Mr. Rutsey, you say that gambling is gambling. But in my opinion, what gambling is, is dreaming. It seems that the dream is particularly strong when you are poor. We know that gambling has economic benefits. That's fine. But have you assessed the social costs of gambling, in terms of suicide, poverty and people receiving social assistance, that the government has to cover? The rate of suicides attributable to gambling is rising sharply. Have you assessed the social costs of gambling?
On February 7th, 2008. See this statement in context.