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, [Cardsharps], c. 1594.The term gambling has had many different meanings depending on the cultural and historical context in which it is used. Currently, in [Western world], it has an [economics] [definition], referring to "wagering [money] or something of material [Value (personal and cultural)] on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods". Typically, the outcome of the wager is evident within a short period of time.

The term gaming United Kingdom Office of Public Sector Information: Definition as Gaming in this context typically refers to instances in which the activity has been specifically permitted by law. The two words are not mutually exclusive; i.e.: a “gaming” company offers (legal) “gambling” activities to the public. Gambling Law US

Legal aspects Because many religious authorities generally disapprove of gambling to some extent, and because gambling can have adverse [social cost], most legal jurisdictions limit gambling to some extent. Some Islamic nations prohibit gambling; most other countries [regulation] it. International Association of Gaming Regulators: Members

Many jurisdictions, local as well as national, either ban or heavily control (by licensing) gambling. Such regulation generally leads to [Tourism#Special forms of tourism] and illegal gambling. The involvement of governments, through regulation and taxation, has led to a close connection between many governments and gaming organizations, where legal gambling provides significant government revenue, such as in [Monaco] or [Macau].

Under US federal law, [Gambling in the United States] in the [United States], and states are free to regulate or prohibit the practice. Gambling has been legal in [Nevada] since 1931, forming the backbone of the state's economy, and the city of [Las Vegas, Nevada] is perhaps the best known gambling destination in the world. In 1976, gambling was legalized in [Atlantic City], [New Jersey], and in 1990, it was legalized in [Tunica], [Mississippi]; both of those cities have developed extensive casino and resort areas since then. Since a favorable [US Supreme Court] decision in 1987, many [Native Americans in the United States] tribes have built their own [Indian casinos] on tribal lands as a way to provide revenue for the tribe. Because the tribes are considered sovereign nations, they are often exempt from state laws banning gambling, and are instead [Indian Gaming Regulatory Act] under federal law. Additionally almost all states have legalized gambling in the form of a [Lotteries in the United States].

Because contracts of [insurance] have many features in common with wagers, insurance contracts are often distinguished under law as agreements in which either party has an interest in the "bet-upon" outcome beyond the specific financial terms. E.g.: a “bet” with an insurer on whether one's house will burn down is not gambling, but rather insurance — as the homeowner has an obvious interest in the continued existence of his/her home independent of the purely financial aspects of the "bet" (i.e., the insurance policy).

There is generally legislation requiring that the odds in gaming devices are [statistical randomness], to prevent manufacturers from making some high-payoff results impossible. Since these high-payoffs have very low [probability], a house bias can quite easily be missed unless checking the odds carefully. Nevada State Gaming Control Board: Technical Standards (Adopted)

Gambling variables There are three variables common to all forms of gambling:
  • How much is being wagered, the initial stake (in money or material goods).
  • The predictability of the event.
    • In mechanical or electronic gambling such as lotteries, slot machines and bingo, the results are random and unpredictable; no amount of skill or knowledge (assuming machinery is functioning as intended) can give an advantage in predictability to anyone.
    • However, for sports events such as horse racing and soccer matches there is some predictability to the outcome; thus a person with greater knowledge and/or skill will have an advantage over others.
  • The odds agreed between the two (or more) parties to the wager; where there is a house or a bookmaker, the odds are (quite legally) arranged in favor of the house.
The [expected value], positive or negative, is a mathematical calculation using these three variables. The amount wagered determines the scale of an individual wager (bet); the odds and the amount wagered determine the payout if successful; the predictability determines the frequency of success. Finally the frequency of success times the payout minus the amount wagered equals the "expected value"The skill of a gambler lies in understanding and maneuvering the three variables so that the "actual value" is positive over a series of wagers.

Types of gambling Casino games While almost any game can be played for money, and any game typically played for money can also be played just for fun, some games are generally offered in a [casino] setting. "Beatable" casino games A highly skilled player with a well-designed strategy can create a positive mathematical expectation on games such as:

  • [Blackjack]—with [card counting] unless a continuous shuffler is used
  • [Pai gow poker] and [Pai Gow]—player-dealt
  • [Parimutuel betting]
  • [Poker] (Also recognized as a [game of skill])
  • [Slot machine]s—where progressive jackpots or bonuses reach a certain break-even point
  • [Sports betting]
  • [Video poker]—with proper [pay table] and/or [progressive jackpot]


"Unbeatable" casino games parlor in [Tokyo], Japan.These games have a negative expectation regardless of how few or many games someone plays. Nevertheless, this does not stop gamblers from having false beliefs (the "[gambler's fallacy]") that their actions or "way of playing" will influence the outcome.
  • [Baccarat] (punto banco)
  • [Caribbean Stud Poker]
  • [Casino war]
  • [Craps] (though some believe the use of [dice control] can beat the game)
  • [Fan-Tan]
  • [Faro (card game)]
  • [Keno]
  • [Let it ride]
  • [Pachinko]
  • [Pyramid Poker]
  • [Three card poker]
  • [Four card poker]
  • [Red dog]
  • [Roulette]
  • [Sic bo]
  • [Spanish 21]—without counting
  • [Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker]


Non-casino gambling games tiles.Gambling games that take place outside of casinos include Bingo (as played in the [Bingo (US)] and [Bingo (UK)]), [dead pool], [lottery], [pull-tab] games and [scratchcard]s, and [Mahjong].

Other non-casino gambling games include:
  • [Card game]s, such as [Liars poker], [Bridge game], [Basset], [Lansquenet], [Piquet], [Put option], [Teen patti]
  • [Coin] games such as [Head and Tail], [Two-up]* *[Confidence tricks such as [Three-card Monte or the [Shell game *[Carnival game such as [Razzle (game) or [Hanky Pank *[Dice game games, such as [Backgammon, [Liar's dice, [Passe-dix, [Hazard (game), [Threes, [Pig (dice), or [Mexico (game) *Although coin tossing isn't usually played in a casino, it has been known to be an official gambling game in some Australian casinos Sky City - SkyCity Casino - Table Games - Two Up


Fixed-odds gambling [Fixed-odds gambling] and [Parimutuel betting] frequently occur at many types of sporting events. In addition many [bookmaker]s offer fixed odds on a number of non-sports related outcomes, for example the direction and extent of movement of various [stock market index], the winner of [television] competitions such as [Big Brother television program], election results, ABC.net: US election betting backs Bush. Interactive [prediction market]s also offer trading on these outcomes, with "shares" of results trading on an open market.

Parimutuel betting in [Tokyo], Japan.One of the most widespread forms of gambling involves betting on [horse racing] or [greyhound] racing. Wagering may take place through [parimutuel betting] pools; or [bookmaker]s may take bets personally. Parimutuel wagers pay off at prices determined by support in the wagering pools, while bookmakers pay off either at the odds offered at the time of accepting the bet; or at the median odds offered by track bookmakers at the time the race started.

Sports betting Betting on team sports has become an important [service industry] in many countries. For example, millions of [United Kingdom] play the [football pools] every week.

Arbitrage betting Arbitrage betting is a theoretically risk-free betting system in which every outcome of an event is bet upon so that a known profit will be made by the bettor upon completion of the event, regardless of the outcome. Arbitrage betting is a combination of the ancient art of [arbitrage] trading and gambling, which has been made possible the large numbers of bookmakers in the marketplace, creating occasional opportunities for arbitrage.

Other types of betting One can also bet with another person that a statement is true or false, or that a specified event will happen (a "back bet") or will not happen (a "lay bet") within a specified time. This occurs in particular when two people have opposing but strongly-held views on truth or events. Not only do the parties hope to gain from the bet, they place the bet also to demonstrate their certainty about the issue. Some means of determining the issue at stake must exist. Sometimes the amount bet remains nominal, demonstrating the outcome as one of principle rather than of financial importance.

[Bet exchange] allow consumers to both back and lay at odds of their choice. Similar in some ways to a stock exchange, a better may want to back a horse (hoping it to win) or lay a horse (hoping it to lose, effectively acting as bookmaker)

Staking systems Many betting systems have been created in an attempt to "beat the bookie" but most still accept that no system can make an unprofitable bet profitable over time. Widely-used systems include:
  • Fixed stakes – a traditional system of staking the same amount on each selection.
  • Fixed profits – the stakes vary based on the odds to ensure the same profit from each winning selection.
  • [Due-column betting] – A variation on fixed profits betting in which the bettor sets a target profit and then calculates a bet size that will make this profit, adding any losses to the target.
  • [Kelly criterion] – the optimum level to bet to maximize your future median bank level.
  • [Martingale (betting system)] – A system based on staking enough each time to recover losses from previous bet(s) until one wins.


Other uses of the term "gambling" Many risk-return choices are sometimes referred to colloquially as "gambling." Whether this terminology is acceptable is a matter of debate, but generally the following activities are not considered gambling:

  • Emotional or physical risk-taking, where the risk-return ratio is not quantifiable (e.g., [skydiving], [political campaign] for political office, asking someone for a date, etc.)
  • [Insurance] is a method of shifting risk from one party to another. Insurers use actuarial methods to calculate appropriate premiums, which could be considered similar to calculating gambling odds. However, insurers can set their premiums to obtain a long term positive expected return.
  • Situations where the possible return is a secondary reason for the wager/purchase (e.g., buying a raffle ticket to support a [Alms] cause)


[Investments] are also usually not considered gambling, although some investments can involve significant risk. Examples of investments include [stock]s, [Bond (finance)] and [real estate]. Starting a business can also be considered a form of investment. Investments are generally not considered gambling when they meet the following criteria:

  • Positive expected returns (at least in the long term)
  • Economic utility
  • Underlying value independent of the risk being undertaken


Some [speculation] investment activities are particularly risky, but are still usually considered separately from gambling:

  • Securities [derivative (finance)], such as [Option (finance)] or [futures], where the value of the derivative is dependent on the value of the underlying asset at a specific point in time (typically the derivative's associated expiration date)
  • Foreign currency exchange ([forex]) transactions
  • [Prediction markets]


Psychological aspects Main article: [Problem gambling] Though many participate in gambling as a form of [recreation] or even as a means to gain an income, gambling, like any behavior which involves variation in [neurochemistry], can become a [psychologically addictive] and harmful behavior in some people. [Reinforcement] schedules may also make gamblers persist in gambling even after repeated losses.

The Russian writer [Fyodor Dostoevsky] portrays in his novella [The Gambler (novella)] the psychological implications of gambling and how gambling can affect gamblers. He also associates gambling and the idea of "[get rich quick]", suggesting that Russians may have a particular affinity for gambling. Dostoevsky shows the effect of betting money for the chance of gaining more in 19th-century Europe. The association between Russians and gambling has fed legends of the origins of [Russian roulette].

By country
  • [Gambling in Macau] (PRC)
  • [Gambling in the United Kingdom]
  • [Gambling in the United States]


See also
  • [Online gambling]
  • [Mobile gambling]
  • [Casino]
  • [Gambler's ruin]
  • [Gambler's fallacy]
  • [Gaming mathematics]


References

External links

  • Gaming Studies Research Center - at [University of Nevada, Las Vegas]
  • Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the [University of Nevada, Reno]


Information Reference: Wikipedia.org


Gambling

Questions and Answers

Why is gambling illegal in the States, and yet buying sticks and shares isn't?

Q) Before anyone says buying stocks and shares is different, it's investing ..... nonsense. The result is out of your control, therefore it's gambling. In fact, the definition of gambling is: wagering money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money or material goods Therefore, "investing" is gambling. I'm a futures trader, I trade the markets every single day, I know it's an odds game, you can get the odds in your favour, but the parallels with poker are astonishing. Americans can't even legally play online poker. Poker is a skilled game. I know that if I play 100 times online, in a ten man competition, I will win 70% of the time, I'm that good. It's not a game of chance, theoretically through bluffing, I can win every hand, whether I have the best hand or not. So why can't the Yanks gamble, apart from in selected states? ERIC PLEASE READ MY QUESTION BEFORE ANSWERING I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE DO THIS, I CLEARLY SAID, IN SELECTED STATES

A) I guess you shouldn't go to the store either, since you COULD be in an accident. Your car, health, or life is something of value. "Investing" is buying something of value and gambling on whether the value will go up or down. "Gambling" is putting value in nothing and hoping chance gets you everyone else's money.

gambling money u dont have?

Q) If you tell a gambling website to tfer money frm ur acc they credit ur gambling acc b4 they could know if u had money in bank, so what stops u continusly 2xing ur bets till u win?

A) No they don't they will get an authorisation code from your bank before thy credit your account.

gambling films?

Q) i'm doing a graphic design project on gambling, can anyone recomend any films about gambling, such as casino royale, smokin' aces?

A) sure you should watch Vegas. I love it.

Is gambling wrong? What about investing?

Q) Being a christian, gambling has always been frowned upon by my parents, the church, and other christians. I am asking whats the differerence between putting £500 on red in a casino and putting £500 on the stock market? There is a risk involved in both just one is easier and more straightforward. Please dont say that it looks like i want to gamble so i may as well do it and face the consequences...its just a question out of interest...

A) Gambling is one of those things that divides the Christian community, like instrumental music in church, drinking alcohol, etc. I am a Christian and I "gamble"; e.g., I play some Texas Hold 'Em. So is gambling wrong or not? Admittedly, it is complex! The first point is that throughout the Bible we see evidence that it is not so much WHAT you do, but where your heart and mind are WHEN doing it. For instance, if one person eats pork, knowing full well that it is fine in the Lord's eyes, they are okay. But if someone else eats it, believing as the Jews do that it is bad, then how do you think the Lord is going to view this? They believed it was wrong while doing it and He is supposed to let 'em off? They THOUGHT they were defying Him, but he is supposed to ignore that? That's why I as a parent care much more about what my kids were thinking while doing certain things than about the act itself. Where were their hearts? So, the first question is not about the act of gambling itself, but how YOU feel about it? Do you know the applicable scripture on the subject? Do you understand the views of the churches that teach the doctrine of freewill, stewardship, etc.? IF you understand that NO ONE is 100 percent responsible for the gifts the Lord gives us and that there is probably no difference between squandering some of your money on golf, stocks, or gambling then that's one point. IF you can honestly say that you believe that some recreational gambling is okay, as long as it is throw-away mone--i.e., not money needed for ANY necessity, and money over and above your tithes, etc.--then we move to the next series of questions. If you cannot get past these questions then why move on, right? You have to know that the devil is ALL OVER gambling. You see so many idiots rubbing people with the dice "for luck," or changing their betting patterns "for luck," etc. You hear the word LUCK all the time in gambling circles. When I take a bad beat in poker, I think two things at once: 1. Could I have done anything to better predict that outcome; i.e., did I miss a tell from my opponent, did I misplay my hand, etc.? 2. God is in control of EVERYTHING, even the ordering of the cards. He gave me freewill to play this game, freewill to fold, freewill to have called instead of raised, etc. There are lessons in those losses! God is there watching me, just as He is in church! The point is that IF you go into a casino, which is FILLED with people who believe in luck, and may well disregard God, then you have to be careful. VERY CAREFUL!!! The Bible tells us to be IN this world, but not OF it. That is even more true of the casino. All the sins we see in everyday life are small taters compared to the sins we see in a casino. The number of atheists and agnostics in the casino are FAR greater than in everyday life (because so many Christians stay away from casinos). AND one last point. Christians who know they have freewill to drink STILL run up against people's belief that it is wrong for them to do so. A pastor friend of mine was at a Christian conference once. Afterwards, he and two of his pastor buddies went to a bar. Gasp! While there, a patron found out that these three guys were pastors and started cussing them out. "How dare you!" See? It was alright for HIM to drink, as a pagan, as a sinner, but not them. They must be pure. As if alcohol makes you impure. Anyway, EVENTUALLY the man calmed down, joined them, and they ended up reading scripture about drinking, praying, and fellowshipping, and before the night was done the man accepted Jesus Christ! Wouldn't it be awesome if you could experience that in a casino? BUT ... don't ignore the warning. MANY people think that Christians are barred from such places. I ask you AGAIN, are you one of those who believes that? So, your witness is immediately in question. You had BETTER have your facts together before going into a place like that. You have better know that you are on firm ground. Otherwise, you'll be LUCKY to get out of their alive. (Sarcasm.) Lord bless!

4 of us were caught gambling . Three have already appeared in court and pleaded not guilty?

Q) The country where I live gambling is fobiden . Four of us were caught .Three appeared in court all three pleaded not guilty of gambling. I will have to appear in court next week . What do I tell the court if all three have pleaded not guilty to gambling then with who was I gambling with ?

A) If they were found not guilty by the courts, then you are in good shape. That probably hasn't happened though. You'll generally get a shorter sentence if you plead guilty and agree to testify against the others, assuming one of them doesn't do this to you first.

A gambling habit ?

Q) Okay Daves, there is a fine chap (ha!) called abenezerscroogexxx who has a severe gambling problem. He answers every question, near enough, with 'ye bet ye'. Should we help him cure his gambling problem and habit of using 17th century pronouns?

A) You bet ye. I'm sorry, but that just had to be done.

Is gambling ethical?

Q) I believe in God but have been gambling for over two years. The idea is to earn enough money to live on, not to become rich. But when I win, others lose.....God and gambling.....can they both be part of my life?

A) Actually the Bible is pretty cool with gambling: Numbers 26:52-56 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying ... the land shall be divided by lot. Joshua 14:2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. Joshua 18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. Joshua 19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD. Joshua 21:8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses. 1 Chronicles 26:13-14 And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate. And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward. Nehemiah 10:34 And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God. Acts 1:23-26 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen.... And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Also don't forget the wager that God had with Satan regarding Job.

Depression? Gambling Problem? What's wrong with me?

Q) Six months ago I lost £1300 gambling - my Mum lent me the money and I've since paid her back. I can't, whatever I try, put the incident behind me and get on with life. It's taken root in my head and I feel depressed, numb, and regretful - at it's worst, I've been suicidal. I've built up tons of 'triggers' in my head - e.g. I hear a song or think about a film I remember from the time it happened and the memory association is unbearable. I've tried a hypnotherapist and GA - neither helped. Nor do my regular anti-depressants. I now live somewhere different, have a new job, a new life entirely - but I can't enjoy any of it; my life's just stuck. Once or twice I've felt tempted to try and win the money back, but I've resisted and it's not a regular experience at all. Can anyone tell me what's wrong with me? Is it compulsive gambling? Conventional depression? Post traumatic stress disorder?! I haven't a clue why it's doing this to me, or how to put it right. Thanks for reading

A) I doubt anyone here is qualified to give you the answers you need. You should see your physician and tell him/her what your feelings are and see if your doc can send you to the specialists you may need. I wish you the very best. Don't give up on yourself, go to the professionals that can help you.

Gambling odds?

Q) Are bookies odds different online compared to the odds given in the same bookie on the street? (for example, are the odds different in William Hill compared to www.williamhill.com) If they are different.. do you get better odds gambling online or by physically walking into the bookies and placing a bet?

A) Odds offered are generally the same online as they are in the shop, or track for that matter. Although some online offer a sllightly higher odds as an incentive for u to use that site but you will find that other more popular bets are either the same or slightly reduced, approx 1/2 point normally..

Gambling website?

Q) I want to set up a small gambling website. What are the UK laws and regulations of doing this?

A) That's going to take a large capital investment, a small website is unlikely to be viable. You would find it impossible to get the number of 'hits' that you would need to make a profit and would also have to consider how payment both in and out would be made. To be sure that you were conforming to all the UK regulations you would need to hire a lawyer, you would also need a large ammount of server space. I do not wish to be rude but my guess is that if you are asking about the legal side on this site then you have little experience in the gambling industry in the UK, if you are serious about starting your own business then it may be an idea to work in the industry and learn the trade a little more, that way you have more chance of sucess.

Gambling????

Q) Is gambling a sin? Do the bible say so?

A) Gambling can be defined as “risking money in an attempt to multiply the money on something that is against the odds.” The Bible does not specifically condemn gambling, betting, or the lottery. The Bible does warn us, however, to stay away from the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10; Hebrews 13:5). Scripture also encourages us to stay away from attempts to "get rich quick" (Proverbs 13:11; 23:5; Ecclesiastes 5:10). Gambling most definitely is focused on the love of money and undeniably tempts people with the promise of quick and easy riches. 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." Hebrews 13:5 declares, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Matthew 6:24 proclaims, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Gambling Issue?

Q) I just read my grandsons messages. Yes I have a great big problem with gambling. Don't think all of you guy and gals know this but 97 persent of all gambles have a very compulsive behavior. 3/4 of them will go back to gambling if the do attend meetings. This problem has something to do with the brain once you get hooked you can't quit. Yes every one should have freedom. But the government is abandoning smoking from all sorts of places. Gambling can be worse then smoking. Most of the people who end up gambling, either end up in prison or end up dead. People will do anything to gamble. So they might just start killing other people to get money to gamble. So please tell me where are you getting all of you information. Have you seem like idiots. If you don't have the problem, stop trying to tell other people how to solve the problem.

A) The only problem you have with gambling is losing. Where are you getting your information, "Most of the people who end up gambling, either end up in prison or end up dead." This is a totally false statement!! And in a very small percent will gambling be worse than smoking. Compulsive behavior doesn't start with gambling. As I see it that behavior is being taught in school, for the past 20 years. Telling kids what a good job there doing, before they do anything. Just like bill gates says this is the worst thing for kids. This does NOT prepare them for the real world.

Gambling Issue?

Q) Yes I know it is up to the person and how he wants to spend his money. But my grandpa has been to all types of treatment programs and so has his friends. These treatment programs never worked and my grandpa lost his, house, his automobile and every thing else. He is going to lose his family also. If he does not stop gambling. What is the world coming to. I am only 15 years old and when kids can go in to a casino or a bar and start gambling, this this is utterly rediculeous. So why in the world don't the government get in there head to stop all gambling. Why would any one want to gamble in the first place. Because you never when from gambling. Who pays for the people, who are on social security. The tax payers do. So they are losing a lot of money also. See please help me try to stop all gambling.a Because, we lose the socurity we have now. Due to the people that are on social security right now. Which is most of them in the first place.

A) Gambling is a preference and a source of entertainment so it's not fair to try and stop all gambling.There are slot of ppl who can and do have it control.But just like anything else..one needs to have boundaries and self control.If not then I would suggest treatment because an addiction cannot be controlled by oneself. It's no ones fault but the person who lost their self control. There are millions of ppl who can gamble and have a good time then walk away.Unfortunately there is a growing number of others who CANNOT walk away. Be patient,understanding and urge your Grandpa to get help.You can't do it alone especially being a teenager.Your Grandpa needs a professional. Good Luck.

What gambling problems does your country have?

Q) I live in NZ. A few years ago the only gambling here was horse racing using the totalisator, not private bookmakers, a state lottery called Lucky Kiwis, and of course private gambling like poker games. It wasn't a serious social problem back then. Now, gambling has been made easier. We've now got casinos, online gambling, scratch-and-win tickets, which you buy, scratch and if you're lucky, get a prize. and what we call pokie machines. In Britain they call them one-armed bandits. It's easier to lose money fast gambling than with any other vice, especially if it doesn't require any skill. Horse racing required skill and knowledge. Now pokies are a major problem here. Some of the profits are taxed and given to charities. But the social problems they cause cost us far more than they pay back. I want to write a story about it. Please tell me about your country's experience with different forms of gambling. Gambling is in NZ a way to take money from the poor to give to the rich. I want material for a story condemning our over-liberal gambling laws. Please help.

A) My country likes to wager on the presence of "Weapons of Mass Destruction" in middle-eastern countries. So far, it seems like a losing bet...

Is gambling a sin? I reaize many sins are caused as a result of it, but is gambling in itself a sin? Thank You

Q) Hello, Is Gambling a sin? I realize many sins are caused by, or are committed as a result of gambling, but is the act of gambling in, and of itself one of the over 300 Venial Sins GOD gave us in addition to the Ten Commandments that Moses taught to the Israelites? Even if you don't know if it's a Venial Sin. Do you believe the act of Gambling in and of itself is a sin - no matter how small the wager? I'm not holding a survey or anything like that. I just thought it was an interesting Religous, and Philosophical quagmire of a question. Thank You

A) Yep gambling is included in the list of don'ts adhered 2 by true Christians. Gambling makes money 4 the establishment in taxes.

Gambling Issue?

Q) I know to many people, that gamble all of there money away. For instance, my grandpa is on social security. When he gets his social security check. Him and the rest of his friends go out gambleing. Some time they win a lot of money. But everytime they do, they put it right back in the machines. I have wrote the government and told them that this is not right. In matter of fact, I told them that they were the worst robbers. If some one went into a casino and rob it, they would end up behind bars. But yet the government, can take all of their money away, of of these gambling machines. Oh, I never did hear a word back from them. I would really like to figure out away to stop all gambling and I really do not know how to do this. Does any one know how to do this and if there is. Would some one please help me out. Oh, my teacher had my class at school, write some letters to the government about Gambling. The reason why, is that she caught quit a few students in a casio. That was under age.

A) How many times are you going to ask this same question?

Is gambling in the best interests of the country?

Q) Today 19 states support commercial gambling in densely populated markets near interstates, 28 states host Indian casinos, 41 run lotteries, and 43 allow track-side betting, balancing their budgets on the backs of their poorest and most vulnerable citizens. Last year, Americans legally wagered more than $1.1 trillion...BUT...80% of gambling revenue comes from households with incomes of less than $50,000 a year. Worse, players with annual incomes of less than $10,000 spent almost three times as much on gambling as those with incomes of more than $50,000. Of the many ways government can raise money, gambling is the worst. It's regressive. And it can ruin lives. In spite of all the clap-trap one sees in this forum about the poor, we're apparently willing to take from them whatever money they're foolish enough to wager, right? What kind of government spends millions of taxpayer dollars peddling false hope to confiscate cash from its poorest citizens to fatten state coffers? Comments? Yeah, Ruthie...I see how your logic works! You whine about the poor and people on welfare, but you're perfectly willing to benefit from their GAMBLING LOSSES, calling it a matter of "personal responsibility." Gambling is OK, but you wouldn't dare come out for legalizing cannabis or prostitution, both of which would yield billions in revenues. Personal responsibility, indeed! Flaming hypocrite.

A) Gambling at it's best is good entertainment, and can be used as a form of voluntary taxation. At it's worst as you pointed out, it can ruin lives. The thing is that almost everyone that gambles knows to pull back, and cut their losses. A few though become addicted, and can lose everything. I think gambling when used responsibly is in the best interests of the country. especially if it's taxed, and the money goes to valuable services such as public education. Some of the money should of course be set aside to deal with those with gambling problems. Gambling like drinking, sex, smoking, and many other activities can be abused. But there is also something to be said for the freedom to participate in such activities. Many times it's hard to figure out what's more important on certain issues, freedom or the avoidance of harm. On this issue I will say that legalized gambling is alright.

Can gambling lead to gambling addiction?

Q) My father is always gambling, and my mother is constantly rambling about how gambling has taken over my dad's mind, how he's addicted to it. I was just wondering whether my mom could be right about this. If there is such a thing as gambling addiction and can this be treated?

A) Yes, there is such a thing as gambling addiction. If left untreated, the gambler might even go so far as to rob money just so he could have something to gamble. When gambling interferes with vocational, personal, or family pursuits, this means that the person is already a gambling addict. There are treatments, but it's a long, hard road. Either one or a combination of the following therapies are needed for the addict to get treated: psychological, behavioral, cognitive, and relaxation therapy. Does your dad depend so much on gambling that he has been neglecting some of his responsibilities? If yes, then maybe it's time to take him to the doctor. Good luck!

I want a alcohol and gambling free world?

Q) I'm writing to you and let you know how unfair you non-smoking law is.You people want a smoke free world.What about our rights to have a alcohol free and a gambling free world? Some of us would like to go to any ball game,bowling,a company party,fancy Restaurant,gas station,department& food store without seeing and smelling alcohol in the building.I'm also tired of seeing lotto tickets,scratch off,bingo halls and schools having their students selling bake goods,stuff for school function door to door.Kids are at school to learn,writing,math,spelling,history not to sell things to get a prize.Gambling and Alcohol should be outlawed if your going to take our smoking rights away from us those should be stopped as well!!Your only teaching that it's okay to drink,gamble and hussle and smoking is forbidded.You took smoking avertisemants off the TV,magizines,bulltin boards, but you welcome Alcohol avertisement with open arms!!!while it takes millions of peoples lives everyday!!!Just so our Goverment can make a quick buck and the Alcoholics have their right to drink and gamble.We as smokers don't have the right to smoke at all.We work and pay taxes just as well as everyone else does and they get more rights then us.I'm sorry I don't drink.I'd rather be alert then drunk off my ass and kill a person or myself.So many people say that smoking is killing them and it stinks,Well I'm here to tell you that Alcohol is killing me and it stinks and destorys millions of lives.But I guess that's okay,just don't smoke,right? Being hit by a drunk driver,abused(mental & physical),liver transplant,broken homes is all caused by smoking? I think not!!!!! Alcohol is more like it!!!!Banned Alcohol from stores,Ball games,Restaurant,gas station and stop gambling!!!!I vote for a alcohol and gambling free world!!!!!!!!!If you don't plan to give us a alcohol and gambling free world!!Then give us back our rights to smoke!!!! I say this cause my work place says we have to smoke in cars,guess what I have no car!So I can't smoke and we're not allowed to smoke outside the building,you have to be in a car to smoke.

A) AMEN! that's what i am talking about!!! go you for speaking your mind!!!!

Proof of gambling winnings for tax?

Q) I know that in the US you are supposed to report gambling winnings. When you do report gambling winnings however, are you supposed to prove it somehow? How will you know the exact amount of gambling winnings you've earned if you did not recieve a w-2g? Will there be a chance that if i report gambling winnings of 7500 and am not sure if there is more, that the IRS could audit me or penalize me in some way? and i am not deducting my losses.

A) All of your winnings are considered taxable income, and you're supposed to be keeping track. (You should also be keeping track of ALL of your losses, including lottery tickets. You can deduct your losses from winnings until you reach zero for the year.) You're basically on the honor system. I think the IRS expects you to always lose, since the house is always favored. Unless you get the paperwork, there's no paper trail on the winnings. If you're a patriot, do the right thing and pay your taxes.

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