Gambling

[John Dibble]

I support people's right to make their own bad decisions.

[John Dibble]

It can also raise crime rates, though.

That's true, but I think proper zoning could help keep increases minimal.

[John Dibble]

Option 1, though anyone who gambles as a way of making money is a fool.

If you just simply enjoy gambling, that's fine, but in the long run you are guaranteed to lose money.

Not true. Believe it or not, there's people who gamble for a living(though they are a rarity). These people are pros too, they know how to gamble and win consistently. Also, even infrequent gamblers can make money in the long run if they know how. So, while possible to lose money in the long run, it's no gaurantee.

[John Dibble]

Option 1, though anyone who gambles as a way of making money is a fool.

If you just simply enjoy gambling, that's fine, but in the long run you are guaranteed to lose money.

Not true. Believe it or not, there's people who gamble for a living(though they are a rarity). These people are pros too, they know how to gamble and win consistently. Also, even infrequent gamblers can make money in the long run if they know how. So, while possible to lose money in the long run, it's no gaurantee.

There are people who play Poker for money. If you know the best way to play and find people who don't and are willing to play you for largish sums, you'll usually gain money. There is a risk of losing, but if that qualifies as gambling then so does any business venture.

Exactly - life is all about gambling. Every time you decide to do one thing rather than another, you are taking a chance that you will make more(in money, enjoyment, or other form of gain) than you would by making a different decision. If you never take chances, you'll never get anywhere - but you can often make more by gauging the odds wisely.

[John Dibble]

The stock market is a gamble - but like any gamble a good gambler will profit from it. If you just willy nilly invest in random companies, you will likely fail, but if you look at companies carefully before you invest in them you will likely make a profit.