## Vitalik Buterin Addresses Ethereum’s Stance on the Casino Industry
On February 20th, Vitalik Buterin participated in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, where he tackled the important question of whether Ethereum should engage with the casino industry. Some critics have voiced concerns that Ethereum isn’t doing enough to support blockchain casinos. In response, Buterin stated that he would consider leaving the crypto space if such a “moral reversal” were to take place, emphasizing that the concept of a crypto casino contradicts his core beliefs. “Perhaps the most disappointing thing for me recently,” Buterin remarked, “was when someone claimed that Ethereum is bad and intolerant because we don’t sufficiently respect the ‘casinos’ on the blockchain, while other chains are more open to any application, making them seem better.”
This discussion arises at a pivotal moment for the Ethereum Foundation. Buterin has proposed a stance of neutrality regarding the application layer, offering only limited support for select projects. Financial considerations have dominated many conversations surrounding the Foundation. A purely neutral approach at the application layer could lead to an increase in gambling activities. Conversely, a more measured approach would enable the Ethereum Foundation to maintain its ethical standards while making thoughtful and prudent financial decisions.
Buterin expressed his disappointment during online meetings, noting a tendency to overly focus on topics like crypto gambling. However, he acknowledged that when he interacts with people face-to-face, they often share similar moral concerns about casinos rather than focusing solely on financial implications. By addressing online casinos, Buterin may also be indirectly critiquing other tokens, such as Solana, which have embraced meme coins without restraint. Additionally, he could be taking aim at other so-called ‘Ethereum killer’ tokens.
From this perspective, the ‘ethical approach’ might be seen as a reaction to the challenges Ethereum has faced, especially as its price has struggled compared to other tokens. This situation coincides with the Ethereum Foundation’s shift in funding strategy, responding to community feedback that it should prioritize funding decentralized finance (DeFi) projects rather than simply selling Ethereum tokens. In response to this request, the Foundation has allocated 45,000 ETH, valued at approximately $120 million, to support DeFi solutions, including platforms like Compound. The community has expressed its agreement with these proposed measures.
