Facebook ventures into online gambling

I think you making the assumption that the only people that would gamble are addicts.. Or that gambling causes gambling addiction. Theres nothing to suggest either.

Plenty of people drink, most arent alcoholics. Plenty of people take precription drugs, most arent addictded to them.

I think this is a move to capture an area of a market thats been growing, despite being shunned. Better still if its more sociably acceptable, we can only hope that those who do develop addictions feel as though they are able to seek help without fear of suffering social punishment due to the stigma associated

I don't think it's an inappropriate market. it's an opportunity for game developers to recapture the strength of the Facebook api - connect and actually make some cash using the Facebook platform. Keep in mind that gambling has existed on Facebook already, just the players could never win spendable cash. The mechanics compared to social games remain much the same, with the exception of there being external regulators watching to ensure that players aren't unfairly exploited

Given Facebook was originally intended for university age people, able to make a decision to fight, kill and die for their beliefs and country. I would argue such an environment is where one would expect to find people capable of making a judgment call over weather or notto place a bet.

If your argumentis that Facebook is a technology company and should not be involved in gambling then you are flat out wrong. Innovation should be followed where ever it emerges, otherwise companies will falter and die and we as a human society will miss out on great things. Not to say that gambling is an amazing piece of innovation although I am Sure there where some technical achievements in producing bingo frendzy, who should be the moral compass on what is a global network. If as a planet we can't even keep a clear line on what is statutory , on weather homosexuality is fine or a criminal offence, on of we should teach children about safe sex

It seems your stance against Facebook allowing play for real cash has little to do with the technology, and everything to do with a perception that gambling = bad. Please correct me if I am wrong

Which really is a shame to see on HN. I'd expect to see arguments pro or against based on the merits of what Facebook can deliver, on the demographics of the Facebook market, alternatives... Heck, how if in any way this alters the zynga play book.

I turn the question to you, where would an appropriate place for such games be?