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

[traxamillion]

For the vast majority of people work is not a means to contribute to society; it is a way to make money. Do people become defense lawyers because they want to contribute to justice and the protection of the people? Obviously not (even though they might be doing this) they want to make a buck.

[Torello]

The professional gambler occupation is nearly unique in being completely unproductive in the broad economic sense.

What matters is the next philosophical question of whether that's actually important to you. It doesn't matter to me.

[calmasahinducow]

You create jobs for poker dealers

[stinkypete]

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Good point.

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not really. redistributing wealth from individuals to the government doesn't qualify as contributing imo.

the point that plenty of other occupations don't contribute is valid, but that doesn't make being a poker player any "better" imo.

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It is contributing to society... just in a less efficient manner.

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explain?

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The government builds roads, free healthcare for the poor, etc. It's not effecient but some of my tax dollars actually do go towards helping other people. The rest go to bombing people in other societies, but that's okay because the bombs help them live better lives, in freedom!

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when you consider taxes and spending habits and the velocity of money yadda yadda economic efficiency blah blah social stability poopoop it just comes down to an economic argument, but the bottom line is that you're doing nothing to increase society's total wealth. you consume without producing. you're a leech on society.

the effect you achieve by paying "extra" tax (and i put it in quotes because it could be that more tax would be paid if the money was spent in some other way) is basically an effective increase of the tax rate. it doesn't "contribute" in any way.

if it bothers you that you're not able to explain how you contribute, you should find another profession, because you don't contribute.

[Jamougha]

Nope, we don't contribute a damn thing. We just take what we want, 'cuz we can.

I think it's kinda neat.

[shnk]

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I didn't sign the social contract.

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[warrantofice]

Well i think this whole idea that poker pro do not contribute to society is a little bit silly. I mean think about the idea. Casino's offer games of chance against the casino. These games are stacked in their favour. People play these games. Casino's offers games of chance that are played against other players, game offers chance but also skill. The game is partially weighted towards the casino. People play these games. Casino offers that are complete chance so they earn money 24/7. Pro Poker players play poker 24/7 to earn money. Pro Players and Casino's are both considered legal entities. Only poker players grapple with their legitimacy within society.
Some people tried to argue that only a poker player can truly ask the question, "what do I contribute to society" Or atleast not come up with a good answer...could they also " if i didn't do this- somebody else would"
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I mean "It's immoral to let a sucker keep his money. "

[Tien]

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when you consider taxes and spending habits and the velocity of money yadda yadda economic efficiency blah blah social stability poopoop it just comes down to an economic argument, but the bottom line is that you're doing nothing to increase society's total wealth. you consume without producing. you're a leech on society.

the effect you achieve by paying "extra" tax (and i put it in quotes because it could be that more tax would be paid if the money was spent in some other way) is basically an effective increase of the tax rate. it doesn't "contribute" in any way.

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I think you just dodged the entire statement.


If Lyric makes 200 000$ a year paying poker and paid 100 000$ last year in taxes, that 100 000$ he paid in taxes is money the US government would have never seen ever again if he or some other pro didn't win the money.

That 100 000$ was used to pay for 3 police officer's salaries.

Without these online poker "professionals" paying taxes, all that online money would never return to the United States ever again.

This argument about contribution is old and really really subjective to argue.


But really, 99.99% of the people working aren't doing it to "contribute" to society, they are merely working jobs so that they can make money and feed their kids.

It's human nature you have a problem about if you are arguing over "contribution". How many people out there would quit working their 9-5 "contributing" jobs if they suddenly were given the skill to make 150-200K a year playing poker?

Humans are greedy animals and "contribution to society" is often times at the bottom of the priority list when it comes to making money.

[Lyric]

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I think playing poker and doing nothing but use the money on yourself contributes nothing (although it puts money back in the economy when you spend it)

However, I think when you get to a level where you make enough money to invest a decent amount of it or donate it you are contributing as much as anybody else. I think as long as a very low percentage of the population tries to play professional poker it is not that harmful to society overall.

If you go to a casino every day, win or lose money, buy nothing but a few things for yourself here and there aside from essentials, you would be contributing nothing.

But if that's contributing nothing to society, what's the difference when you talk about actors or musicians? Isn't that close to the same as a poker player who for instance makes a lot of TV final tables?

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If you are on TV you're an entertainer like an actor. What if you just sit at home all day playing on the interwebnets?

[Tien]

If you can consider playing poker a job.

I don't.