Will Outlawing Poker Protect Children?
One of the biggest arguments that is used for the supposed morally corrupting nature of poker is that it can have a dangerous effect on children. The moral arbitrators who bring up this position point to the fact that we protect our children from our other “vices”, so we should also protect them from poker. While there is something to be said to only allow players with sufficient money management skills and mental development to play, a straight out ban on poker will not necessarily protect children. After all, when has outlawing something ever prevented children from wanting to do it?
A far better response for these moral commentators would be to point out the possible benefits of a poker nation, such as self control, money management, and critical thinking skills. We would be a much better informed nation if we all used some poker skills in our everyday life. No one is saying that we should put cards in the hands of children and ask them to gamble. Real cash games should only be open to competent adults who have their own money to spend. However, a casual and fun poker game with your children will not morally corrupt them. In fact, it may even help them.
