Poll: Scots "confused" over what counts as gambling

[The Buzz]

A poll commissioned by the Industry Group For Responsible Gambling to coincide with Responsible Gambling Week, found that only 10% of people in Scotland consider themselves to be gamblers even though 68% buy lottery tickets, 55% purchase scratch cards and 39% bet on sporting event.

From The National, a newspaper in Scotland:

YouGov questioned adults in Scotland about their gambling habits over the last 12 months and found widespread confusion about what counts as gambling. The research showed 43% do not think that playing machine games in a seaside arcade is gambling and there is similar uncertainty about other “softer” activities – 40% do not think playing in a bingo club constitutes gambling and neither does playing the lottery (28%), or buying scratch cards (28%).

The research highlights the distinction people make between “softer” forms of gambling, which many do not regard as gambling at all, and so-called “harder” gambling, which they believe may not apply to them.

Read more here: https://www.thenational.scot/news/18...w-yougov-poll/

[universal4]

Even though a little misdirected, at least I can understand why many playing lottery may not consider it gaming. but for most of us, I imagine the 39% that bet on sports and do not think they are gambling is the most surprising.

Rick
Universal4

[newcustomeroffer]

even though 68% buy lottery tickets, 55% purchase scratch cards

The fact that it's 16+ to play the lottery & buy scratchcards in the UK rather than 18 probably differentiates it in some minds.

[mathematician]

I must have some Scottish blood in me as I get confused as well as to "What is gambling"

Is investing in stocks gambling for example?
Perhaps it is if you make your own picks but as soon as you give your cash to a suit and a tie who gambles on your behalf it suddenly becomes an "investment"?

Arguably many who have pensions are gamblers.
The pension firms are just gambling their cash for them in the financial markets. Pension holders make more cash if markets go up or lose cash if they go down. But perhaps havign the middle man in a suit to separate them from the coal face reduces their perception of being involved in gambling.

Insurance is another zone.
The insurer calculates the odds and cost of payout and offers you what stake he needs from you if you want to make the bet.
Normally you pay your stake and hope to lose. Who wants to be collecting on "house gets burnt down" insurance. Nor would one normally be punping fists in the air with happyness if your bet on you dying turns out a winner.


Plenty of businesses will gamble as well.
They may throw a load of cash at some new idea. Sometimes it will pay off. Others times they may lose most of it.

So many things probably best filed under the banner of "understanding risk and reward" than trying to peg labels such as gambling to them.

Conventional wisdom of labelling often makes little sense.
eg lump a load of cash on some penny stock and it is "investing"

back both sides fo a sports arbitrige opportunity for a no lose position and that may be perceived as being a heavy gambler.


I'd actually see some good in an education minister sorting out decent education in school.
eg teach them how to assess risk and reward to a reasonable degree. Soccer may be a decent zone just for catching a bit of teenager interest.
Anyone through the course may never be tempted by casino or lottery
as they would be able to see odds not in their favor etc.

It would teach risk assessment skills that are transferable to many aspects of life. But probably will never happen as politicians will be too afraid
to be seen supporting "teaching gambling to kids".

Slightly out there I know. But it is a raw idea I do with my own kids. eg Picture lunch in a pub where there is flashy fruit machine.
Like moths the kids are attracted to it. They ask..What is this daddy?" I explain that for every £1 you put in the machine will give you jsut 70p back, I ask them if they think this is a good deal or a bad deal. Given the numbers they conclude "bad"

Opportunity to take risk is everywhere in life but few leave school with much comprehension fo it all.

I feel myself waffling on yet again.
Better shoot.

Cheers
Mick

[DanHorvat]

I imagine the 39% that bet on sports and do not think they are gambling is the most surprising.

I was equally surprised when I first heard people in the UK use the term "gambling" for placing a sports bet.

Gambling, IMO, is an activity in which you're surrendering control over to lady luck and are getting your thrill from that. Gamblers generally don't enjoy betting at all. Try cross selling. Two different worlds.

While you can probably sell slots to a roulette player or vice versa, you just won't be able to make either person place a sports bet. It's not something that interests them because it's not a pure game of chance.

I know a few professional sports bettors - they aren't gambling at all. They're finding quality information and are using it against the bookmaker.

Again, people who bet on sports are reluctant to play games of chance, they think of them as dangerous and often wonder why would anyone want to do that.

How was I gambling on Kareem Hunt having over 52.5 scrimmage yards vs Steelers? Barring injury, I was/am almost certain the bet will be won. He has 34 at half time, we'll see what happens in the 2nd half.

I personally see gambling as an activity enjoyed by gamblers. And we know gamblers.
People who place sports bets will actually go to great lengths to take gambling out of the equasion, and to not depend on luck.

Buying stocks isn't gambling either because you got information you can use. No amount of information can help you predict the next roulette spin.

I just see gambling and betting as two very different activities that don't belong under the same umbrella.

[drifter8]

Gambling and betting and the wrong UK point of view I will give just my two cents :


- it betting it is all about maths, stats and possibility sth to happen or not to happen.- I used to be a Sport Betting Trader and have to agree with Dan Horvat, that people who bet on Player Pros on American Football can ruin the house of many bookies, if they allow them big exposures.

- gambling is when you are far to scared to bet big or on reasonable odds live evens or higher. Gambler is a guy, who is not determind and convincd what he do. When you go to a pokie or just try to beat the roulette with small bank in zero time - we all know what the result will be.

- When you place a bet - you know the price, I mean your own price, the price of your bet and how long will you get , until you got limited or kindly aksed to stay aways for a betting company.

- people , who bet on slots, scratch , bingo or lottery do not have any knowledge. So i.e you go with 500$ or a single bet of a 1$ or 4 $ , what wil you expect to happen? On the other hand smart unter can kill a bookie with such bank.

- one very important thins is call "inner information" ( regarding basketbaal, footbbal, baseball game or any other tennis event). In such cases you are sharper or just too dangerous for any house. What information can you have about slots or table games ?

[DanHorvat]

How was I gambling on Kareem Hunt having over 52.5 scrimmage yards vs Steelers?

Bookies were wrong to set the line at 48.5 (someone made it rise to 52.5) as this is the leading rusher from last season and the Browns are cleverly using him in the passing game, in an innovative offense that often features two RBs on the field at the same time. The man had 6 catches from 8 targets, and last season averaged 14.5 yards per catch.

So he had a poor game by his standards but still covered the 52.5 line with 58 yards. If he posted his usual averages he'd finish with 115 yards. I'll bet on him next week vs Dolphins as well, it's a no-brainer, I just hope the line stays below 65-70.

I wasn't gambling

[drifter8]

So just want to add few more :

- when you place a bet - you have followed or you are after information i.e basketball game , does not matter is it NBA or from Europe. You know something, like top players not playing, which will lead the game to a bad performance of the team. Or if LEbron is having an injury and the lines for performance of the player are not changed on an instant. Betting big on that value can lead you to limit.

- being a bettor , handicapper or punters, means that you are not gambling but mathematically you are sure what can happen. On slots , roulette, scratch or lottery , you can just throw money in the air and waiting for miracle to happen.

So let's bet. I do not like the word gambling , this is for those who stay for 24-48 hours in casinos and do not excatly now on which planet they are currently

[Pokerface]

Excellent summary and definitions. Sometimes we are too busy and close to everything to beak it down as well as you have. Thanks.