Poll : 10 February - 23 February 2010

Analysis

We don't usually venture into politics, but with the numerous debates all over the nation about the expansion -- or otherwise -- of gambling, this seemed like a timely survey to conduct, following Deke Castleman's QoD on the subject. Not surprisingly, we got a great response -- the usual thanks to all who took part, particularly those of you who took the time to expand on your feelings surrounding this subject. Here's some of the feedback we received:

• "Years ago, the Federal government blackmailed all the states to raise the drinking age to 21, or they would withhold highway funds. When I grew up in North Carolina, the age for beer and wine was 18, and 21 for hard liquor. When I moved to New York after high school, it was 18 for all alcohol. Either make a determination that 18 is the age of majority, or…"
• "Oh, please. There cannot be a logical arguement for lowering the gambling age, other than casino profit. How many under 21s have their heads on straight enough to comprehend the risks, let along are sufficiently capitalized? I'm glad I didn't start 'til I was well into adulthood, or I might be panhandling downtown by now."
• "We have brought our son to Vegas six times. He will be 20 in May. He has a, 'been there, done that' attitude. All that's left is for him to gamble. He can already do that in our home state -- I think Las Vegas waited too long!"
• "After much consideration, I can only say that I believe there should be ONE age of majority for everything. Say 20, to give a little. It seems ridiculous to be old enough to gamble your life on the battlefield and not old enough to gamble legally or drink alcoholic beverages. Eighteen seems too young, though. A person is just out of high school and has not had much time to be a 'grownup.'"
• "I think that if a person is considered old enought to vote, pay taxes, and to go fight in stupid wars, then by all means they should be considered old enough to drink, smoke, or gamble. I find bitter irony in the fact that an 18 year old can go off to get shot and possibly die in Iraq, but can't legally drink a beer or lose his combat pay in a slot machine."
• "I know 2 teenagers who smoke and suspect they do it because they feel it's hip to break a law. If they were allowed to do, it I don' t think they would. Hopefully the same is true with 18 year olds and drinking/gambling - when the challenge is gone, the thrill will be gone."
• "I voted to keep the gambling age at 21, not because I think that 18 year olds shouldn’t gamble, but for more selfish reasons: Lowering the gambling age opens a Pandora’s box re the drinking age, and I already think there are more than enough drunk obnoxious 21 year olds running around Vegas without adding thousands of teens fresh out of high school thinking that the 'free' booze at the tables and machines is really free!"
• "The problem with lowering the gambling age is not the lowering itself, it's that you'd realistically have to lower the drinking age as well, or else either lose the right to serve alcohol on the gaming floor (never going to happen) or cause such headaches and complications in attempting to limit alcohol consumption that it would cause more trouble than it helps. The reason I feel this will law will never actually get changed is pretty simple, howerver: There is very little incentive for the casinos to have 18-20 year olds gamble. This is a demographic without much money and little incentive to gamble. Sure, there'd be some spoiled children of wealthy high rollers that could gamble earlier, but all-in-all, it wouldn't add a whole lot to the gambling bottom line (in my opinion). Anyone who doubts this should go to an 18+ tribal casino and see young kids wait over the 5-dollar-mininum tables until a seat opens, so they can wager their 20 dollar limit. I don't think Vegas wants any part of that crowd. All that being said, the 21 age restriction is ridiculous and needs to go away. (All this is coming from someone who illegally gambled at 18 with a fake ID, in places including Vegas.)"
• "It should remain at 21 for all, unless you have an active military ID."
• "I voted for '18 because you're an adult' - that was the closest to my answer. But I think the age for all the vices should be 19: at least keep it out of the high schools. Kids should still be legally adults when they're 18, though, so they can sign employment contracts and open checking accounts when they graduate."
• "I agree that at 18 one should be able to gamble and I have been to several tribal casinos that permit this. However, these establishments do not serve alcohol in the casino. With the drinking age of 21 it would be a nightmare for the cocktail waitresses to card everyone that requested a drink. With that said, my vote will have to be leaving the gambling age at 21. Thanks for your great work, can’t wait to get to Vegas to start using the best MRB since I have been a member." [Ed: Thanks! Glad you like it.]