Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Yikes, a casino? That sounds like a really bad thing for the community. I thought casinos need special permissions to operate and should not be too easily accessible by the “vulnerable”.


No, casinos are not necessarily bad for a community, you’re mistaken. Ohio legalized casinos in major cities and they aren’t bad (whether they’re successful or not is another matter).

And idk what you’re referring to regarding “vulnerable”? Vulnerable to addiction? Alcohol is addictive and bars are legal. Casinos are still heavily regulated, but beyond that people are allowed to make their own decisions and gamble if they wish.


They are certainly bad for the part of the community who have issues with addiction. As is alcohol and bars. I am not convinced that the misery that these people experience is offset by anything positive provided by casinos or bars.


There always have been and always will be casinos and bars. The only question is whether they will be allowed to operate openly with proper regulation, or be forced underground and run by criminals.


The people who are the primary denizens of hole in the wall casinos are all gambling addicts. The same people who were illegal gambling in the "internet cafes".


> And idk what you’re referring to regarding “vulnerable”?

Not OP but worked in the industry and enjoying a casino visit once in a while: People left so far behind by society that they see their only hope of escaping poverty in gambling. Or people with issues (poverty, domestic violence, PTSD, ...) who don't have access to other outlets for their frustrations. Lotteries and gambling are called "taxes on the poor and stupid" for a reason!

> Vulnerable to addiction? Alcohol is addictive and bars are legal.

Yes, but you usually can't drink away your life savings in one night out (expensive whisky, wine and strip club champagne aside). You'll pass out before being able to spend more than 200$ in most bars. With gambling, it's scary how fast you can win and especially lose a lot of money - I watched someone at a roulette wheel winning 35k $ in one round (bet a grand on a single number), and lose that and more the next ten minutes.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: