I understand. However - and I say this as a non-gambler, who believes the Everett casino is a stupid moneysink and that gambling institutions are generally shitty and even morally bankrupt to a degree - I think the reason lots of people are downvoting your comments is because a relative minority of Greater Boston Area residents with safe money have a significant amount of sway over policing fun people are allowed to have. Bars are limited. Venues have to be big, safe, family focused or corporate run affairs. Nothing is allowed to run past ten unless the Sox are about to win something huge. Compared to sports betting, all of these could be construed as worse vices but all of them are also essential for the vibrant culture many residents want to have and participate in.

All of it is a product of NIMBYism, centered in wealthier areas like Newton, Brookline, etc but the worst vices imaginable are well and alive in this city, and are undiminished by this cultural clampdown on fun.

Compared to the bigger problems this city and its surrounding boroughs like to ignore - even going so far as to intentionally block the reconstruction of vital infrastructure, like the bridge to Long Island - sports betting is nothing.