LIVE HK speaking, gambling is the act of wagering something of value on a random event, such as a lottery. There are three elements to gambling, which are risk, reward, and consideration. Often, a person who gambles will try to maximize the amount of money they win, but will discount instances of strategy in the hopes of maximizing their return.
Ancient Chinese evidence of gambling
Despite having a population of more than 1.3 billion people, China has not monopolized on gambling in the traditional sense. In fact, there are more than a dozen casinos in the country to choose from. To this day, the traditional games still hold sway. However, a quick look at the latest stats will prove that modern day Chinese are more than willing to bet their monies on the aforementioned games. Considering the competition, this is a smart move.
Unlike today’s modern day Chinese, the ancients were more than a little bit wise in the gambling department. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, one of the earliest examples of dice based gaming was found. While these games may not have been as glamorous as those of the modern day, they did have a few amusingly entertaining rules of the game.
State-licensed or state-operated lotteries
During the last century, state-operated lotteries grew in size and stature. Today, forty-one states have a lottery game going. Some states are even offering the games online. The largest state-run lottery is in Maryland, and the Virgin Islands will operate its own lotteries by 2021. In fact, the fanciest and most reputable lottery games are available from coast to coast. The best part is, you don’t have to leave your couch. Some states even offer subscription packages to keep your finger on the pulse. In the end, you’ll probably wind up at the state lottery offices, but that’s no bad thing.
While there’s no debating the state-sponsored lottery games are the kool-aid, the online variants have garnered a lot of attention. Several states are offering the big and small games simultaneously, and the competition isn’t limited to online players.
Legality in Washington
Whether you want to place a bet on sports or are merely looking to try your luck at the slots, you will need to find out the legality of gambling in Washington State. The laws surrounding the game can vary from state to state.
In Washington State, betting on horse racing is legal. Off-track betting is also permitted. There are 13 locations in the state where people can place bets on horse races.
Washington also has a lottery. The Washington State Lottery was created in 1982. The law permits certain games to be used to raise money for charitable organizations.
Card rooms, raffles, and charity bingo are all authorized on a limited basis. These games can only be conducted at house-banked casino locations.
Problem gambling rates among college-aged men vs older populations
Compared to the older population, problem gambling rates among college-aged men are much higher. These results suggest that male-female estimates of severe gambling-related problems are disproportionately emphasized in the gambling literature.
Although the majority of studies on this topic have focused on women, there are still several studies that explore the risk factors for gambling behaviours by men. One study examined the impact of alcohol use on problem gambling, while a separate study found that polygamous families were associated with increased risk. A twin study also suggests that shared environmental factors influence gambling.
In a British Gambling Prevalence Study, college-aged men reported significantly higher rates of problem gambling than the younger population. The study was conducted in 2005-2007 and included a national telephone survey of over 4,000 households. The study identified four factors that correlated with problem gambling: gender, age, romantic relationship, and weekly alcohol use.
Penalties for gambling
Depending on the state you live in, you may find yourself facing gambling related charges. The penalties for such crimes can vary, but the fines are usually small compared to other types of crimes.
For instance, gambling in the third degree, which occurs when an individual bets $500 or less with one or more people in a single day, is a misdemeanor. In some cases, it can even result in a felony.
The fines and punishments for such a crime can range from one year in jail to 20 years in prison. It is also illegal to place interstate bets in violation of the Wire Act.
Other than the usual criminal charges, the penalties for illegal gambling include the suspension of your driver’s license and community service. Some states will suspend your license indefinitely while others will take it away for a specified period.