Questions on the legality and social acceptance of poker gameplay in Kazakhstan? Consider advocating for its legitimization from hidden economic activities to open public events.
Revised Article:
Joining the ongoing dialogue between journalist IA "NewTimes.kz" and the proprietor of an Almaty poker club advocating for poker's legalization in Kazakhstan.
- In the current scenario, poker remains prohibited in Kazakhstan, except for designated zones in Borovoe and Kapchagay. Your thoughts on this matter?
*This is a total sham. In civilized societies worldwide, poker is viewed as a game of strategy and intellectual prowess.
Detractors of legalization contend that the government is merely concerned about citizens battling gambling addictions. I find this irrelevant, seeing as we already have gambling dens, betting shops, and casinos in approved zones.
If an individual can't resist the urge to gamble their money away, they'll find a way regardless of the legality. It's better that they do so in a legitimate setting.*
- Could the ban be due to the sheer sums a person can squander in a single evening's play? One round of poker, and they could lose their vehicle, living quarters, or financial safety net.
In a typical betting shop, an individual could rationalize their life away within just a few hours. Poker, on the other hand, provides a chance to win.
- Under those conditions, should gambling be outlawed entirely in Kazakhstan, given its detrimental impact on lives?
This stance borders on sensationalism. Essentially, we're discussing the extent to which the state is responsible for its citizens' choices. Families are also destroyed due to factors like divorce, alcoholism, and substance abuse, which yield psychological trauma to children. Should the state therefore outlaw these practices too?
Let's dive into the topic of personal responsibility in life. When engaging in poker, one doesn't cause harm, break the law, or endanger others. One merely risks losing money, an associated risk with any enterprise.
In Kazakhstan, there are countless financial Pyramid schemes where people pour their entire budget into one night and lose their apartment instantly. In poker, at least, there's a potential to win.
*Poker is not a deceitful game. It's a contest of skill. If played smartly, one will earn profits. Poor performance results in losses. That's fair.
- Who tends to indulge in poker the most? Is there a typical player profile?
Virtually everyone participates in poker, ranging from drug addicts, party enthusiasts, and corporate executives to families in debt, hardworking individuals, advertising professionals, and frequent attendees who rely on poker as a source of income.
The motivations for playing poker are varied. Winning significant amounts attracts players, while losing substantial sums drives them to recover their losses.
- Can we categorize these players as gambling addicts or individuals with an extreme propensity for gambling?
Yes, they can. However, I don't believe this is necessarily a negative trait. Addiction, per se, isn't inherently harmful. The harm lies in its consequences.
- When experiencing an irrational state, aren't even skilled poker players susceptible to unwise decisions, given the emotional nature of the game?
Indeed, poker players often refer to such a state as "tilt." It indicates the player is losing focus and making irrational choices, usually when down in chips. People tell them, "Why keep playing, you're just wasting more!" but they retort, "I'm on tilt."
You explain your erratic decisions by attributing them to mental fatigue. This happens to everyone, albeit to varying degrees.
- Have you ever experienced tilt yourself?
Yes, I have.
- And how much did you lose in those moments of mental instability?
In those instances, I lost around 1.2 million tenge, but I managed to control myself and keep playing. It would have been a massive loss elsewhere.
- How large are the losses incurred by other players at your venue?
Once, there was a player who invested 10 million tenge and lost almost 6.5 million. That's the largest I've seen. But he ended up being unable to pay, and I had to compensate the winners.
Running a poker club entails witnessing the suffering and humiliation of individuals, particularly at night's end. This scenario is non-existent in countries where poker is legal, like Georgia, where players can leave anytime they wish.
- Is it fair to assert that losing millions of tenge or even dollars does not lead to any illicit activities? This claim seems doubtful.
In settings where I've played with individuals twice my age, high-ranking figures with respectable reputations, losing big doesn't trigger any criminal activities. Beating up an elderly, well-off gentleman over a monetary loss carries significant reputational risks for the establishment owner and demands substantial resources to intimidate such an individual.
Moreover, no one would extend astronomical loans to someone without trust. I've had players on my platform who were close to the Kazakh government. They could lose 100-150 thousand dollars in a casino, but I'd earn 20-50 thousand a month from them. In fact, they often drove up in cars with license plates 777, signifying their wealth. While they might not pay immediately, they'd eventually settle the debt.
*On the flip side, there are heart-wrenching stories, like that of a player from an affluent family. He was in his forties, married with kids. Over time, he began losing consistently at poker and eventually squandered 290 thousand dollars in a month and a half. He was forced to sell his land, property, and give up his business. This narrative underscores the potential pitfalls of gambling.
So, did poker ruin this man's life?
Life can be ravaged by numerous factors. Despite the risks associated with gambling, I know many heartbreaking stories from casinos, betting shops, alcohol, or drugs. Yes, there's addiction, losses, debts, and pressure, but these problems aren't exclusive to poker.
What's essential is to evaluate the risks and keep addiction under control.
- It's interesting to explore the differences between casino-and-gambling trends in Kazakhstan and other civilized societies. In many places, casino-games like poker are seen as a test of strategy and skill, unlike illegal gambling activities.
- Responsible-gambling is a key factor in discussions regarding the legalization of poker in Kazakhstan. While the government may express concern about gambling addictions, it's important to note that these issues exist in other forms of gambling as well.
- Poker is not a deceitful game; it's a contest of skill. Poker players, even those who may be prone to gambling, can make unwise decisions when experiencing "tilt," a term used to describe mental fatigue and irrational play. However, it's crucial to encourage responsible-gambling and manage such tendencies to minimize losses.
