Permissibility Of Gambling

For a country that values such things as productivity and control, we sure do love gambling. Now this may not mean we’re spending weekends in Las Vegas, but we love the idea of taking a big risk in order to receive the great reward. This is the simple high risk/high reward theory. For the sake of this paper, we’re looking at gambling in the sense of risking money in a chance of receiving more of it, and attempting to find clarity in the question: Is gambling moral permissible? In this paper, I will be defending the moral permissibility of gambling. I will first take an overview of gambling and what the opponents often say about it. Then I will argue from the idea of gambling being Mala Prohibita and finally argue that gambling is moral based on the government’s actions.

Critics of gambling aren’t longing for arguments in their favor. They point out the small percentage that become addicted to the act and fall down the slippery slope. It begins as a hobby, but it soon turns into a lifestyle. Relationships are broken, families scattered, and lives ruined. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, “2 million (1%) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in a given year.” To just simply ignore this would be, well, ignorant. However, I don’t think you should use the minority to judge the majority. Yes, 2 million is a large number; however, a vast majority either doesn’t gamble or are able to control themselves when doing so. Furthermore, you can’t say the act of gambling is immoral based off the minority’s problems with it.

The first argument for the morality of gambling is simply that, if considered a deviant behavior, can only be categorized as Mala Prohibita. This is the idea that...

... middle of paper ...

...ty issues, also favor a laissez-faire business model. This means they want the government staying out of business and therefore they would hate knowing the government could take away such a large, moneymaking, job-providing industry. And as for Democrats, they typically are seen as more laissez-faire in morality issues. They typically feel it is up to each person to decide what they feel is moral and therefore would never pass legislation banning something on the basis of the act being immoral.

In conclusion, gambling is not an issue that can be summed up in a few words. It’s hotly debated each and every day and numerous trials have been held on Capitol Hill in discussions over the morality of it. In looking at the debate from two different viewpoints, I hope I have given you more to think about and have shown the argument in defense of the morality of gambling.