gambling , the betting or staking of something of value, with consciousness of risk and hope of gain, on the 4️⃣ outcome of a game, a contest, or an uncertain event whose result may be determined by chance or accident or 4️⃣ have an unexpected result by reason of the bettor’s miscalculation.

Prevalence of principal forms

A rough estimate of the amount of money 4️⃣ legally wagered annually in the world is aboutR$10 trillion (illegal gambling may exceed even this figure). In terms of total 4️⃣ turnover, lotteries are the leading form of gambling worldwide. State-licensed or state-operated lotteries expanded rapidly in Europe and the United 4️⃣ States during the late 20th century and are widely distributed throughout most of the world. Organized football (soccer) pools can 4️⃣ be found in nearly all European countries, several South American countries, Australia, and a few African and Asian countries. Most 4️⃣ of these countries also offer either state-organized or state-licensed wagering on other sporting events.

Betting on horse racing is a leading 4️⃣ form of gambling in English-speaking countries and in France. It also exists in many other countries. Wherever horse racing is 4️⃣ popular, it has usually become a major business, with its own newspapers and other periodicals, extensive statistical services, self-styled experts 4️⃣ who sell advice on how to bet, and sophisticated communication networks that furnish information to betting centres, bookmakers and their 4️⃣ employees, and workers involved with the care and breeding of horses. The same is true, to a smaller extent, of 4️⃣ dog racing. The emergence of satellite broadcasting technology has led to the creation of so-called off-track betting facilities, in which 4️⃣ bettors watch live telecasts at locations away from the racetrack.