Being told "professional poker doesn't contribute to society."

[AsydRayne]

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The distinction is that entertainment for the players would still be in poker without the pros, probably even more of it. OTOH, without athletes there is no sports for others to watch, without actors there are no movies for others to watch, etc.

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I still don't see the difference between poker pros and other pro sports. Without poker pros, there is no poker to watch on television. Sure the online player doesn't show up on TV, but there are lots of professional athletes that aren't in the top tier and never make it on television either.

I don't think poker pros contribute to society in terms of tangible goods, but I don't think pro athletes do either.

If we are defining entertainment as a contribution, which I think is debatable, then you have to include poker pros in with the rest of the professionals.