We
are being treated to a battle right now that some would have you
believe is based on actual differences, even though the reality
is nothing more that wording (combined with stupidity).
(Wait…
hold on… sorry. This is becoming a massive battle involving millions
upon millions of dollars and LOTS of lawyers turning in receipts
for billable hours. They’ll likely never see this article, but
better to be safe. In my opinion, and heck I’m just a harmless
writer with an opinion not worth billing hours to explore, this
situation is really stupid.)
People
spend money to register. Money they can lose.
People
play the game. A game they hope will allow them to win money.
End
of discussion.
It
is just that simple. You can win money. You can lose money. Gambling.
(That
was easy.)
Places
like FanDuel and DraftKings don’t seem to think it’s that simple
though. At least, not on the record, as it pertains to their business
interests. At least, not as New York joins in a mounting push
against these companies that offer contests… fantasy sports… fun…
excitement… bragging rights… call it what you will, as long as
you don’t call it wagering, gambling or any other potentially
illegal classification in conversations with representatives from
these companies (or their attorneys).
There
is no debate here. It’s gambling. Amazingly though, leave it to
the trail of money to make something out of simplicity.
Let’s approach just one aspect of the defense FanDuel and DraftKings
have been using: calling it a game of skill.
See,
gambling… in their concept of the world… is a game of chance.
Scratch tickets. Powerball. Gambling is such that players have
no control in determining the outcome.
They
seem to support the notion that doing research, selecting players
wisely, and so on makes things like what FanDuel and DraftKings
offers games of skill. And they claim that’s not gambling.
Because…
you know… Blackjack isn’t gambling.
Sure.
Blackjack.
Do
your research on the subject. Experts will tell you there is a
monumental difference in thinking of it as a quest to come as
close as possible to 21 and the reality of it. When you learn
about doubling down, pat hands, insurance, surrender, and all
of the other options along with developing sound playing strategy,
you find that treating blackjack as a game of skill suddenly creates
an opportunity to significantly narrow the house advantage. In
fact, depending on the rules and situation involved… if surrender
is available, if a single-deck game can be found, if you are capable
of card recognition, if the rotation of the planet slows… some
studies show blackjack can be brought to even odds and possibly
ever so slightly to the player’s favor.
This
isn’t an article about blackjack strategy, odds and studies though.
It is about average players versus those that learn to play a
so called perfect game. After all, perfection requires skill.
There
exists a possibility of examining hundreds of scenarios, dozens
upon dozens of terms, and thousands of lawyer hours investigating
those scenarios and terms. We don’t need to lead you along that
path right now.
It’s
just as simple as it was when we began this adventure. It’s just
as simple as it will be after hours of investigations and antics
in court. It’s gambling.
I’m
not saying that gambling is wrong. Nor am I saying that it shouldn’t
be allowed. Instead, I’m just laughing. Because the legal wrangling
would have you believe these yellow, waddling, quacking games
aren’t ducks.
Funny
though… because if you think the common, average player has a
chance to win hundreds of thousands of dollars playing, then you
might actually be ready to hear about a bridge that’s up for sale.
(Buy some property. I know a guy. It would be a better investment
of your money.)