Ban Gambling

"So you think that money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?" -- Ayn Rand Gambling encompasses various types of betting , including but not limited to: lottery tickets, raffles, card games like Black Jack, and other casino activities. In the opening round, PRO has failed to address how all types of gambling are immoral or unnecessary. Instead he promotes the idea of the government inhibiting the rights of Americans to spend their money how they please for the good of the State. I will be arguing how this logic is flawed and oppressive. I will also describe how various forms of gambling (which PRO has conveniently ignored) are not all that bad. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Re: The Cash Flow Yes, $100B is swapped from gamblers to casino owners. But what PRO fails to mention are the costs to run that casino, and the jobs created in the process. Further, he ignores entirely that gambling provides a great deal of satisfaction to participants. Since when should we not be able to spend our money on what we legally enjoy? PRO says, "It creates no products or anything else of value. It actually diverts money away from local businesses." This is wrong. Entertainment = Value, and consider the amount of casinos intertwined with hotels and other restaurants, shops, etc. The casino actually draws people to spend more money. Re: The govt. should promote public virtue, not seduce its citizens to gamble in state-sponsored vice. There's a lot of things the government should and shouldn't do, but let's not go there. The government, like every other organization, is a business. Because banning gambling is a huge infringement upon people's rights, the govt. devised a way to make money: to share in the profit by allowing gambling to remain legal (and the establishments to exist). The government does this with various businesses every single day via taxation. Further, not every gambler becomes obsessed with this so-called vice, just as not everyone who enjoys McDonalds is obese. The government also profits through businesses like McDonalds existing -- is that wrong because SOME people over-do it? And what is over-doing it anyway, and who cares? The bottom line is that it is not the government's right or responsibility to worry about its people outside of the boundaries (and benefits) of citizenship. Fortunately, 'freedom' is a benefit of citizenship in this country. At least it should be. Re: Problems for Gamblers Unlike drugs, gambling is not physically addictive. It is not also especially common. You CANNOT infringe upon the rights of others because of SOME irresponsible individuals. Not only is it immoral, but it doesn't work well in practice either (note: Prohibition). Re: Gambling in America So some Americans once thought of gambling as a vice? Tell me, was it those same people who also saw African Americans as 3/5 of human beings? You get the idea. Opinions change. Our founding fathers chanted "No taxation without representation!" I think the support for legal gambling - which my opponent noted - speaks volumes about American sentiments regarding this past-time. To equate gambling with excessive crime and suicide is a fallacy; a mere attempt at drawing sympathy for the cause. And by the way, not everything has to support our economy or be safe in order for it to be legal (even though gambling DOES contribute to the economy, and is not physically dangerous). I'd like people to keep in mind that the government exists to protect US and not vice versa. * My Own Contentions * Gamblers know that The House always wins, and yet it is a risk they take under their own free will. People gamble for the excitement (thrill), fun, and for the social environment. For many, it's a symbol of luxury. Others just enjoy the games. Seeing someone "waste their money" by going to the movies is no different than seeing people gamble... except, of course, someone can gamble on a $1 lottery ticket instead of a $10 film. Keep in mind that PRO failed to discuss how the lottery in particular benefits the State a great deal, which is odd considering his concerns with our current economy. He doesn't mention charity raffles either, but I digress. Casinos work in or with the hotel, tourism and entertainment industries, and provide direct value to such. A current resident of NJ (Go Rutgers!), I have seen first-hand how places like Atlantic City contribute greatly to the prosperity of the state. Further, it is Unconstitutional to limit the capitalistic supply and demand market based on SOME probability that people will "destroy themselves" ... Everything comes with a risk or a price. The government has already taken measures to regulate this practice. Attempting to legally ban it would have detrimental effects on the government and society. I'll await my opponent's response before explaining further...