NCJ Number
18437
Date Published
Unknown
Length
41 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE PREVALENT FORMS OF GAMBLING, GIVES THE PROS AND CONS OF LEGALIZED GAMBLING AND CONCLUDES IN FAVOR OF DECRIMINALIZATION.
Abstract
THE TYPES OF GAMBLING THAT ARE DESCRIBED ARE LOTTERIES, NUMBERS, BINGO, RACE TRACK AND OFF-TRACK BETTING, AND LEGALIZED GAMBLING IN NEVADA AND ENGLAND. THE ARGUMENTS FOR LEGALIZED GAMBLING INCLUDE THE FACT THAT EVERYONE GAMBLES, THE UNENFORCABILITY OF THE LAWS, AND THE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL REVENUE. ARGUMENTS AGAINST ARE THAT GAMBLING IS EVIL OF ITSELF, IT IS AN INVITATION FOR ORGANIZED CRIME TO STEP IN AND IT MIGHT LEAD TO THE 'THROWING' OF SPORTS EVENTS ON WHICH LARGE SUMS ARE WAGERED. THE AUTHOR BASES HIS CONCLUSIONS IN FAVOR OF LEGALIZATION ON THE REPUTATION OF THE 'CONS' AND ON THE THEORETICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LAW AND CULTURE.