Freedom includes being free to self regulate and to make mistakes.
But freedom also includes recognizing problems and acting responsibly to minimize the adverse affects to society at large. The problem being pointed out here is that some may be placing obstacles in the paths of those who are having trouble self regulating.
Gamblers aren't free in any meaningful sense. That's what a compulsion is - the inability to do otherwise.
Being free to self-regulate makes sense when a person has the capacity to self-regulate. It's nonsensical and Procrustean when applies to a person who lacks the ability.
Yeah we do, and every time it comes up, we lazily point at 1920's prohibition as a failure as an excuse to try and not have any laws against it. Bars close at 2am in many states, some don't allow them to be open on Sundays, and there's no Al Capone gunning down G-men over it.
Right, and I suspect many people on here and elsewhere that want gambling banned don't want alcohol banned and can come up with several convenient reasons why not.
But imo the real reason is that they enjoy alcohol and don't enjoy gambling.
Alcohol is S I G N I F I C A N T L Y more regulated than DraftKings - what are you even trying to say? Last I checked (US), you can bet on prediction markets and sports (18+ according to DraftKings) years before you can drink alcohol.
I wasn't talking about age limits. I meant that someone can drink themselves literally to death with nothing stopping them. It is way more dangerous than gambling.
Does it have to be a contest? Go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting and hear some really sad stories. Gambling addiction ruins lives, not just the gambler's but their family and friends and does often end with the gambler taking their own life.
We don’t talk about alcoholics being gullible - why gamblers? It’s pretty clear how unregulated the industry is, especially in the current climate.