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Comment by lowkey_ | Hacker News Reader

> Gambling seems to have passed its peak some years ago, both in terms of opportunity and social acceptability.

I'm not sure if you live in the US, but it's only gaining traction here in the States. It's becoming more socially accepted, widespread, and losing its stigma. Whether betting on the spread on sports games, betting on specific players' performances, season outcomes, or especially, fantasy sports.

You can't watch an NFL game for ten minutes these days without seeing an ad for DraftKings, FanDuel, MGM (lots of their ads this year), etc., so if you think gambling has passed its peak, I wonder if you don't watch much sports and it may not be targeted at you.

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He will be non US, elsewhere in the world gambling is so infested in our sports that football teams in the UK for instance are looking at moving away from gambling sponsorship. Only they can't because the money paid is just so high. There is alot of pushback now from fans due to the growing amount of children that are picking up gambling habits.

https://www.lbbonline.com/news/kids-ask-can-we-have-our-ball...

> I'm not sure if you live in the US

Erm... as I mentioned, UK :)

> It's becoming more socially accepted, widespread, and losing its stigma.

My contention is that this may be short lived. It's an industry which causes harm. These have a habit of receding significantly after growth.

For good or ill, Americans don't like being told what to do. If a person wants to gamble their life away, that's their business. If a person wants to drink themselves into oblivion, also their business...as long as they aren't hurting anyone else.

I play poker and of course I see people who are addicted to gambling. I feel bad for them. A non-zero pct of poker players manage a bankroll and play at their skill level and occasionally will play above their level to "see if they can do it," and often they get scared and jump back down to a safe level.

The one thing I will absolutely refute is any kind of "morality" assigned to gambling. It's an entertainment choice. I could play golf every other day and spend _way_ more money. I could travel and spend more money. I could enjoy fine dining weekly and spend more money. I might have a wine collection or car collection.

People have passions and gambling is just one of many. If you and others want to live in a cave and not enjoy whatever it is you enjoy that costs money, then I feel bad for you. You're only in this life once. Embrace it like it's your last....with the caveat that you should still be responsible to your family and community.

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