Ever seen pictures of those wildly expensive sports betting tickets online or wondered how someone could craft a career out of playing table games? It’s only natural to wonder why these people go down that route, given that gambling requires you to exercise some form of risk to reap the rewards.
But considering the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward, it’s hardly surprising that some people go overboard in the pursuit of life-changing money. While free trials might be a great way to test sweeps casinos, for example, they won’t give you the same experience as when real money is at stake. With the potential of big losses on the line, though, is gambling even worth it, or is it a fiasco waiting to happen?
The Psychology of Gambling
Gambling gets its hooks into many people, some more than others. Many are enticed by the prospects of gambling because of its reputation as a quick dopamine fix—all you have to do is press a button or make a call, and there’s the potential of winning $20, $200, or even $20,000! As dopamine is associated with the brain’s pleasure and motivation system, it naturally encourages people to keep chasing that high.
In some cases, however, gambling is just pure fun. A night out at the casino could serve as an entertaining activity for you and a couple of friends, and playing a slot machine or live table game online could be a once-in-awhile pastime. With sports betting, meanwhile, putting a wager down on a particular player will have you laser-focused on the game, waiting to see whether or not your instincts or predictions were right.
What Are the Different Types of Gambling?
Historically, gambling hasn’t always had the best reputation. Way back in the day, during the Renaissance, the sheer act of gambling was classified as immoral by religious authorities. Then, there was all the controversy surrounding betting scandals in the 1900s up to the 2000s. And now, we come to the present day, where online gambling and new legality have completely changed society’s perspectives on the activity.
People have different attitudes towards sports betting than slots and even table games. Rather than paint all forms of gambling with one brush, people tend to categorize them based on their individual characteristics, culture, and perceived risks. At their core, all these three categories are, in fact, inherently diverse.
Making an informed bet on sports games typically requires a deep or general knowledge of the game at hand, as well as the specific players and dynamics between teams. Meanwhile, slots operate in the opposite manner, where no strategic decisions or skills are involved—they’re purely just games of chance. Somewhere in the middle, we’ve got table games, where gamblers play a social game with other players. Games like poker involve a more intense element of luck than sports betting, but the game itself demands serious decision-making and mastery.
Factors to Consider Before Gambling
Most of one’s decision to gamble should hinge on two factors: purpose and ability. Before you sit down at a blackjack table or head into a poker room, ask yourself, “Do I even know how to play this game?” The outcome of these games has a lot to do with whether you fully understand the rules and techniques. If you don’t have the skill level needed, you’re putting yourself at an immediate disadvantage.
Ready to put stakes on the Tennessee Titans to cover the spread or on Calvin Ridley’s longest catch to be over 20 yards? Make sure you’re well-versed in what the spread even means or how Ridley’s doing this season. If the Titans are bound to do poorly against a certain team, or if Ridley has more drops than Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the 2023–2024 season, you might as well be throwing away your hard-earned cash.
With slots, the dynamic looks a lot different. There’s no technique or tactic to playing slots, nor can you be good at a specific slot machine (although we’re sure some may go against the grain), so do you really need to stop and think?
Here’s where the factor of purpose comes in. What is the purpose of sitting down at or with the slot machine? If your intention is to simply get a couple of spins in and enjoy yourself, then you’re good to go. On the other hand, if you’re planning to sit for hours and spend a hefty chunk of cash, you might want to set some healthier limits on time and spending amounts. That way, you’re not leaving the casino or exiting the app feeling like you’ve stepped one step closer to bankruptcy.
What Makes Gambling Worthwhile?
When done with self-control and the intention to have fun or test your trained skills, gambling can be incredibly worthwhile. It’s engaging and exciting, and the culture surrounding it has a long and riveting history. Whether you’re escaping to a brick-and-mortar casino for the experience or whipping out your smartphone to relax, there are many ways to play that make gambling a worthy activity.
Some love the personal satisfaction of winning; others like to stimulate their mind and show off the skills they spent hours refining. Especially with micro-bets and free social sportsbooks and casinos, players minimize the risk they take while still indulging in the thrill of the game. With responsibility in the mix, gambling is merely another form of entertainment that can be a positive and fulfilling hobby.
By Chris Bates
