Gambling and Gaming are Two Different Things

Gambling/Gaming; Betting/Wagering; Responsible Gaming/Problem Gambling….

By Maureen Greeley, Executive Director, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling

So many terms and so little consensus on what they really mean.  While we may think this is a new conundrum in this age of expansion of all types of gambling and gaming, the terms have coexisted for years.

Gambling is often the most familiar term for the activity of wagering on games, and Gaming is used most frequently by the gaming industry (Commercial/Tribal) for their business. Nationally and in Washington State, we see this trend – The American Gaming Association; The Washington Indian Gaming Association; Tribal Gaming Authorities; National Indian Gaming Commission, etc.   However, the State Regulatory Agency is the Washington State Gambling Commission.

At the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, “Gambling” is the preferred term for playing/wagering on games of chance. The Convergence of Gaming (Video/Role Playing/Internet/Monetized Social Casinos) and Gambling (Casinos/Lottery/Horse Racing/BINGO, etc.) are blurring those terms even more! Because ECPG strives to provide programs and services for those impacted by Gambling and Gaming, we use both terms in our Mission statement.

Let’s add yet another wrinkle:

To a question in its “Ask the Editor” section on what to call the industry of playing games online, whether role-playing or games like “Words With Friends,” AP said: “Gaming is generally used as a euphemism or synonym for gambling or wagering. Social games sector might fit better here.” (Emphasis added.)  [Columbia Journalism Review, 2024]

And, a little history from CJR and the American Gaming Association, the largest Association in the United States advocating for the Commercial Gaming Industry.

The American Gaming Association, which calls itself the “leading voice of the commercial casino industry,” challenges the belief that “gaming” is euphemistic, citing the OED, the book Fools of Fortune by James Philip Quinn, and Dictionary of Gambling and Gaming by Thomas L. Clark:

While some people assume the word gaming was created as a way to “re-invent” the casino industry, history tells a different story. The word “gaming”–defined as the action or habit of playing at games of chance for stakes–actually dates back to 1510, predating use of the word “gambling” by 265 years. The words “gambler,” “gambling” and “gamble” all were considered slang when they came into use in the 18th century, implying that the activity involved unduly high stakes. The word “gamble” was essentially considered a term of reproach, according to The Oxford English Dictionary, and would only be used by those who “condemn playing for money altogether.”

In fact, the State of Connecticut defines Gambling and Gaming this way:  What is the difference between gambling and gaming? Gambling and gaming are two different things. Gaming is when you participate in legal, state-sanctioned wagering. Gambling is when you place bets or wager at locations or online platforms that are not permitted in the State, which remains a criminal activity.

(Gambling vs Gaming – CT.gov)

So, what does this all boil down to for ECPG’s purposes?

Gambling: 

• ECPG uses the term gambling to refer to the activity of wagering on games – This can include Responsible Gambling  (ECPG’s Responsible Gambling Guidelines) as an individual or collective activity.  This does not preclude the descriptions of playing, betting, wagering, etc. from being used in copy to describe activities such as Sports Betting; placing a wager…
• Gambling is the term we use to address Problem Gambling and Gambling Disorder in prevention and treatment in general.  There are more specific terms used when Screening, Diagnosing, and Assessing, but these rarely come up in general public outreach materials.
• Gambling is the term we use for Certified Gambling Counselors and our own Washington State Gambling Counselor Certification Committee.  Watch this space… when the Gaming Disorder Certification comes to fruition, we will likely see more changes coming in terminology.
• Gambling is the term we use for any organization and/or agency whose official name includes the term (Washington State Gambling Commission; International Gambling Certification Board, etc.)

Gaming:

• ECPG uses the term gaming to refer to Industry initiatives (Commercial or Tribal) that relate to services offered – Casinos/Lottery offer games to patrons; Responsible Gaming programs are offered by industry members individually or in partnership with ECPG – thus our RG STAR Responsible Gaming Support, Training, And Resources.
• Gaming, Social Gaming, Internet Gaming, Online Gaming are terms used to describe online games whether they include a gambling component or not (at least for now – that may change in the future).
• Gaming is the term we use for any organization and/or agency whose official name includes the term (Washington Indian Gaming Association; American Gaming Association; Yakama Gaming Commission; Nooksack Tribal Gaming Agency, etc.)
• Gaming is also used in context of any general reference to addiction to video games, such as “gaming-related harms,” “Gaming Disorder,” whish is the official diagnosis used by the World Health Organization, or “Internet Gaming Disorder,” which is the tentative diagnosis used by the DSM-5.  These conditions can be applied to use of both online and offline games, or console games, games played on any device (console, computer, tablet, phone, multiplayer or solo games, and of any genre.  These diagnoses do not require that the game include any gambling-style features, and are considered to be separate conditions from other online behavioral addictions, such as the use of the internet in general, social media, pornography, or some other online activity.

Thoughts on Responsible Gambling – language, language, language. 

We are already seeing that some members of the Recovery Community are not comfortable with the term Responsible Gambling, as the thought that any gambling might be “irresponsible” could be pejorative.  We are seeing new phrases, such as “Healthy Play” and “Positive Play” start to come into our field.  ECPG is considering, and has already purchased URL for, “Well Played” for a potential initiative to launch in the near future.

The terminology we use today may very well change – several times – in the coming years as our field, and our team at ECPG, reflect on the perceptions the terms bring forward.  Do they meet our needs?  Do they represent the programs and services we offer? Do they respect the people impacted by our work?  Do they help those in need gain access to appropriate services?  It will be a constant effort on the part of ECPG to stay abreast of changes in terminology in the coming years and adapt as appropriate.