Gambling is the wagering (or betting) of money on games of chance. Though for many it is a form of recreation, it can become a psychologically addictive and harmful behavior in some people. Because of the negative connotations of the word, casinos often use the euphemism "gaming" to describe the recreational gambling activities they offer. Gambling may also refer to engaging in any high-risk behavior.
Most religions oppose gambling to a greater or lesser extent. The Qur'an forbids it. The Bible treats it as a vice which distracts the faithful from their religious duties, and tempts them to trust in luck instead of God. The Quaker testimony on gambling opposes it because one person's gain is another's loss, and the gain is made without work. Protestant religions generally take a dim view of gambling, though some are not averse to lotteries to fund good work or church activities. Roman Catholicism has a more relaxed attitude; the Catechism states it is not evil in itself, but only to the extent that it deprives the losers of what they need to live, or becomes an obsession. Many Catholic parishes run weekly Bingo games. Judaism has no definite prohibition, but the activity is generally viewed with distaste, particularly when gambling is the sole source of income, or is pursued addictively.
Because of the generally negative religious view as well as various perceived social costs, gambling is either banned or heavily controlled (licenced) in many jurisdictions. Consequently, gambling has long been linked to organised crime. Conversely, the close involvement in governments (through regulation and gambling taxation) has led to a close connection between many governments and gambling organisations, where legal gambling provides much government revenue.
Gambling games are believed to predate recorded history, with gambling games recorded in virtually all of the ancient civilizations.
Types of casino gambling:
- Slot machines
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Craps
- Roulette
- Keno
- Faro
- Pai Gow
- Pachinko
- Sic Bo
- Wheel of Fortune
- Horse racing
- Greyhound racing
- Jai alai
- football matches
- Golf
- Tennis
- Cricket
Non-casino gambling games:
- Lottery
- Dice-based
- Backgammon
- Liar's dice
- Passe-dix
- Hazard
- Card games
- Liar's poker
- Bridge
- Basset
- Lansquenet
- Piquet
- Put
- Coin-tossing
- Street Swindles
- Three Card Monte
- The Shell Game
- Carnival Games
- The Razzle
- Hanky Pank
- Penny Falls
- Six-Cat
- The Swinger
- The Push-up Bottle
- The Nail Joint
- Bar Games
- Put and Take
- The Smack
- The Drunken Mitt
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Other betting
One can also bet with another person that a statement is true or that a specified event will happen within a specified time. This is done in particular when two people have opposing views of what is true or will happen and are each rather certain. Not only do the parties hope to gain from the bet, they place the bet also to demonstrate how certain they are about the issue. A requirement is that it is possible to determine who was right. Sometimes the amount bet is nominal, winning being the important point. Logically insurance is a kind of bet, but the purpose is different.
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