Larry is right on the profit point. Until they can refine their sneaky methods enabling them to route big gambling net profits in the backdoor of their own accounts, they want us buying their oil thru fuel consumption. But as soon as they're in the cash pipeline, the war will end - and then they will tax the heck out of it and send funds through their FRONT door too.

-- Silly War (on gambling) is right, but what else is new, eh?

//Casta steps down from the soapbox, and appologizes sincerely to the crowd for going off about that 'BLEEEEP BLEEEEEEEEP BLEEPER' She'll restrain herself from now on. //

Well said! With a speech like that, maybe you should run for Congress.
You couldn't do any worse, right?

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"People shouldn't be afraid of their government. A government should be afraid of its people."

I couldn't do the backstabbing, lying, kiss yer azz while skimming off the top, fake smile and b.s. environment. Altho if I did end up there I'd certainly be good for society one way or another - because my str8 up call it as I see it, outspoken self would likely knock off numerous oldtimers by stroke, heartattack, or blood pressure. That'd be one way to get rid of some of them

cs

A few things to be aware of...

It isn't so much the profit margin that the legislators are thinking of - at least not the GOVERNMENTS profit margin.

First of all, Brick and Mortar gaming companies and Tribal Gaming enterprises are funding the campaigns of a good many of the legislators that are supporting this ban. Case in point is Harrah's which gave over $50,000 to Frists campaign cause he said he would sponsor this for them and not mention them. He also bought stock - so now he's being investigated for insider trading along with a cronie or two. Don't forget the tribes don't pay taxes on THEIR profits - but they can still buy the govt off to protect their interest.

So to make it appear that they were doing this for the "Good of the People" they invented this justification that they were protecting gambling addicts by making it harder for them to gamble - BULL PUCKEY! They just made sure that the addicts, along with the rest of us, have to go to a Casino to gamble - somewhere where they can go to a conveniently placed cash machine and get free drinks while they are playing.

They also said that "Online Gaming is a major part of the illegal money laundering operation of many types of organized crime syndicates" YEAH RIGHT - just like the war on drugs is fighting the importation of cocaine and herion from the syndicates in govts that our LEADERS keep in power. There's a joke.

Then they said they were protecting children because online gambling sites do not stop kids from entering. OK - maybe that could be said of some - HOWEVER, in order to play for money you need a bankroll service like Neteller and a bank account to use with it and THAT you can't get if you aren't old enough to play. Those institutions watch their own bottom lines and if they let any kid in eventually they would get shut down by whatever govt of whatever country they operate from anyway - they aren't stupid.

You really want to protect the kids on the internet - take the revenue from gambling and - like state lotteries using the proceeds to fund education - use that to get better enforcement for goin after predators and pedophiles.... OH WAIT, I forgot, turns out that the states aren't really using the money for education like they said they would - that was a scam too.

Hmmm - I think I am seeing a pattern here. Say whatever will make you look good to get what you want and then as soon as you got it - do whatever you feel like doing cause there's nothing the public can do after it's a law!

Politicians only care about getting re-elected or moving onto the next bigger office so they can get a bigger salary for the rest of their life (Yeah that's why Social Security never gets fixed - politicians don't have to LIVE on it. Social Security is for the peons - you know... us average people, Jane and Joe Voter. Politicians retire and continue to draw their FULL SALARY FOR LIFE)

They will do or say whatever it takes to get them what they want - which is basically more money. And they will support anyone, like the tribes or the big casino companies who will help them get it. And all of THEM have their own agenda and it has NOTHING to do with protecting any of us!

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PokerPrincess
Live, Love, Laugh

Yeah, I guess I get on a soapbox when it comes to this - but I just hate it that governments think us average Jo's (or Joe's as the case may be) are so stupid. And since most voting age adults are totally apathetic and the rest are firmly ensconced in "the party line" it's really not hard to see why they think they can do this. It's another sad statement on the status of our global society. And don't EVEN get me started on welfare and Social Security...lol I'm far too personally acquainted with the flaws of THOSE systems - we'd be here all month!