Re: cryptofrka's Merit Source application - let's improve the gambling boards
Regarding this - well, if there would be a merit source on the boards, people might be incentivized to open more interesting threads, with more content and maybe some interesting links in the OP - instead of just opening another 'what to do when losing' thread every few days.
It can't reduce spam, it can improve the quality though. Then increased quality brings more quality in the form of better replies etc. Gradually, it decreases the % of spam posts that have no value whatsoever. Well, hopefully at least.
One particular type of post / topic I could imagine to attract more Merit are community contests, like ⭐⚽⭐ Sportsbet's Bitcointalk Sports Fanatics League (BSFL) – 7000+$ rewards ⭐⚽⭐. It can't reduce spam, it can improve the quality though. Then increased quality brings more quality in the form of better replies etc. Gradually, it decreases the % of spam posts that have no value whatsoever. Well, hopefully at least.
Or creating prediction pools, where organizing a sponsor is part of the deal, like bringing a Signature Campaign into Bitcointalk. It's beneficial for everyone if it's a good deal. We still don't have any pools for sports like NFL, NBA or MLB, which could be interesting in my opinion (just as an idea).
Or mixed sports events like BSFL is arranged like.
We have so many betting sites here on Bitcointalk, so much potential to uncover. Sponsoring a prediction pool is probably much better used money than to pay for spam in a sigspam megathread.
Merit could cause a shift towards more of such incentives, where also more sponsors are involved.
People could share their strategies, dedicate more time to Gambling topics and (for self-moderated posts) remove spam as well.
There are many ideas and I'm sure a Merit source could be key to incentivice good ideas.
For example, I'm still completely baffled why I'm the one who gave the most Merit (4) to cryptofrka's and Trofo's ⭐⚽⭐ Sportsbet's Bitcointalk Sports Fanatics League (BSFL) – 7000+$ rewards ⭐⚽⭐. It's so much work to arrange it and keep it updated. This fact alone shows we need much more Merit (sources) to reward good Gambling topics.