Did the football pools almost destroy society?

Ninety years ago Liverpool's family Moore launched the concept of football pools in the U.K. At first it was seen as low risk fun, but soon enough groups began to see a more sinister side to this form of gambling.

In the 20th century a technological explosion took place in the world with the development of television, radio and computers which enabled mass participation in the football pools.

Although the negative impact of football pool participation was down played by promoters, however left wing politicians were not so complacent about the innocence of this increasingly popular pastime. 

Interestingly enough when the lottery was introduced in the 1990's most politicians saw it as a positive development with positive social consequences. The national lottery has overshadowed the football pools, nevertheless more than 1/2 million people in the U.K. participate in the football pools each week.

Opinion:

Football pools is no different than any other form of gambling including the National Lottery. Casinos and betting on horse races are also legal in the U.K, so it would seem hypocritical to ban football pools. Maybe betting is a natural outcome of our competitive society, but maybe it goes even further back to the pre industrial society, in either case it seems like making rules to prohibit it will not really solve the problem. Although I don't consider gambling a benevolent pastime, I do think that football pools are a natural consequence of the football frenzied society which the U.K. seems to be.