Is the standard gambling age suitable?
Poll
 | 8 votes (26.66%) | ||
| | 19 votes (63.33%) | ||
| No votes (0%) | |||
| | 5 votes (16.66%) | ||
| | 1 vote (3.33%) |
30 members have voted
In my state, 18 is the legal age to gamble. I haven't seen too many negative repercussions from it, but there are certainly some other college students that really shouldn't be there because of financial considerations and a lack of knowledge on basic strategy.
What are your thoughts? I'm certainly biased and believe it should be 18, but I see both sides.
I'm all for kids rights. Some kids are smarter and more reasonable than adults.Quote: MintyHi everyone! I've been reading this forum for a few years now as additional material to some of the blackjack books available. Actually one of the more important things about turning 21 to me was joining this site as a member instead of a long time lurker. I was curious as to what everyone thinks about it being so common for the legal gambling age to be 21. I know there's been brief exchanges about this before, but I haven't seen a thread about it.
In my state, 18 is the legal age to gamble. I haven't seen too many negative repercussions from it, but there are certainly some other college students that really shouldn't be there because of financial considerations and a lack of knowledge on basic strategy.
What are your thoughts? I'm certainly biased and believe it should be 18, but I see both sides.
But morally I think its foolish. They don't need more bad things to deal with. I can't think of one good reason for it. I don't buy the argument that they can die for our country but not gamble and drink. They are doing both anyways.
Perhaps a special cruise or something with limited access would be ok, but 24/7 access to casinos isn't something good.
An 18 year old knowing basic strategy is dangerous, even more dangerous knowing about counting cards. The reality and odds of a successful career is very very slim.
so there's really no reason someone 18 needs gambling in their life. If they are truly talented enough they will know it and find a way to exploit their talents.
If I knew a kid was underage gambling, I wouldn't say anything or care. I was doing it before I was 21 myself.
The brain, while maturing, may be uniquely susceptible to potentially addictive stimuli (like alcohol, nicotine, gambling, crack, meth...).
On the one hand, I'm pro-rights, and if 10 year olds want to shoot dice, go for it. On the other hand, I know how tricky it is to break an addiction, and protecting people is important.
However, that pesky third hand says that the age of majority is 18, and that's what the standard should be - for recreational drugs, gambling, being able to rent a car, etc.
I guess that means that if 10 year olds want to shoot dice, it's got to be Yahtzee. (or Farkle.)
Quote: DieterFor many people, the brain's pathways are not finished forming until about age 25.
The brain, while maturing, may be uniquely susceptible to potentially addictive stimuli (like alcohol, nicotine, gambling, crack, meth...).
On the one hand, I'm pro-rights, and if 10 year olds want to shoot dice, go for it. On the other hand, I know how tricky it is to break an addiction, and protecting people is important.
However, that pesky third hand says that the age of majority is 18, and that's what the standard should be - for recreational drugs, gambling, being able to rent a car, etc.
I guess that means that if 10 year olds want to shoot dice, it's got to be Yahtzee. (or Farkle.)
I have played Farkel (old spelling) way before it became "cool"; i've played it since I was ten (~25 years now). I learned it from my cousin, who ironically considering your post, has had drug issues, mainly with cocaine. :-\
Quote: MintyHi everyone! I've been reading this forum for a few years now as additional material to some of the blackjack books available. Actually one of the more important things about turning 21 to me was joining this site as a member instead of a long time lurker. I was curious as to what everyone thinks about it being so common for the legal gambling age to be 21. I know there's been brief exchanges about this before, but I haven't seen a thread about it.
In my state, 18 is the legal age to gamble. I haven't seen too many negative repercussions from it, but there are certainly some other college students that really shouldn't be there because of financial considerations and a lack of knowledge on basic strategy.
What are your thoughts? I'm certainly biased and believe it should be 18, but I see both sides.
Welcome, Minty.
The rule stating that you had to be 21 to join this forum is one of those rules that were made to be broken. When a few members revealed that they were not yet of that age, the rule was never enforced.
I don't think our young people get enough credit these days, especially from the "old guard." Today's 18 year old is wiser, smarter and more responsible than their predecessors, in the humble opinion of this old guy. I'm all for our 18 year old adults being allowed to make the choice to gamble.
What scares the heck out of the casinos is alcohol consumption. If an 18 year old is bent on partaking, no ID, wristband or anything else will prevent them from doing so.
The gambling age in the State of Rhode Island, for example, is 18 while the drinking age is 21. That may be part of the reason that Twin River Casino does not comp alcoholic beverages.
But because of the free-flowing alcohol, most casinos have a minimum age of 21. If you look at the signs, usually they say 21 to enter. It doesn't say 21 to gamble.
I'm 27 and still don't see any practical reason to have a distinction between 18 and 21. I hate to repeat the standard line, but if you can vote, join the military, and go to big boy prison, you should at least be able to drink, gamble, and take a toke.
Quote: 1BBI don't think our young people get enough credit these days, especially from the "old guard." Today's 18 year old is wiser, smarter and more responsible than their predecessors, in the humble opinion of this old guy.
1BB, would you mind elaborating on this point? There is a lot of mudslinging going on right now about Millennials and their lazi, self-entitled attitude, blah blah blah. While technically I am a Millennial, I am far removed from the age of 18. However, I'm not sure I would agree with you that today's 18 year olds are smarter and more responsible than those from previous generations.
Mostly I'm curious what has lead you to that conclusion. Not that I'm asking you to cite detailed examples, but just a few anecdotes or generalities would be fine :).
Quote: AcesAndEights1BB, would you mind elaborating on this point? There is a lot of mudslinging going on right now about Millennials and their lazi, self-entitled attitude, blah blah blah. While technically I am a Millennial, I am far removed from the age of 18. However, I'm not sure I would agree with you that today's 18 year olds are smarter and more responsible than those from previous generations.
Mostly I'm curious what has lead you to that conclusion. Not that I'm asking you to cite detailed examples, but just a few anecdotes or generalities would be fine :).
The Flynn Effect.
Quote: OzzyOsbourneThe poll percentages add up to 108%. It used to be 109 though, so its getting closer!
Alright if there a tie vote, that percentage gets counted twice. I fixed it by letting everyone know I'm a bigot.
Quote: OzzyOsbourneThe poll percentages add up to 108%. It used to be 109 though, so its getting closer!
It's a checkbox poll, so each member can select as many options as they want.
The percentage indicates how many forum members checked that specific box. Each could be 100% if everyone checked each box.
I'd say that the intelligence curve amongst the the younger generation has flattened somewhat and superficially shifted to the right-- in terms of factual knowledge, there's far more resources out there. However, they have to have the ability to utilize it, and those that use it have to be able to apply it. Before, you could be said to have a talent for mechanics if you could disassemble and reassemble an engine. Now, that talent could be synthesized by looking it up beforehand, something that would've been far more difficult before (and could be considered another skill too). People who can take the knowledge available and have the ability and drive to employ it drive up the right end of the curve.
Quote: MintyIt's great hearing everyone's opinions, and refreshing to hear about support for younger people. One of the things I really enjoy about this forum is how diverse it is in terms of age, political belief, religious affiliation and an assortment of other things. About us being more intelligent... I've heard that it isn't so much that we know more, but rather we're taught more about what we need to know for an IQ test. I'm curious as to why many casinos in Vegas have begun IDing as frequently as they have. Have there been issues with many underage gamblers in recent years or was it an arbitrary decision?
This came up in a recent discussion I had with a dealer regarding an expired driver's license. I've been under the impression an expired driver's license is valid ID, but not for the purposes of driving. She said, at CET at least, it's unacceptable, and they've been cracking down on it since there were about a dozen incidents last year that they caught. The casino, dealer, and floor manager (?) all get fined, so the staff also have incentive to check. (The numbers mentioned were 1000$ and 500$, though a 1k fine to the casino seems a bit low.)
Quote: MintyIt's great hearing everyone's opinions, and refreshing to hear about support for younger people. One of the things I really enjoy about this forum is how diverse it is in terms of age, political belief, religious affiliation and an assortment of other things. About us being more intelligent... I've heard that it isn't so much that we know more, but rather we're taught more about what we need to know for an IQ test. I'm curious as to why many casinos in Vegas have begun IDing as frequently as they have. Have there been issues with many underage gamblers in recent years or was it an arbitrary decision?
Harrah's was more aggressive about this (checking ID's) last week than any time I've ever seen. I asked, and they said an underage person stopped to watch a game at one of their properties recently. For about 2 minutes. Didn't try to play. Just watched. The fine was $70,000.
Quote: zoobrewWith todays internet and ability to access info almost anywhere, todays 18 year olds definitely have the "ability" to be smarter than prior generations. Whether they use this info wisely and/or responsibly is debatable and up to each individual.
That's wiser, not smarter.
Wisdom is the ability to use a known solution to a problem; intelligence is the ability to discover a new solution.
Quote: DieterThat's wiser, not smarter.
Wisdom is the ability to use a known solution to a problem; intelligence is the ability to discover a new solution.
"Intelligence tells you that tomatoes are a fruit. Wisdom tells you not to add it to a fruit salad."
Quote: beachbumbabsHarrah's was more aggressive about this (checking ID's) last week than any time I've ever seen. I asked, and they said an underage person stopped to watch a game at one of their properties recently. For about 2 minutes. Didn't try to play. Just watched. The fine was $70,000.
Holy cow. Do you know what property/what state this happened in? $70,000 for an underage patron who wasn't even a patron. Damn.
Quote: Venthus"Intelligence tells you that tomatoes are a fruit. Wisdom tells you not to add it to a fruit salad."
Really? Tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers should make a lovely fruit salad. ;)
Quote: DieterReally? Tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers should make a lovely fruit salad. ;)
Quote: beachbumbabsHarrah's was more aggressive about this (checking ID's) last week than any time I've ever seen. I asked, and they said an underage person stopped to watch a game at one of their properties recently. For about 2 minutes. Didn't try to play. Just watched. The fine was $70,000.
$70k for watching? LOL
I get carded more in Tunica/Vegas now than I did in 2011. Particularly Tunica. I probably get carded 5 times a trip, up from 1. Horseshoe Tunica gives security pocket ID scanners now.
to gamble, that's why the average age in a Vegas
casino is 47. I think I read it's 53 in Indian casinos.
They're the ones with the money to gamble with.
