Most of us are familiar with gambling. From scratch games to poker to sports betting, many of us have tried our luck at least once in hopes of winning the sum of our dreams. But do we really know as much about gambling as we think we do? Are we able to answer the most important questions? Where do these games of chance that have attracted so much attention from users for many years come from, where can you find them and most importantly, how to win a prize playing these games?
History of gambling
The origins of gambling are much older than you might think. In the Rig Veda, one of the four great sacred texts of Hinduism, the use of dice as a game of chance is mentioned as early as the second century BC. This usage was later found among the Romans. In the 13th century, the game of hazard, a game of dice, spread throughout medieval Europe, especially in Canada and England, where it was played in arcades for sometimes very high amounts of money. Hazard comes from the Arabic al-zahr, which means “at random. Today in the United States, craps, the American version of hazard, whose rules are almost identical, is played in most major casinos.
Although gambling is very old and widespread in different parts of the world, it was banned for a long time. In France, for example, gambling only came out of the blue at the end of the 19th century with the creation of the lottery. Casinos emerged from the 19th century, closely followed by the PMU and the National Lottery.
With the development of the Internet and online gaming platforms and online casinos, these games are now also available online, making them more accessible than ever to everyone. With online betting, everyone can try their luck from the comfort of their living room and play directly from their computer or smartphone.
Gambling Types – From crossword puzzles to card gambling to sports betting
Nowadays, and with the advance of online gambling that is easily accessible, there is a wide variety of gaming activities. Each game has different rules and special features. However, these can be broken down into broad categories.
Draw games: this is the lottery. Perhaps one of the oldest and most popular types of gambling. The player bets the sum of his choice on the numbers he randomly guesses as the winner by marking them on a grid.
Scratch-off games: These games are very popular and can easily be found in Canadian tobacconists, as opposed to other countries where they can be found, for example, in various street stalls. The player buys a ticket and must scratch one or more squares to find out if they have won any of the prizes on offer.
Horse Betting: This game has its origins in horse racing. One could say that this type of gambling dates back to Roman times, when runners were already competing for first place. Here the player bets the amount of his choice on the horse he thinks will win.
Sports Betting: These games consist of betting money on the outcome of a sporting event; however, for several years, users have also been able to bet on any type of game, be it the hairstyle, the champion or the game of the next day. The most popular sport in sports betting is undoubtedly football. In 2019, e.g. B. 56% of bets placed on football.
Poker: A classic casino game, poker is one of the most popular and simple card games played by multiple players. Each player bets the sum of their choice according to the cards they have in their deck. Each player tries to win the other players' chips by making the best five card combinations.
Slot Machines: These are another example of the types of gambling that can be found. By inserting a coin into a machine, a player can sometimes win (or lose) large amounts of money. Usually you have to line up the symbols on the machine to get the big prize that everyone wants.
Other Casino Games: Casinos are high risk gambling places where you can choose different games. Of course they offer slot machines like the ones already mentioned and poker games, but also various games of chance like blackjack or other card games, roulette and baccarat, or other “lucky dice” games like the mentioned hazard or dice.
Gambling in Canada: Popularity and legal framework
In Canada, the tradition of games of chance and money games is very old and goes back to the Middle Ages. Long banned and played illegally, these games were finally recognized by the state from the late 18th century and overseen by various structures, some of which still exist today, such as the PMU.
Thus, the marketing of horse betting constitutes a monopoly held by the PMU through a network of outlets throughout Canada. In addition, the casinos market table games and slot machines. After all, online gambling has boomed in recent years.
Gambling represents an important branch of the economy in Canada with more than ten thousand direct and indirect jobs and a turnover of 10.4 billion dollars in 2017. Its popularity continues to grow and the taste for these games starts early! In fact, many young people try their luck from a young age in hopes of winning the sum of their dreams. Draw or scratch games are the favorites among teenagers, followed by sports betting and casino games.
Scratch games are also the most popular among adults, followed by sports and horse betting and casino games. Participation in online gambling is also steadily increasing.
However, one question remains among gambling enthusiasts: how to get lucky while gambling? In fact, these games are random by definition and therefore their outcomes are also random. According to some, being in a positive and optimistic state of mind is enough to attract happiness. For others, certain rituals and superstitions, such as keeping pumpkin seeds in one's wallet or using lucky charms such as horseshoes or four-leaf clovers, can help cultivate greater luck. One thing is for sure, to get lucky at games you just have to start playing!
