The gamblor in the FAI Remove please

[JCVD1]

I'm asking please to remove that gambling device.

I am presently struggling with deep depression and I've had problems with gambling addiction over the years. It's not something I am proud of.

I've recently burned 600k gp in the gamblor on a bad day and it makes one just feel more miserable.

Unless there is a great uproar against the proposition... Could it be removed?

[Lockonnow]

how about you get ban from the place you did't behave you cast a round with you gold and hit one so he get hurt you re dispose from the Gamblor

[Rhifox]

If it causes legitimate issues for people with IRL gambling problems, yeah, I agree with removing it.

[Lockonnow]

I cant see the point if he cant inter

[cosmic ray]

Gambling services is a very immoral thing to offer in real life, which is sadly legal in many places. There should be no reason for it not to be roleplayed, but providing game mechanics for gambling crosses a line, I agree, especially by making sure that people with this sort of problem cannot completely get away from the opportunity to gamble, even if it's only imaginary money, in a game that has nothing to do with gambling.

TL;DR: roleplaying gambling is fine, but providing it as a game mechanic is not. I agree with the OP. Please remove this.

[Lockonnow]

no he will get a toke that is program that he cant inter and he can't drop it from inventory on til DM do it for him he didt RP he's wizard to get down use 600k to gamblor

[Lockonnow]

I found it odd it is not a real gold he lost it is not a RL on this server it is only RL time he have lost so why bothing this server it is self a gamlor if you lose you item you get it back if the dm wish to help I wish about to head down in the The gamblor

[ajcolt]

................redacted

[ajcolt]

I just checked it out myself, I don't think it really adds anything to roleplay or the setting at large. Wagering 10,000 at 50 to 1 could lose you a lot of gold in a hurry.

[c2k]

Could always have it check the account name and prevent you from using the gamblor

[zhazz]

To be quite honest, I agree with removing it.

Consider removing the gambling option from the priestess in the Temple of Tymora as well then. Her guess a number dialogue would mechanically allow for a form of gambling as well.

Do keep the playing card tables, however. Those only have a use with two or more players after all.

[Planehopper]

That seems a little ridiculous and overkill, isnt it? The issue is with the high odds and big bets of the slot machine thing.

Let's not act like this is a morality thing. We kill people with swords. We worship gods of death and destruction. Summon literal demons. Cut the heart from our enemies and eat it. Take heads of chiefs. There are bodies swinging from a noose.

Removing a high stakes machine that makes gambling high risk and high loss is one thing. Let's not get carried away and remove the tools of dogma and immersion.

[magicbus]

To be quite honest, I agree with removing it.

Gambling on a PG 13 server kinda outright defies our own server rules to me. In Canada, it's banned in schools for a reason. We all acknowledge that children can, will, and are playing this game, so I'm not 100% comfortable with the idea that it's an open and out there system for them. I could go into a long winded speech about the morality of setting kids up for gambling or whatever but I won't since I assume most people understand why that is a bad thing.


Just so you know, we have taken notice of the thread and are discussing it. This thread will remain open as a platform for those who wish to continue the discussion.

Murdering, stealing etc are allowed in Canada? Because these also happen on BGTSCC, a PG 13 server...

[Xorena]

Justifying the existence of the gamblor by saying murdering and stealing are OK in the setting misses the broader picture.

Addiction behaviors require a reward recognized by the brain, which causes continued behavior to get the reward (TLDR our brains are jerks). A quick Google Scholar search shows there are copious research papers regarding the neurobiology of addiction and gambling.

Let's apply this to the game.

You drink in game, your brain doesn't recognize this as a reward.

You do drugs in game, that doesn't give your brain the incentive to continue.

If you gamble in game, this does create a real chemical response in your brain that it recognizes as a reward. The behavior continues. I found some research that virtual gambling can be more addictive than in-person gambling.

This is why companies are spending millions of dollars to convince states to allow online sports betting and other gambling. They know gambling is addictive and they all want some of that sweet, sweet revenue.

Whether BGTSCC allows the gamblor to remain or not is a choice.

If using the gamblor is a solo activity then it's not really enhancing RP among players. If there is no real RP value to the gamblor (I did not know it existed) then I suggest it be removed.

The compassionate thing to do is realize a player -- a real person -- is suffering because of this mechanic and consider ways to mitigate that suffering.

In the U.S.: The National Council on Problem Gambling Helpline offers a confidential, 24-hour helpline for problem gamblers or their family members at 1-800-522-4700.

[DM Bloodvine]

Personal opinion and not that of the DM Team

My thoughts are somewhat similar to Xorena's

There is an important distinction between challenging fictional themes and a direct access to stimulus. Themes of violence and theft in a video game have been shown through research to not predispose you to be more violent in real life (Or at least very minor). This is not the same with gambling, vast quantities of research have shown that there is a distinct link here. Gambling mechanics are the same in the game on a neurobiological level as they are as being in a casino or online betting site.

That aside, the real question here is the benefit vs the cost. The presence of gambling with an NPC or other static object adds very little to the RP of the server and I can think of dozens of ways to involve things like probability, chance, gaming, and friendly bets that don't involve the automatic chance-based response that could cause addictive behavior.