From pokies and roulette to betting at the track or a weekend football match, gambling comes in many forms. Some of these games involve a level of skill while others rely on pure chance. It’s important to know which type you’re playing and to realise that skill doesn’t mean a ‘sure bet.’

Chance

Chance-based gambling such as playing the lottery, roulette, bingo or gaming machines, is completely random and you can’t influence whether you will win or lose. All players have an equal chance of winning.

Skill

In skill-based gambling, such as betting on races and playing poker or blackjack, your ability or skill can influence whether you will win or lose. It’s important to remember however, the odds of winning are not the same for all players and the odds are always in favour of the house. Technique, knowledge or strategy can give some players an advantage over others and no matter what your skill level, there is always a large degree of chance at play, so there can never be any certainty of the outcome.

Risk

Risk is the one thing that all types of gambling have in common. The thrill of ‘taking a risk’ is a big part of the entertainment that you pay for when you gamble. The only certainty when it comes to gambling is that the result is never certain, winning is never a ’sure thing’, and losing is always a possibility.


Do yourself a favour, consider chance, skill and the risks involved before you hand over your money.

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