How to Define Gambling – Key Points
When asked how to define gambling, many people struggle with the exact definition. This is why we have prepared a designated blog post to put all gambling-related rumours and uncertainties to rest. One common myth that gambling always leads to addiction will also be proven false. Keep reading to receive all the knowledge on the concept of gambling you will ever need.
In this informative blog post on the definition of gambling, we will get a few things straight. First, we will define both the legal and dictionary definition of gambling. After that, we will discuss the new era that has come with the rise of online casinos. Addiction and responsible gambling practices will also be discussed throughout this post. So, let’s get started.
What is the Definition of Gambling?
According to the explanation from the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the correct gambling definition is – “the practice or activity of risking money or other stakes in a game or bet”. What must be added to that definition is that the risk is conscious with all gambling practices, and the player is aware that there is a chance of loss.
Another very specific trait of all gambling instances is that the game’s outcome must be defined by chance alone. If there are tricks you can keep up your sleeve that will help you win, then we cannot consider such events gambling. A good example is poker, which many consider being a gambling product. However, due to different strategies and psychological approaches players use to skew the chances in their favour, poker is regarded as a sport.
A good example of gambling is the tossing of dice, where chance and luck are the only powers that influence the outcome. Logically, roulette is also a gambling product since the results are very much dependent on luck. Other popular gambling games at the best online casinos are blackjack, craps, bingo, baccarat, slots, etc.
Another key characteristic of gambling is that no preliminary preparation is needed to succeed in a game, unlike every sport out there. At most games, you need to practice a lot before becoming a pro, whereas, with gambling, you only need luck in your corner to triumph.
The Legal Definition of Gambling
The politically correct gambling definition is “staking something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the intent of winning something else of value”. For an event to be considered gambling, three elements must be in place – consideration, risk, and a prize. The outcome which follows is almost always instant, even though longer time frames are also present on some occasions.
The New Era of Online Gambling
With the rise of the online casino industry, the field of gambling was changed forever. In the last 20+ years, it has been effortless to bet your money on sports or play a good game of roulette, poker and blackjack. All of that is just a quick click away, and you can even gamble on the go from your mobile phone or tablet.
A fairly recent development in the field of online gambling have been the live dealer online casinos, which will bring you the real casino atmosphere from the comfort of your home. This happens through real croupiers in a casino setting, which are broadcasted live to a group of players at new casinos in the UK, for example. Players can place their bets directly via the online platform.
History of Gambling
Gambling is not a newly developed hobby, and people have gambled in different ways since the Paleolithic era, even before history was written. Of course, when we talk about gambling in this period, it is not in the conventional sense of visiting a casino, but it was rather based on astragalomancy – a form of divination, which uses dice with letters or numbers. Another ancient form of gambling, which originated in China, was betting on the outcome of various animal fights.
How Can We Define Gambling Addiction?
Unfortunately, gambling can be dangerous for some people. Once a player gets out of control and starts gambling compulsively with more and more money, a gambling addiction is present. With modern technologies, which have made gambling more accessible than ever, countless people find it difficult to control their innate urge to gamble. Among the symptoms that define gambling addiction are:
- Inability to Control Your Impulses to Gamble
- Secret Gambling
- Spending More and More Money in Casinos
- Violent Behaviours
- Denying the Problem
If we were to define pathological gambling, it would be a “hidden illness” that destroys many lives. The first step in one’s recovery process is acknowledging the problem. The next step is to seek help. Many non-profit organisations aim to provide quality help for troubled gamblers, and we have dedicated the next section of our review to them.
The Importance of Responsibility in Gambling Practices
Once we can define problem gambling, we can move on to outline the responsible gambling practices players should follow. At the very core of the idea of responsible gambling is to use it for fun and entertainment purposes only. As soon as someone starts gambling as an income source, problems may arise. Another recommended practice is to take breaks between gambling sessions and practice control over the time spent in a casino.
There are numerous organisations, which aim to raise awareness on the horrors of gambling addiction and some of them include Gamblers Anonymous and Gambling Therapy. Both offer individual psychological help to troubled gamblers as well as form support groups where players with similar problems can help each other down the hard road of recovery.
How Do We Define Illegal Gambling?
To define illegal gambling is quite straightforward. Gambling is considered illegal if you are based in a country/state where set gambling activities are prohibited by law. The legal gambling age differs across places but is usually around 18 years of age. Therefore, everyone below 18, who is caught engaging in gambling activities will be penalised.
Numerous authorities make sure the casinos are operating legally, and the games are fair for all players. One such organisation is the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, which is responsible for licensing most of the online casinos in the UK.
FAQ
This last section of our blog post on gambling definitions will provide detailed answers to a few questions that readers are commonly asking. If you have missed out on something throughout this article, now is the best chance to catch up.
