@Ludji

Actually I probably know more about gambling than you do. I ran a horse racing book at school. I played cards for a living for a year when I was 19, and I helped a friend to set up a casino in the West End of London. Also, I made money playing Blackjack in Casinos before they changed the rules. I've also promoted on-line casinos.

Now lets look at alcohol. Excessive alcohol or alcohol dependence is bad - there is no question about that. Is alcohol in moderation bad? well I don't believe that it is. What is bad is cheap alcohol, and this is because of the impurities in it. It is far better to educate people in the enjoyment of the taste of quality alcoholic drinks, and to wean them off the pursuit of escape through the effects of alcohol. Much the same applies to gambling. It is far better to address the causes of destructive behaviour, than to try to ban it, and force it underground.

With reference to banks - how many people research the banks exposure to toxic debt and derivatives, or understand the risks of bail-ins, Their choice of bank is a gamble based on the bank's advertising in most cases.