Gambling is it Right or Wrong?
Gambling --Is it Right or Wrong
Gambling has been around forever, and I am sure it has always been a controversial issue. History and ethnography show us that, across societies of the past and present, gambling varies considerably with respect to its organization, social meanings, and how it is regarded in moral terms. (Binde,2005). Since the time when the guards for Jesus cast lots for his clothes, when Las Vegas was built and now today with the availability of online gambling, this issue has caused concern and had its supporters and opponents. While done responsibly, gambling can be a fun and sometimes rewarding activity. On the other hand it can be a huge problem for some. Gambling is very addictive and can lead to many problems for those who become addicted. People have been known to empty their bank accounts, lose their homes, destroy relationships, and even turn to crime, because of gambling. In this paper I will explore the many types of gambling, both sides of the ethical problems of gambling and how it affects us, and how classical theory can be applied to solve those problems. I will also show how relativism applies to the problem and how I feel about the matter myself. There are many types of gambling that occur daily. These include the lottery, horse and dog racing, sports betting, bingo, casino gambling, and the newest and most popular online gambling. There also people that gamble with their friends, and probably many underground betting places and options. There are billions of dollars bet in the United States every year and this number continues to grow. There is even more money exchanged worldwide. Casinos are no longer just restricted to Las Vegas. They are popping up all over the country in many states. There are casinos built on Indian reservations, some on boats in the water near coastlines, at least one on every cruise ship, and that is just in the United States. I live close to the
Gambling has been around forever, and I am sure it has always been a controversial issue. History and ethnography show us that, across societies of the past and present, gambling varies considerably with respect to its organization, social meanings, and how it is regarded in moral terms. (Binde,2005). Since the time when the guards for Jesus cast lots for his clothes, when Las Vegas was built and now today with the availability of online gambling, this issue has caused concern and had its supporters and opponents. While done responsibly, gambling can be a fun and sometimes rewarding activity. On the other hand it can be a huge problem for some. Gambling is very addictive and can lead to many problems for those who become addicted. People have been known to empty their bank accounts, lose their homes, destroy relationships, and even turn to crime, because of gambling. In this paper I will explore the many types of gambling, both sides of the ethical problems of gambling and how it affects us, and how classical theory can be applied to solve those problems. I will also show how relativism applies to the problem and how I feel about the matter myself. There are many types of gambling that occur daily. These include the lottery, horse and dog racing, sports betting, bingo, casino gambling, and the newest and most popular online gambling. There also people that gamble with their friends, and probably many underground betting places and options. There are billions of dollars bet in the United States every year and this number continues to grow. There is even more money exchanged worldwide. Casinos are no longer just restricted to Las Vegas. They are popping up all over the country in many states. There are casinos built on Indian reservations, some on boats in the water near coastlines, at least one on every cruise ship, and that is just in the United States. I live close to the
References: Anderson, Kirby (2005) Gambling-A Christian Perspective, Kirby Anderson. Probe Ministries Journal Binde, P. (2005). Gambling, exchange systems, and moralities. Journal of Gambling Studies, 21(4), 445-79. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10899-005-5558-2 Mosser, K. (2010). Introduction to ethics and social responsibility. San Diego, Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Oddo, A. R. (1997). The economics and ethics of casino gambling. Review Of Business, 18(3), 4.