[rtempaccount1]

Ultimately the end of any pyramid scheme is a large number of people losing money , often money they can't afford to lose.

It doesn't seem likely to be in the interests of most governments to actively encourage straight Ponzi schemes as when the people at the bottom of the pyramid lose their money, they may end up requiring state assistance, transferring the risk to taxpayers.

[leetcrew]

sounds a lot like regular old gambling. most will lose, but a few will win through luck or skill. if it's clear up front that the expected value is negative, I don't really see a reason to ban it. most forms of entertainment involve losing money.

[rtempaccount1]

The people who "win" at Pyramid schemes aren't (IMO OFC) winning through luck, they're winning by being the people that set them up.

And in the US and many other countries gambling is regulated, so that the games have certain parameters and the risks are known, can't see that being applied to pyramid schemes.