Gambling encourages greed. There is no service rendered nor production of goods. It takes from the many to give to a few. The difference lies in the fact that the loser consents to taking the risk. The destructive effect of gambling may be noted whether one wins or loses.
Many people have a desire, often a compulsive desire, to gamble.
Most of these people have access to gambling opportunities. Spread across the social and economic spectrum of our nation, gambling is symptomatic of a deeply distressed society. Compulsive gamblers have an uncontrollable urge to gamble. Estimates of compulsive gamblers in this country range from 4 to 12 million persons. Gambling exploits the weaknesses of individuals.