Yes I dont judge you on that basis nor do I wish to sound holier than thou. It is a legal activity and its your money. There are people who have a social side around it and put a fiver on a horse over a cup of tea. I cant say they have a problem.
However and its a big however, gambling addiction problems have gone exponential. Where is the thin end of the wedge when talking about gambling? Many people do have a problem and there are methods of gambling designed to be highly addictive. Im talking in particular about online gambling, the FOBTs and new styles of fruit machines.
Smoking had a free pass for too long and drinking alcohol is a real problem in society. They are legalised drugs and gambling is actually one of them when people understand how the craving for escape and dopamine can fuel a gambling addict. Its much more complex but thats the general idea in that the money plays a lesser role in the mind control process. A devil and an angel above the shoulders is how popular culture tries to understand the brain.
Of course the tax raked in means the government have a vested interest in keeping it going. I have realised that people do need protecting so there is a line to be drawn somewhere and thats where the debate must start.
I dont advocate a nanny state in all areas. I just think there needs to be a greater realisation about the dangers of gambling and the misery it causes.
Personally I would heavily regulate it away from the high street and I would ban certain types of gambling.
Best wishes
Martin