It similarly struck me as strange that many US states decide gambling should be illegal because it's a vice, or because it's taking advantage of people, but then turn around and give themselves a monopoly on offering it. And in some places, like New York, they advertise it very heavily - TV ads, billboards in the subway and on bus stations, quirky upbeat characters and themes ... But still, it's a bad thing and thus illegal for private companies to offer. So weird.