[Richas]

Gambling addicts are addicts. They will lose all their money whether you outlaw it or not. The families are not helped by a ban - quite the reverse as it is legal you can force the industry to be socially respnsible, to allow self exclusion, self set deposit limits, to stop minors playing etc etc.

Look at it this way - is the gambling addict better off dealing with a legitimate business or having their gambling run by the mob, quite happy to loan with your legs as security?

PS the UK Gambling Commission prevalence survey that shows that even though gambling is now more accessible and Internet gambling has boomed there are no more problem gamblers in the UK is important evidence for why legalisation and increased availability does not harm more people.