There is an old gambling saying which states "Whoever invented gambling was smart, whoever invented chips was a genius." Chips divorce the gambler from the concept that they're actually betting real money. Likewise, voting is Steemit's version of chips. It is much more frictionless and mentally easier than making micro payments that actually deduct from your Steem balance.

I've always wondered about this. Gambling is illegal anywhere except for casinos where I come from. I wonder what about this platform? Lol.