We have a fascination with gambling, but for some, it is also seen as both shady and dangerous. As a result, activists try to ban it, for public health reasons and on the grounds of morality. The promise of potential winnings are evil, they say.

But what are the consequences of making gambling illegal, and what are the economic benefits of legalising activities such as sports betting and games of chance?

In this episode we take a closer look at gambling. Also in this episode: plain packaging is becoming popular in public health advocacy. Is all marketing inherently predatory? And: the fun police is even coming after your pool rental. There seems to be no stopping them.

Act 1:  Rolling the dice

Act 2: You're so plain

Act 3: Outsourcing the fun police

Released on December 6, 2023

More resources of the Fun Police campaign: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/fun-police/

Check out the weekly podcast ConsEUmer: https://consumerchoicecenter.org/conseumer/

Check out Consumer Choice Podcast (formerly Consumer Choice Radio): https://consumerchoicecenter.org/radio/

Fun Police is a Consumer Choice Center original podcast. This episode was written and researched by Bill Wirtz. Contributing research by Elizabeth Hicks and Emil Panzaru. Editing by Yaël Ossowski and Bill Wirtz.

We have a fascination with gambling, but for some, it is also seen as both shady and dangerous. As a result, activists try to ban it, for public health reasons and on the grounds of morality. The promise of potential winnings are evil, they say.
But what are the consequences of making gambling illegal, and what are the economic benefits of legalising activities such as sports betting and games of chance?
In this episode we take a closer look at gambling. Also in this episode: plain packaging is becoming popular in public health advocacy. Is all marketing inherently predatory? And: the fun police is even coming after your pool rental. There seems to be no stopping them.
Act 1:  Rolling the dice
Act 2: You're so plain
Act 3: Outsourcing the fun police
Released on December 6, 2023
More resources of the Fun Police campaign: <a href="https://consumerchoicecenter.org/fun-police/">https://consumerchoicecenter.org/fun-police/</a>
Check out the weekly podcast ConsEUmer: <a href="https://consumerchoicecenter.org/conseumer/">https://consumerchoicecenter.org/conseumer/</a>
Check out Consumer Choice Podcast (formerly Consumer Choice Radio): <a href="https://consumerchoicecenter.org/radio/">https://consumerchoicecenter.org/radio/</a>
Fun Police is a Consumer Choice Center original podcast. This episode was written and researched by Bill Wirtz. Contributing research by Elizabeth Hicks and Emil Panzaru. Editing by Yaël Ossowski and Bill Wirtz.

Fun Police is an original podcast series produced by the Consumer Choice Center. We take a look at the perpetrators of neo-prohibitionism, the movement that attempts to ban "vices" such as vaping, smoking, drinking, gambling, and others. We host high-level guests to discuss the history and current expression of prohibitionism.

Written and produced by Bill Wirtz.

New episodes dropping week by week, starting March 5, 2025.

Fun Police is an original podcast series produced by the Consumer Choice Center. We take a look at the perpetrators of neo-prohibitionism, the movement that attempts to ban "vices" such as vaping, smoking, drinking, gambling, and others. We host high-level guests to discuss the history and current expression of prohibitionism.
Written and produced by Bill Wirtz.
New episodes dropping week by week, starting March 5, 2025.