Types Of Gambling

The personality gamblers — sometimes called antisocial gamblers — are different because they behave in illegal ways. These gamblers want to make large amounts of money gambling by any means necessary. Personality gamblers may lie, cheat, steal and deceive other players or people in charge to come out on top. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle-aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However, compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women.

1. Types Of Gambling Addictions
2. Different Types Of Gambling
3. Types Of Gambling Online
4. Types Of Gambling Pdf
5. Types Of Gambling In The Philippines

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One of my favorite ways to learn about a new subject is to look at the various subdivisions of that subject. For example, I’m writing a blog about gambling, so that leads me to wonder what the different types of gambling games are. If I were writing a blog about literature, I might look at how literature experts categorize that subject.

I’ll start by offering a definition of “gambling”, and I’ll follow that with a definition of “game”:

Gambling Definition

My favorite online dictionary, Merriam Webster, says that the word “gamble” has 2 definitions:

1. To play a game for money or property
2. To bet on an uncertain outcome

I saw an interesting discussion in the Wikipedia article about poker that relates to this, in fact. A well-meaning editor had removed the phrase “gambling game” from the page’s lede, claiming that poker was a game of skill, not chance, and therefore it wasn’t a gambling game.

But according to the definition from Merriam Webster, poker qualifies for sure. After all, you’re playing a game for money. And the outcome of an individual hand in poker is uncertain, even when the odds are in your favor.

The legal definition of gambling might be another matter. USLegal.com has a page about the legal definition of gambling, and it’s also illuminating:

The legal definition agrees that risking money on an uncertain outcome is gambling, but it seems to make an exception for something that’s not under a person’s control or influence. This leads me to believe that a bet on a sporting contest that you’re involved in wouldn’t constitute gambling–at least not in a legal sense. Playing a game of billiards, darts, or golf (just to name 3 examples) for $20 with your drinking buddy wouldn’t count.

That site also specifies that buying securities or commodities doesn’t constitute gambling, even though the future price of those securities or commodities might be uncertain. In fact, anything that would qualify as a “bona fide business transaction” would be considered “not gambling.”

That seems to be a reasonably complete coverage of the definition of the word gambling, at least for this post’s purpose.

Now what’s a game?

Game Definition

Merriam-Webster’s definition of “game” is lengthier than its definition of “gambling.” The main definition is simple enough, though:

A game is any activity you’re participating in for purposes of fun or diversion. The concept of competition is mentioned in one of the other definitions, too.

Types Of Gambling Addictions

In fact, “poker and other gambling games” is the 1st example of the word used in a sentence in that definition.

The Wikipedia defines a game as a “structured form of play.” The page goes on to list some key components of an activity that constitutes a game:

1. Goals
2. Rules
3. Challenge
4. Interaction

I think most of these components apply to almost any gambling activity you can think of.

What’s your goal playing a slot machine?

You try to get certain symbols lined up on a pay line.

Blackjack has specific rules about what values the playing cards have.

The challenge in any gambling game is to win more money than you lose.

And you’re interacting with someone or something every time you place a bet.

How Do You Categorize Gambling Games, Then?

I’m a simple man. I use simple strategies to find the information I want. To find categories of gambling games, I started with a Google search.

And one of the first pages I found included a great set of broad categories for gambling games:

1. Pure chance games
2. Mostly chance games
3. Mostly skill games

1- Games of Pure Chance

Gambling games consisting of pure chance include keno and roulette. No amount of skill gives you influence over the results of a keno draw or a spin of the roulette wheel.

2- Games of Mostly Chance

Craps is a game that’s mostly about chance. You need some skill at choosing the right bets, though. The odds change dramatically from the basics bets to the proposition bets. And some players believe in dice setting or dice control.

3- Games of Mostly Skill

Blackjack and poker are games of mostly skill. How you play your cards have a big role in determining your outcome. Card counters get an edge against the house. Skilled poker players also operate with a mathematical advantage.

But that’s not the only way to categorize gambling games.

The California Council of Problem Gambling lists the following types of gambling games:

1. Casino card games
2. Other card games
3. Dice games
4. Electronic games
5. Sports betting
6. Pitching quarters
7. Lottery games
8. Raffles
9. Bingo
10. Games of skill
11. Cultural games

I disagree with some of their categorizations, but here are some insights into each category:

4- Casino Card Games

Casino card games include games like blackjack and Texas holdem. I wouldn’t include traditional poker as as casino-style game, though. Poker games played against other players are dramatically different from games played in the casino proper.

Here’s why:

In a real poker game, you’re competing with the other players for money. In a casino card game, you’re competing with the house for money. If you lose a hand of blackjack, the casino wins your money. If you lose a hand of poker, the other player at the table wins your money.

The house does bank some poker games, though. Caribbean Stud, for example, is a game you play in a casino versus the dealer. The actions of the other players at the table have no effect on your outcome.

5- Other Card Games

The California Council on Problem Gambling’s page lists some of the following card games as examples of “other” card games:

1. Hearts
2. Rummy
3. Spades

I’d agree with their categorization, but I’d include all poker games played against other players in this category instead of the “casino card games” category.

6- Dice Games

Any gambling game using dice to determine outcomes qualifies. Craps is the obvious example. Sic Bo is another, less well-known example. You could even gamble on Yahtzee if you wanted to.

7- Electronic Games

The site lists the following games as examples:

• Online keno
• Internet poker
• Web-based slots

It seems as if the California problem gambling site considers any game played on the internet to be an “electronic gambling game,” and I get that. I’d probably include slot machines and video poker games played in brick and mortar casinos, though. That would also include the less common games, video blackjack and video roulette.

8- Sports Betting

This is where you bet on the outcome of a sporting event that you’re not participating in. Place a bet on a baseball or football game, and you’re a sports bettor.

Sports betting is one of the more legally suspect gambling activities on this list. The Wire Act is a federal law that prohibits the running of a sports betting operation over the phone. For purposes of the law, this includes placing bets over the internet.

But the law only applies to the party taking the action. Placing the bet isn’t a crime. Taking the bet is.

Companies (or individuals) who take sports bets as a business are called “sports books.” They’re also sometimes just called “books” or “bookies.”

You can bet on sports with multiple offshore companies, even if you live in the United States. The companies accepting those bets can get in a lot of trouble if they get caught. You’re pretty safe, legally, though.

Different Types Of Gambling

Betting on sports can be one of the most profitable betting games for the skilled bettor.

9- Pitching Quarters

They don’t have to be quarters. In fact, the Wikipedia article calls it “pitching pennies.” The concept is the same, though:

You throw a coin at the wall. So do your competitors. The person whose coin lands closest to the wall wins the coins.

It’s an ancient game. I’ve never thought of it when I wrote about lists of gambling games before, though.

I doubt there’s a lot of action in the quarter pitching market segment anymore. I do remember seeing The Purple Rose of Cairo, and Danny Aiello’s character was pitching pennies in that movie.

10- Lottery Games

Lotteries have become ubiquitous in the United States. I think only 2 or 3 states have no lottery at the time of this writing.

Even when lotteries weren’t commonplace, private individuals ran lottery style games. These are the gangsters you hear about in the movies who are “running numbers.”

A number running game might work like this:

You pick 3 numbers between 0 and 9. The next day, the last 3 digits of the Dow Jones Industrial Average determine the winner. The individual running the numbers keeps a cut, of course.

But probably not as big a cut as the states who are running the lotteries keep. The mathematical expectation for these games is 50 cents on the dollar.

If you started with $1 million, bought a million lottery tickets with the money, and kept reinvesting your winnings, you’d go broke much faster than you think:

1. $1 million
2. $500,000
3. $250,000
4. $125,000
5. $62,500
6. $31,250
7. $15,750
8. $7875
9. $3937
10. $1969
11. $984
12. $492
13. $246
14. $123
15. $62
16. $31
17. $16
18. $8
19. $4
20. $2
21. $1

You’d go broke in 3 weeks.

My best advice about gambling?

Skip the lottery altogether–even the seemingly-harmless scratch-off tickets.

11- Raffles

I don’t usually think of a raffle as a gambling game. But I guess it qualifies.

A raffle is when an organization wants to raise some money for some purpose. They offer some kind of prize, and they sell tickets for a drawing to win that prize.

Raffles resemble lotteries, but they’re privately held. Depending where you live, a raffle might be illegal.

12- Bingo

Bingo resembles keno, lottery, and raffle games. The difference is the shape and makeup of the card. In the United States, a bingo card is a 5X5 grid. The word “BINGO” is printed across the top. The numbers are in the 25 squares.

Depending on the game, you win money based on getting a straight line or some other shape.

Bingo is the most socially accepted type of gambling in the world. Churches often host bingo games on a regular basis. People play bingo in elementary schools and nursing homes, although the prizes might not be cash.

But bingo isn’t legal in every jurisdiction, either.

13- Games of Skill

I discussed this category earlier. These are personal games of skill, like darts or billiards. I played in a weekly shuffleboard tournament at my local bar for 10 years. You paid $10 to play. You drew your partner at random.

The winners got the prize pool, and 2nd place got to play in the next week’s tournament free.

And if you don’t think shuffleboard is a game of skill, let me tell you this:

I didn’t win a tournament, no matter how strong a partner I had, for the 1st 9 years I participated.

14- Cultural Games

The California site mentions Native American stick games and Mahjong as examples. I know that in some Middle Eastern countries, it’s common to bet on kite fighting. Participants create kites with blades on them and try to take out their opponents’ kites.

This is an odd category. It seems like all gambling games are cultural games for someone.

Finally

These are just examples of the types of gambling games you might consider playing. I used 2 different websites’ opinions about how they should be categorized. But I had problems with both their categorization schemes.

I could create lists of games where your decisions matter versus games where your decisions don’t matter. I could also list games that use spinning wheels, like roulette or Wheel of Fortune. (Don’t confuse that 2nd one with the popular TV game show.)

I’ve done some work on a previous post that hopes to eventually be the most complete list of casino games on the internet. I’ll probably return to that post soon to update it. I doubt it will ever be finished, though. Gambling game creators are hard at work looking for new and exciting ways to separate you from your money all the time.

The gambling industry is big business. In fact, it’s estimated the industry contributes over $150B annually in the United States alone.

People seemingly can’t get enough of their favorite pastime.
Where do these hordes of cash-carrying gamblers assemble for their action?

Well, that depends.

On a few factors, but primarily 2. Those being where you live and your game of choice.

Let’s look at a few of the different types of gambling establishments.

Casinos

Since long before most of you were born, Las Vegas has been synonymous with one thing.

Casinos.

There is no disputing that Vegas is the capital for casino gambling in the United States, and possibly the world. It’s shed the stigma left by the mobsters of the early days and rebranded itself as a posh family-friendly desert oasis.

For nearly 40 years, Las Vegas stood as the only option for gamblers in the United States. That is certainly not the case today.

Casinos have popped up in one form or another from the west coast to the eastern seaboard and all points in between. From the mega-casinos of Vegas and Atlantic City to the Riverboat Casinos of middle America and the Tribal Casinos of the Great Plains, casino gambling dominates.

In fact, in the United States, gamblers made over 320 million trips to one of the many casinos. That’s more visitors than are crowding the bustling stadiums of MLB, NBA, or NFL teams. Maybe the saying should go, “As American as gambling and apple pie.” Not even the large arena concerts from the biggest stars drew larger numbers.

Casinos draw patrons from all walks of life. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lawyer from Boston or dig holes in Oklahoma, the casinos welcome you with open arms. As a matter of fact, nearly 20% of those that frequent the casinos are retired.

Online Casinos

Online casinos have soared in popularity over the last decade. You’ll find all of the casino classics you love in these virtual gaming sites. Sometimes, online casinos will offer even better odds than their brick and mortar counterparts.

Probably my favorite thing about these particular gambling establishments is the ability to quickly and securely enjoy my favorite games right from the comfort of my own home.

While most of these online casinos use strictly software to facilitate their games, there are online casinos that feature live dealers for the action.

Of course, if you’re considering jumping into the world of real money online casinos, there are some things you should know.

As I mentioned above, these casinos rely on software to operate. This software relies on random number generators to create random outcomes — the same randomness you would find in brick and mortar casinos.

If you are a fan of slot machines, then you may never step foot in a land-based casino again. The software used to run your favorite slot machines is nearly identical to those you may find at online casinos. They both use the same random number generators.

So, when it comes to slots, you’ll find basically the same product both online as in casinos.

If you are more of a blackjack or craps player, you’ll notice some differences in the product immediately. However, the legitimate online casinos go to great lengths to closely match the random number generators’ results to the real thing.

You likely won’t notice any difference at all in the randomness of the results for any table game.

If you are still having doubts, then you should take a look at the live dealer versions.

Everything from shuffling the cards to spinning a roulette wheel is done by the dealer, which you view via webcam.

While there are quite a few players that prefer this type of gameplay, there remain some who don’t seem to care either way.

The software developers that fuel these online games are continually fighting to stay on the verge of the latest cutting edge technologies. This means that you’ll get a pleasant aesthetic with some great graphics.

Almost all of the online casinos are going to provide you with a fair game at or near the odds you’ll find in any land-based casino. You should still do your research before settling on what casino you’ll play.

Online casinos, by some experts’ predictions, are the way of the future, and it’s hard to dispute that. They offer a convenient and secure way to enjoy all your beloved casino action without ever leaving your house.

Internet Casino Cafes

Internet casino cafes are businesses that offer customers the opportunity to buy their product for a chance at winning a prize.

Often, the product is along the lines of prepaid phone or internet service, which is how the businesses make their money.

These sweepstakes cafes first appeared in the United States around the year 2000.

In exchange for purchasing service from the casino cafe, you are awarded some form of entries. These entries are redeemed on machines similar to a slot machine or video poker game.

These games then payout in the form of prizes. I stopped by a local gas station earlier today and noticed some of these machines. Obviously, my curiosity drew me closer. The particular machines had signs on each one stating they were paying out store credit.

Some people may be more comfortable buying a service than flat out gambling. The reality is that this provides an avenue to skirt laws that prohibit gambling.

After all, you won’t find any of these buyer/seller relationships in Las Vegas. Nope, the casinos provide an upfront transaction.
Regardless, this template of customers continually purchasing additional services provides a slippery slope.

Players can fall into a cycle that looks a lot like a gambling addiction, but it isn’t precisely gambling.
Sure it is.

Along with their booming growth has come the wary eye of local, state, and federal employees. Several states have passed specific legislation to put these internet casino cafes out of business. Yet, they seem to continue popping up in many areas.

If you are in a region that doesn’t have legalized gambling, these internet cafes may be your only option for scratching the gambling itch.

Bingo Halls

The connection between bingo and gambling is slightly complicated and may vary depending on how state and federal laws come into play.

Some exemptions allow for something called “social gambling.” So, even if gambling hasn’t been legalized in your state, you are likely permitted to B18 to your heart’s content.

Bingo is widely accepted as a legal gambling practice. Most states allow some form of bingo for at least individual sections of the population.

In many instances, these bingo halls operate under the condition of donating any proceeds directly to the charity.

Types Of Gambling Online

So, it’s really a great deal for everyone. Gamblers have a place to play a game of chance with the opportunity to win some serious money. While the profits don’t go to the uber-wealthy corporations that own the casinos, but rather to a needy charitable organization.

Underground Casinos

Ahh, the underground casino. Just the mention can conjure up some pretty imaginative images of society’s underbelly.

But not every underground casino will land you in prison — at least not a federal prison.

Did you know that according to federal law, a group of no more than 4 may offer games for cash?

Of course, your individual state’s laws may vary.

You are best served to consult an attorney familiar with gaming laws in your state before participating in any form of underground gambling. You can then make your own choices from there.

If you’re a college student that runs a game for a weekend or two and take in under $2000, you aren’t facing any federal prosecution. I have played in many regular home games over the years, and we were never raided by the FBI.

However, I personally know people that have faced prison time for running large poker rooms. As a player, even if you were to be caught in an underground casino, it’s likely to be more of an inconvenience than anything.

Still, you need to ask yourself if it would be worth it. I personally have nothing to hide from any law enforcement or the IRS. However, I do not want them coming to my door.

If you can relate to that, it’s probably in your best interest to find a more legitimate gambling establishment.

Conclusion

Types Of Gambling Pdf

So, if you started the day thinking to yourself, “What are the different types of gambling establishments?” you now have some insight.

There are some definite similarities between the different types of establishments. Yet, the differences definitely demonstrate how much variety there is available for gamblers around the world.

Types Of Gambling In The Philippines

Wherever you decide to do your gambling, you should keep in mind that gambling, first and foremost, is entertainment. So, get out there and have a blast.

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