I remember during the pandemic in our country OP where our former President, allowed the online gambling because it pays a huge tax that has helped in distribution for the aid of every citizen. But later on was stopped when so much addiction has happened already. And this on purpose of recovery is different because who they target are not their own people but the tourists, I think the same law is also being governed in Thailand where they are not allowing their citizens to gamble but only the tourists. Correct me if I am wrong but there are some countries that also does this because economically, it's good.
There is a country, I think Japan if I still remember correctly, that outrightly banned their citizens from gambling, I mean physical casinos are scattered all over the country in different locations but before you are allowed into any of this casinos, you have to prove that you are not a citizen of the country, this is the only way you can gain access into the Casino, and if paradventure, as a citizen of Japan you try to gain entry into the Casino to gamble, and you are caught, you just might end up doing some jail terms.
And i tried to find out the reason for this type of laws, and I learnt that the government simply wants to collect money from tourist, visitors in the country through gambling in other to use for developing the country more and giving her citizens a better life, and I was like, what's the essence? Does it really make sense to rob Peter to pay Paul? If as a president you know something isn't good for your people, why allow other people do it in the same country you head?
I am taking your word for it that Japan doesn't allow natives to gamble while it does to foreigners, and I'll tell you why. Because natives will remain in Japan, and if gambling fucks them up, those people will become burden to the society while the foreigners can come play, and leave — Japan has got nothing to do with 'em cause well, they gonna go back to their own country.
And I don't think, 'rob' is right word, people gamble by their choice.