Gambling

Gambling, also often referred to as gaming or betting, has been defined as any behavior involving the risk of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event in which the outcome of that activity is partially or totally dependent on chance or on one's ability to do something. Gambling occurs in many forms and is now widespread throughout the world, whether as a legalized or illegal activity. For example, [Page 965]lotteries are publicly operated on almost every continent, in at least 100 countries. Lottery tickets are sold at more than 240,000 locations in North America, most of which are retail outlets such as convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. Worldwide lottery sales were almost $160 billion in 2003. Legalized casinos ...