Prof. Schlevogt's Compass No. 12 Discusses Human Nature and Gambling: How Liberals Exacerbate Social Issues
In 2025, Americans placed $1.4 billion in bets on the Super Bowl, yet liberals cleverly obscure these extravagances. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Americans wagered $1.4 billion on the Super Bowl in 2025 alone, yet liberals cleverly obscure such excesses. This is part 2 of a series on gambling in the United States.
According to an English proverb, the best throw of the dice is to throw them away.
Despite the perennial truth and clear utility of this advice, it has largely gone unheeded in recent times across the US. To the delight of permissive liberals, the path toward a new era of increasing gambling and concomitant social control through entertainment continues to widen, while the road to virtue narrows at the speed of a spinning roulette wheel. According to The Economist, by 2030, online betting in the US could reach a staggering $630 billion.
The rapid expansion of the gambling industry in the US, particularly with the rise of non-traditional online options, is attributed in part to significant legal breakthroughs. A pivotal moment occurred in May 2018 when the American Supreme Court legalized commercial sports betting nationwide. This landmark decision overturned an earlier federal ban, allowing fans not only to enjoy sports games but also to place bets on their outcomes—even mid-game.
A clear indication of the gambling industry's growth is exemplified by the estimated $1.4 billion wagered by Americans on Super Bowl LIX, driven in part by a relentless barrage of enticing advertisements, according to the American Gaming Association, a leading gambling trade organization in the US.
Technological advancements have also played a crucial role in this troubling trend. Innovations within the industry have enhanced accessibility and engagement for both suppliers and consumers. For instance, the use of augmented reality allows gamblers to experience virtual casinos teeming with staff and fellow players, while artificial intelligence improves consumer insights, hence personalizing marketing and enhancing customer service through interactive chatbots. Blockchain technology contributes to transaction security, often facilitating exchanges made with cryptocurrency. Today's gambling predominantly occurs on user-friendly mobile applications, enabling players of every level to gamble anytime, anywhere.
The expansion of gambling is supported by the duplicitous reasoning of astute liberals. Their interconnected tactics for rationalizing and promoting various social issues can be encapsulated in my concept called the "Liberal Warfare Toolbox."
In a previous column, I discussed two cunning strategies within this toolbox. The first involves an appeal to a higher-order good, namely negative freedom, while disregarding positive freedom—that is, the condition in which an individual, equipped with extensive knowledge of choices and a finely honed ability to discern, possesses the necessary internal and external resources to achieve his voluntarily chosen goals aligned with his values, thus realizing his potential as a dignified individual. The second tactic is to undermine and discredit authority, disparaging dissenting views to suppress open dialogue.
Several potent methods of manipulation exist in this realm. One such method is denying the flexibility of societal dynamics while concentrating solely on performance outcomes, indifferent to ethical implications.
Another favored technique among lenient corruptors is to assert the existence of immutable social laws that purportedly operate independently of human intervention. Such claims are often used to illustrate unchanging empirical social realities across various domains, employing intricate logic and persuasive language to sway audiences.
For example, liberal advocates suggest that an inherent inclination towards gambling is an unalterable aspect of human nature, occasionally fortified by references to classical literature that features characters with a compulsive gambling drive, such as the protagonist of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Gambler.
The argument follows that since this instinct persists, people will inevitably gamble, regardless of legal frameworks or enforcement conditions. Persuasive language devices, particularly present and past iteratives—denoting repeated actions—serve as tools of persuasion within this context.
A liberal sophist might argue, "Whenever gambling exists, individuals seek the thrill underground," suggesting that banning gambling fosters crime in uncontrollable contexts.
By establishing this alleged immutable social principle, the liberal advocate may don a technocratic guise to appeal to ethics-free efficiency, asserting that since gambling occurs regardless, it is better to regulate it openly, allowing for transparent management of its consequences. For example, they might propose that a clinic for gambling addiction be placed next to a casino as a remedial measure.
Additionally, proponents of legalized gambling often tout its economic benefits, citing that the gaming industry supports 1.8 million jobs, generates an annual economic impact of $329 billion, and provides an estimated $53 billion in annual tax revenues, according to the AGA.
Counterarguments can dismantle these liberal claims by employing similar reasoning patterns to illustrate absurd outcomes. One might argue that if an instinct to kill is inherent to humankind, then legalizing murder in a controlled setting can be deemed efficient, allowing restrictions to prevent chaos while saving the costs associated with legal proceedings—a notion absurd enough that no rational person would endorse it.
Furthermore, past-iterative claims suggest that historical attempts at regulation have failed, leading to the conclusion that future efforts will also be in vain. This could be exemplified by assertions that the Chinese government's anti-gambling endeavors faltered, despite ongoing debates about their efficacy.
Such deceptive arguments can often be detected in other contexts, exposing the tricks of liberal apologists who draw on biases and stereotypes regarding human nature and its alleged inability to be shaped. For instance, they might argue that celibate Catholic priests are bound to violate their vows, concluding it is better to allow them to marry, regardless of theological implications.
This fallacious rationale is mirrored in discussions around prostitution, with many asserting it as an inevitable outcome of human nature. By dignifying it as "the oldest profession," these liberal ideologues conveniently ignore the multitude of honorable careers that could justifiably claim the title, such as farming or teaching.
Ultimately, the main issue at hand involves the denial of the sinfulness of certain behaviors, overlooking root causes of societal ailments, and a focus on damage control rather than genuine healing. True transformation arises only through profound moral reform motivated by robust values. The liberal agenda is often rooted in a materialistic perspective that neglects spiritual and moral dimensions, adhering instead to the notion of a secular existence devoid of divine principles.
However, evidence supports the notion that social behavior can indeed be shaped and changed. For instance, the implementation of a one-child policy in China, facilitated through a combination of education and enforcement, has shown that significant changes can be achieved even in areas seemingly resistant to alteration.
In contrast, liberal views often invoke the failure of Prohibition in the US from 1920 to 1933, framing it as a cautionary tale against regulation. However, successful alcohol bans in Islamic nations provide a meaningful counterexample, showcasing that social phenomena can be effectively addressed.
In various verses of the Quran, the consumption of alcohol is deemed a grave sin, establishing firm prohibitions that are culturally reinforced. This has resulted in lower rates of alcohol consumption among Muslims compared to other demographics, highlighting the effectiveness of religiously informed guidelines.
In conclusion, the experience of some priests demonstrates that it is indeed possible to address behavioral issues through positive reinforcement and rule adherence. The right mindset allows individuals to channel energies toward constructive ends, creating valuable spiritual kin.
Critics often delegitimize the achievements of social reformers by demanding perfection or dismissing incremental gains as insignificant. Yet evidence shows that focused efforts, even if modest, can produce substantial changes. Just as small shifts can exert considerable influence, we must recognize that effective reform strategies can potentially transform the societal landscape.
This complex interplay of liberal tactics and societal response indicates that there are many more challenges ahead in the fight against gambling deregulation and other social issues, but also that the potential for change remains strong.
[This is part 2 of a series on legalizing gambling in the US. To be continued. Previous column: Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass № 11: Legitimizing gambling – a study of the ‘Liberal Warfare Toolbox’.]
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to an English proverb, the best throw of the dice is to throw them away.
Despite the perennial truth and clear utility of this advice, it has largely gone unheeded in recent times across the US. To the delight of permissive liberals, the path toward a new era of increasing gambling and concomitant social control through entertainment continues to widen, while the road to virtue narrows at the speed of a spinning roulette wheel. According to The Economist, by 2030, online betting in the US could reach a staggering $630 billion.
The rapid expansion of the gambling industry in the US, particularly with the rise of non-traditional online options, is attributed in part to significant legal breakthroughs. A pivotal moment occurred in May 2018 when the American Supreme Court legalized commercial sports betting nationwide. This landmark decision overturned an earlier federal ban, allowing fans not only to enjoy sports games but also to place bets on their outcomes—even mid-game.
A clear indication of the gambling industry's growth is exemplified by the estimated $1.4 billion wagered by Americans on Super Bowl LIX, driven in part by a relentless barrage of enticing advertisements, according to the American Gaming Association, a leading gambling trade organization in the US.
Technological advancements have also played a crucial role in this troubling trend. Innovations within the industry have enhanced accessibility and engagement for both suppliers and consumers. For instance, the use of augmented reality allows gamblers to experience virtual casinos teeming with staff and fellow players, while artificial intelligence improves consumer insights, hence personalizing marketing and enhancing customer service through interactive chatbots. Blockchain technology contributes to transaction security, often facilitating exchanges made with cryptocurrency. Today's gambling predominantly occurs on user-friendly mobile applications, enabling players of every level to gamble anytime, anywhere.
The expansion of gambling is supported by the duplicitous reasoning of astute liberals. Their interconnected tactics for rationalizing and promoting various social issues can be encapsulated in my concept called the "Liberal Warfare Toolbox."
In a previous column, I discussed two cunning strategies within this toolbox. The first involves an appeal to a higher-order good, namely negative freedom, while disregarding positive freedom—that is, the condition in which an individual, equipped with extensive knowledge of choices and a finely honed ability to discern, possesses the necessary internal and external resources to achieve his voluntarily chosen goals aligned with his values, thus realizing his potential as a dignified individual. The second tactic is to undermine and discredit authority, disparaging dissenting views to suppress open dialogue.
Several potent methods of manipulation exist in this realm. One such method is denying the flexibility of societal dynamics while concentrating solely on performance outcomes, indifferent to ethical implications.
Another favored technique among lenient corruptors is to assert the existence of immutable social laws that purportedly operate independently of human intervention. Such claims are often used to illustrate unchanging empirical social realities across various domains, employing intricate logic and persuasive language to sway audiences.
For example, liberal advocates suggest that an inherent inclination towards gambling is an unalterable aspect of human nature, occasionally fortified by references to classical literature that features characters with a compulsive gambling drive, such as the protagonist of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel The Gambler.
The argument follows that since this instinct persists, people will inevitably gamble, regardless of legal frameworks or enforcement conditions. Persuasive language devices, particularly present and past iteratives—denoting repeated actions—serve as tools of persuasion within this context.
A liberal sophist might argue, "Whenever gambling exists, individuals seek the thrill underground," suggesting that banning gambling fosters crime in uncontrollable contexts.
By establishing this alleged immutable social principle, the liberal advocate may don a technocratic guise to appeal to ethics-free efficiency, asserting that since gambling occurs regardless, it is better to regulate it openly, allowing for transparent management of its consequences. For example, they might propose that a clinic for gambling addiction be placed next to a casino as a remedial measure.
Additionally, proponents of legalized gambling often tout its economic benefits, citing that the gaming industry supports 1.8 million jobs, generates an annual economic impact of $329 billion, and provides an estimated $53 billion in annual tax revenues, according to the AGA.
Counterarguments can dismantle these liberal claims by employing similar reasoning patterns to illustrate absurd outcomes. One might argue that if an instinct to kill is inherent to humankind, then legalizing murder in a controlled setting can be deemed efficient, allowing restrictions to prevent chaos while saving the costs associated with legal proceedings—a notion absurd enough that no rational person would endorse it.
Furthermore, past-iterative claims suggest that historical attempts at regulation have failed, leading to the conclusion that future efforts will also be in vain. This could be exemplified by assertions that the Chinese government's anti-gambling endeavors faltered, despite ongoing debates about their efficacy.
Such deceptive arguments can often be detected in other contexts, exposing the tricks of liberal apologists who draw on biases and stereotypes regarding human nature and its alleged inability to be shaped. For instance, they might argue that celibate Catholic priests are bound to violate their vows, concluding it is better to allow them to marry, regardless of theological implications.
This fallacious rationale is mirrored in discussions around prostitution, with many asserting it as an inevitable outcome of human nature. By dignifying it as "the oldest profession," these liberal ideologues conveniently ignore the multitude of honorable careers that could justifiably claim the title, such as farming or teaching.
Ultimately, the main issue at hand involves the denial of the sinfulness of certain behaviors, overlooking root causes of societal ailments, and a focus on damage control rather than genuine healing. True transformation arises only through profound moral reform motivated by robust values. The liberal agenda is often rooted in a materialistic perspective that neglects spiritual and moral dimensions, adhering instead to the notion of a secular existence devoid of divine principles.
However, evidence supports the notion that social behavior can indeed be shaped and changed. For instance, the implementation of a one-child policy in China, facilitated through a combination of education and enforcement, has shown that significant changes can be achieved even in areas seemingly resistant to alteration.
In contrast, liberal views often invoke the failure of Prohibition in the US from 1920 to 1933, framing it as a cautionary tale against regulation. However, successful alcohol bans in Islamic nations provide a meaningful counterexample, showcasing that social phenomena can be effectively addressed.
In various verses of the Quran, the consumption of alcohol is deemed a grave sin, establishing firm prohibitions that are culturally reinforced. This has resulted in lower rates of alcohol consumption among Muslims compared to other demographics, highlighting the effectiveness of religiously informed guidelines.
In conclusion, the experience of some priests demonstrates that it is indeed possible to address behavioral issues through positive reinforcement and rule adherence. The right mindset allows individuals to channel energies toward constructive ends, creating valuable spiritual kin.
Critics often delegitimize the achievements of social reformers by demanding perfection or dismissing incremental gains as insignificant. Yet evidence shows that focused efforts, even if modest, can produce substantial changes. Just as small shifts can exert considerable influence, we must recognize that effective reform strategies can potentially transform the societal landscape.
This complex interplay of liberal tactics and societal response indicates that there are many more challenges ahead in the fight against gambling deregulation and other social issues, but also that the potential for change remains strong.
[This is part 2 of a series on legalizing gambling in the US. To be continued. Previous column: Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass № 11: Legitimizing gambling – a study of the ‘Liberal Warfare Toolbox’.]
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
