I play poker recreationally and can see both sides of the debate on this. I realize this isn't as controversial or nearly as important as recent global developments but I'm curious as to what some of you think.

I think the only real problem is age verification, otherwise I have no problem if someone wants to piss away their lifesaving's.

One issue many don't realize, is it's better to play in a casino with cash, doing it online leaves a trail for the IRS to follow when you win.
Remember, you can win 20 grand, and lose it all and then some, but you'll still be taxed on the profit.

I'll be moving this to the living room since it's not really political.

Keeping the games honest and secure would be a very real problem imo. Every connected crook in the world would be out to crack the game system(s) and it would take an army of I.T. security specialists working overtime to keep the losses and exploits down. Also keep in mind that these security issues would probably result in the creation of yet another massive government agency with a acronym title such as the "NOGA" (National Online Gaming Agency).

Then there'd be the issue of trying to keep public assistance funded losers from becoming even bigger losers on our dime (we already have enough of this going on with the various lotteries across the country). 

The only benefit to those of us who don't gamble would be the chance to bid on an even larger selection of foreclosed or repossessed houses and vehicles.

Quote from: Telmark on September 03, 2013, 05:49:39 PM
Keeping the games honest and secure would be a very real problem imo. Every connected crook in the world would be out to crack the game system(s) and it would take an army of I.T. security specialists working overtime to keep the losses and exploits down. Also keep in mind that these security issues would probably result in the creation of yet another massive government agency with a acronym title such as the "NOGA" (National Online Gaming Agency).

Then there'd be the issue of trying to keep public assistance funded losers from becoming even bigger losers on our dime (we already have enough of this going on with the various lotteries across the country). 

The only benefit to those of us who don't gamble would be the chance to bid on an even larger selection of foreclosed or repossessed houses and vehicles.

Excellent point!
Then there is the issue of fraud, on another forum, a member was gambling on line (don't know where) but he claimed they robbed him, he had accumulated a large pot of winnings, had a for sure win in hand, bet it all, and suddenly he lost his connection with the casino.
He's certain they knew his hand and didn't want to pay up.

Yeah, gambling attracts the most corrupt of the human race, just look at Vegas.

I think you're right that a new regulation board would be created. However, if the taxes the games brought in were to outweigh the cost of the board, it would be worth it to non-gamblers. Of course it would be impossible given the way our government spends but hypothetically, it is possible.

I think a person has a right to waste their money as they like.  Once a year I put one dollar on a lotto ticket.