Gambling
is the wagering (or betting) of money on games of
chance. Though for many it is a form of recreation, it
can become a psychologically addictive and harmful
behavior in some people. Because of the negative
connotations of the word, casinos often use the
euphemism "gaming" to describe the recreational gambling
activities they offer. Gambling may also refer to
engaging in any high-risk behavior.
Because of the
generally negative religious view as well as various
perceived social costs, gambling is either banned or
heavily controlled (licensed) in many
jurisdictions. Consequently, gambling has long been
linked to organized crime. Conversely, the close
involvement in governments (through regulation and
gambling taxation) has led to a close connection between
many governments and gambling organizations, where legal
gambling provides much government revenue.
Gambling games are
believed to predate recorded history, with gambling
games recorded in virtually all of the ancient
civilizations.
