Gambling

Gambling most often refers specifically to the wagering of money on games of chance, or more broadly to engaging in any high-risk behavior. 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 is opposed by many religions (notably Islam and most interpretations of Christianity), and is either banned or heavily controlled in many jurisdictions (notably most of the United States). 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
• Craps
• Roulette
• Keno
• Faro
• Pai Gow
• Pachinko

Fixed-odds gambling and Parimutuel gambling are frequently offered at or on the following kinds of events:

• Horse racing
• Greyhound racing
• Jai alai
• football matches
• Golf
• Tennis
• Cricket

In addition many bookmakers offer odds on a number of non-sports related outcomes, e.g. the direction of various financial indices, whether snow will fall on Christmas Day, the winner of television competitions such as Big Brother, etc.

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
  • Head and Tail

See also casino games.

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