Changes

In 2018, [[American]]s lost $118 billion of their own money to [[government]]-sponsored gambling, such as state lotteries.<ref>https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-how-much-americans-lost-on-state-sanctioned-gambling-last-year-2018-05-15</ref>  The overall harm is even far greater, '''''as [[emotional gambling]] leads to [[addiction]] that wastes massive amounts of time, such as watching [[NFL]] games'''''.  The odds of being attacked by a shark are greater than the chances of winning a major lottery.<ref>https://www.grunge.com/314416/lottery-winners-who-lost-all-their-money/</ref> An estimated 86% of gambling profits come from 5% of addicted gamblers.

In 2018, [[American]]s lost $118 billion of their own money to [[government]]-sponsored gambling, such as state lotteries.<ref>https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-how-much-americans-lost-on-state-sanctioned-gambling-last-year-2018-05-15</ref>  The overall harm is even far greater, '''''as [[emotional gambling]] leads to [[addiction]] that wastes massive amounts of time, such as watching [[NFL]] games'''''.  The odds of being attacked by a shark are greater than the chances of winning a major lottery.<ref>https://www.grunge.com/314416/lottery-winners-who-lost-all-their-money/</ref> An estimated 86% of gambling profits come from 5% of addicted gamblers.

[[Super Bowl|Super Subsidy a.k.a. Super Bowl]] is one of the biggest gambling events of the year, as it gives unjustified legitimacy to the sick habit of gambling.  All four [[the Gospels|Gospels]] condemn the act of gambling by the [[Roman]] soldiers at the [[Crucifixion]],<ref>https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghe/matthew-27.html</ref> and the [[Bible]] contains many verses against [[gambling]],<ref>https://www.openbible.info/topics/gambling</ref> including criticism in every [[the Gospels|Gospel]] of how those who crucified [[Jesus]] gambled over who would take his clothes afterward.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|27|35-36}}; {{bibleref|Mark|15|24}}; {{bibleref|Luke|23|34}}; {{bibleref|John|19|23-24}}</ref>  The Bible can help overcome a gambling and other [[addiction]]s.  [[RINO]] Gov. [[Ron DeSantis]] inflicted statewide [[sports gambling]] on [[Florida]].

[[Super Bowl|Super Subsidy a.k.a. Super Bowl]] is one of the biggest gambling events of the year, as it gives unjustified legitimacy to the sick habit of gambling.  All four [[the Gospels|Gospels]] condemn the act of gambling by the [[Roman]] soldiers at the [[Crucifixion]],<ref>https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghe/matthew-27.html</ref> and the [[Bible]] contains many verses against [[gambling]],<ref>https://www.openbible.info/topics/gambling</ref> including criticism in every [[the Gospels|Gospel]] of how those who crucified [[Jesus]] gambled over who would take his clothes afterward.<ref>{{bibleref|Matthew|27|35-36}}; {{bibleref|Mark|15|24}}; {{bibleref|Luke|23|34}}; {{bibleref|John|19|23-24}}</ref>  The Bible can help overcome gambling and other [[addiction]]s.  [[RINO]] Gov. [[Ron DeSantis]] inflicted statewide [[sports gambling]] on [[Florida]].

'''''Gambling is a way that government and businesses take money from the poor'''''.  Twice in our nation's history gambling was legalized in a widespread manner, and then prohibited.  We are currently in a third phase of the legalization of gambling, first in Reno, then Las Vegas and Atlantic City (Reno and Atlantic City have both declined economically in recent decades, while sunnier Las Vegas still attracts many more), and then on riverboats and Indian reservations, and now in multiple locations in some states.  Gambling is still mostly prohibited in many [[conservative]] states, such as Texas, except for government-sponsored gambling in the form of a state lottery, and allowances for charitable-sponsored events such as bingo halls, raffle tickets, etc.  The [[U.S. Supreme Court]] in its 6-3 decision in ''Murphy v. NCAA'' (May 14, 2018) struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act despite how that law had worked well for 26 years in mostly prohibiting wagering on sports.

'''''Gambling is a way that government and businesses take money from the poor'''''.  Twice in our nation's history gambling was legalized in a widespread manner, and then prohibited.  We are currently in a third phase of the legalization of gambling, first in Reno, then Las Vegas and Atlantic City (Reno and Atlantic City have both declined economically in recent decades, while sunnier Las Vegas still attracts many more), and then on riverboats and Indian reservations, and now in multiple locations in some states.  Gambling is still mostly prohibited in many [[conservative]] states, such as Texas, except for government-sponsored gambling in the form of a state lottery, and allowances for charitable-sponsored events such as bingo halls, raffle tickets, etc.  The [[U.S. Supreme Court]] in its 6-3 decision in ''Murphy v. NCAA'' (May 14, 2018) struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act despite how that law had worked well for 26 years in mostly prohibiting wagering on sports.

==Legality of Gambling==

==Legality of Gambling==

Several times in American history gambling has gone from being illegal, to being legal in many ways and places, to becoming illegal again.  Gambling is typically regulated at the state and local levels, but Congress passed a bill prohibiting internet gambling in 2006.   

Several times in American history gambling has gone from being illegal, to being legal in many ways and places, to becoming illegal again.  Gambling is typically regulated at the state and local levels, but Congress passed a bill prohibiting Internet gambling in 2006.   

In 2005, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) ruled that "the [[U.S.]] had failed to comply with a 2005 final WTO order to change certain laws related to a successful   

In 2005, the [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) ruled that "the [[U.S.]] had failed to comply with a 2005 final WTO order to change certain laws related to a successful   

On June 7, 2007, Rep. [[Robert Wexler]] (D-FL) introduced HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act.  This act would legalize Internet poker, bridge, mah jong and other games of skill.  Also on June 7, 2007, Rep. [[Jim McDermott]] (D-WA) introduced H.R. 2607, the Internet Gambling Tax Act.  The IGTA would legislate Internet gambling tax collection requirements.

On June 7, 2007, Rep. [[Robert Wexler]] (D-FL) introduced HR 2610, the Skill Game Protection Act.  This act would legalize Internet poker, bridge, mah jong and other games of skill.  Also on June 7, 2007, Rep. [[Jim McDermott]] (D-WA) introduced H.R. 2607, the Internet Gambling Tax Act.  The IGTA would legislate Internet gambling tax collection requirements.

On June 29, 2007, [[Focus on the Family]] issued an alert warning<ref>http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/gambling/cog/A000004244.cfm</ref> of a planned visit to Washington D.C. by a pro-Internet gambling rights group Casino Gambling Web.<ref>http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/gambling-law/an_internet_gambling_education_for_anti_online_gambling_groups_46698.html</ref>  According to the alert, Casino Gambling Web has collected nearly 5,000 American signatures on their Repeal the Internet Gambling Ban petition, at [http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/306149419 www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/306149419], and will take this to Washington in July 2007.

On June 29, 2007, [[Focus on the Family]] issued an alert warning<ref>http://www.citizenlink.org/FOSI/gambling/cog/A000004244.cfm</ref> of a planned visit to Washington, D.C. by a pro-Internet gambling rights group Casino Gambling Web.<ref>http://www.casinogamblingweb.com/gambling-news/gambling-law/an_internet_gambling_education_for_anti_online_gambling_groups_46698.html</ref>  According to the alert, Casino Gambling Web has collected nearly 5,000 American signatures on their Repeal the Internet Gambling Ban petition, at [http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/306149419 www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/306149419], and will take this to Washington in July 2007.

Legalized Internet gambling has been made available in New Jersey since November 2013.<ref>http://nypost.com/2014/05/19/illegal-sites-hurting-new-jersey-online-gambling/</ref>  Gamblers physically located in New Jersey can place bets on websites run by [[Atlantic City]] casinos.<ref>http://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/gamingsites.html</ref>

Legalized Internet gambling has been made available in New Jersey since November 2013.<ref>http://nypost.com/2014/05/19/illegal-sites-hurting-new-jersey-online-gambling/</ref>  Gamblers physically located in New Jersey can place bets on websites run by [[Atlantic City]] casinos.<ref>http://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/gamingsites.html</ref>

There are many online casinos.

There are many online casinos.

== Gambling Loss Limit ==

== Gambling Loss Limit ==The Missouri legislature, with the approval of voters, adopted a gambling loss limit in an effort to prevent substantial losses by gambling patrons.  The loss limit allows for a loss of no more than $500 every two hours, or $6000 per day.  This loss limit does not limit recreational gambling, but does clearly help reduce the impact felt by pathological and problem gamblers, as well as help prevent illegal money laundering.

Those individuals who would gamble and lose more than $500 every two hours are most likely to be pathological or problem gamblers.  Those individuals are the least able to control their gambling and are the most responsible for the social costs that result from gambling.<ref>http://www.casinowatch.org</ref>  This loss limit helps to reduce binge gambling because “many problem gamblers have binge activity extending over long hours. If casinos would have closing hours, (or loss limits) even if only for two to four hours an evening, such binge behavior could be temporarily stopped, and a problem gambler could be brought back to reality." <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/loss_limit/briefing_points.html</ref>  In fact, “removing loss limits at gambling establishments will lead to an increase in compulsive gambling and an [[escalation]] of the gambling by those individuals in the early throes of addiction." <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/loss_limit/lorenz_letter.html</ref>  

 

Those individuals who would gamble and lose more that $500 ever two hours are most likely to be the pathological and problem gambler.  Those individuals are the least able to control their gambling and are the most responsible for the social costs that result from gambling.<ref>http://www.casinowatch.org</ref>  This loss limit helps to reduce binge gambling because “many problem gamblers have binge activity extending over long hours. If casinos would have closing hours, (or loss limits) even if only for two to four hours an evening, such binge behavior could be temporarily stopped, and a problem gambler could be brought back to reality." <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/loss_limit/briefing_points.html</ref>  In fact, “removing loss limits at gambling establishments will lead to an increase in compulsive gambling and an [[escalation]] of the gambling by those individuals in the early throes of addiction." <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/loss_limit/lorenz_letter.html</ref>  

The $500 loss limit also significantly deters the use of casinos as a means for illegally laundering large sums of money.  “The federal government is currently expanding regulation necessary to limit [[money laundering]] by drug cartels and [[terrorist]] organizations. The federal government has found that existing federal regulation of, and reporting requirements for, casino transactions are not sufficient to limit or reduce money laundering and that additional regulation is needed. News reports indicate that terrorists were using casinos (including Missouri casinos) in the course of the recent terrorist attacks. Thus, in this climate, it is not a time to loosen the regulations on casinos but a time to -- as the federal government is doing -- consider additional money laundering regulations for casinos and other gambling enterprises.  An investigation by the United States General Accounting Office concluded, ‘As the amount of money wagered annually has increased, casinos may have become more vulnerable to individuals who attempt to launder their illegal profits in the fast-paced environment of casino gaming.’” <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/terrorists/money_laundering.html</ref>  A gambling loss limit provides the regulation necessary to prevent such harmful and illegal money laundering from organized crime syndicates and terrorists alike.

The $500 loss limit also significantly deters the use of casinos as a means for illegally laundering large sums of money.  “The federal government is currently expanding regulation necessary to limit [[money laundering]] by drug cartels and [[terrorist]] organizations. The federal government has found that existing federal regulation of, and reporting requirements for, casino transactions are not sufficient to limit or reduce money laundering and that additional regulation is needed. News reports indicate that terrorists were using casinos (including Missouri casinos) in the course of the recent terrorist attacks. Thus, in this climate, it is not a time to loosen the regulations on casinos but a time to -- as the federal government is doing -- consider additional money laundering regulations for casinos and other gambling enterprises.  An investigation by the United States General Accounting Office concluded, ‘As the amount of money wagered annually has increased, casinos may have become more vulnerable to individuals who attempt to launder their illegal profits in the fast-paced environment of casino gaming.’” <ref>http://www.casinowatch.org/terrorists/money_laundering.html</ref>  A gambling loss limit provides the regulation necessary to prevent such harmful and illegal money laundering from organized crime syndicates and terrorists alike.

== Countries banning gambling ==

== Countries banning gambling ==

[[Qatar]] is the world leader in banning gambling.  Other countries that ban or limit gambling include United Arab Emirates (gambling is limited or outlawed in most [[Islam]]ic countries), Brunei, Cambodia, North Korea, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Poland (government monopoly on it there).

[[Qatar]] is the world leader in banning gambling.  Other countries that ban or limit gambling include the United Arab Emirates (gambling is limited or outlawed in most [[Islam]]ic countries), Brunei, Cambodia, North Korea, Japan, Singapore, Cyprus, Lebanon, and Poland (government monopoly on it there).

==Gambling in fiction==

==Gambling in fiction==