Gambling most often refers specifically to the wagering (or betting) 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
Baccarat
Craps
Roulette
Keno
Faro
Pai Gow
Pachinko
Sic Bo
Wheel of Fortune

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

  • Two-up

• 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

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 of money is a symbolic low value. Logically insurance ia a kind of bet, but the purpose is different.

See also related topics:

casino games
casino nights
bet exchange
three card monte
spread betting
casino tokens