‘We shouldn’t legalise online casino games, because it detracts from concert and sporting event ticket sales.’

I’ve been sorting through some of the articles debating the legalisation of the online casino and happened upon this creative if spurious argument. Never have I read something that made me snort harder; is this serious?

Arguing for the criminalisation of one industry because it could adversely affect another in the same field – entertainment – is ridiculous at best and a violation of the spirit of the law at worst; you don’t need a reason to make something legal, you need a reason to make it illegal. And anti-competitive behaviour is not only a bad reason, it’s against the law.

People who play casino games will do so regardless of whether or not Rihanna is playing at the O2; similarly, people who love football are going to go to the match in spite of the fact that Cleopatra Slots are waiting for them at home. Have you ever been turned down for a drink at the pub because your friend wanted to stay home with their favourite no deposit casino?

Online games are simply another way of accessing an entertainment activity that should be treated on an equal basis with other activities. Like any industry it has its issues – problem gambling exists, but then so does alcohol addiction and lung cancer. In 2009 there were 8,664 alcohol-related deaths and in 2008 there were 35,261 deaths from lung cancer. Arguably gambling is less inherently destructive than either of those industries.

There are many legitimate concerns when it comes to the legalisation of online gambling. This isn’t one of them.