How It Works

Whether you buy a lottery ticket or play poker, it’s the chance of winning that makes it fun. Like two sides of a coin, there is also the chance of losing – that’s what it means to take a risk. It’s important to know that gambling is based entirely on our inability to predict the outcome. So what do chance, player skill, and knowledge of the games have to do with it?

Skill based games: For some games it’s possible to improve your chances of winning by learning more about the game or by developing skills as a player. This is because you make decisions that can affect the outcome of the game. For example, there are different strategies for playing games like Blackjack and Poker. If you understand Blackjack strategy, you can improve your decision-making and your chances of winning.

But don’t be fooled, chance still plays a big part and the house always wins in the long run. No matter how skilled you might be, you still can’t control the hand you’re dealt. Even the best players know when it’s time to fold. Games that fall into this category include card games like Poker, Blackjack, and games that involve sports betting.

Chance games:  All the good luck charms in the world can’t affect the results of games of chance. Every roll, throw or spin has an equal chance of winning or losing. It doesn’t matter if you just lost three times in a row, or 25 times. The odds of winning don’t change. Each spin is random and independant. A ‘near win’ is as random as any other outcome. Examples of games based on chance include Roulette, slot machines, video lottery terminals, lottery tickets, and Bingo.

Charitable Gaming: Charitable Gaming is a popular method of raising funds for community and not-for-profit groups. Even though it’s for a charitable cause it’s still gambling.