Ask the Slot Expert: Is playing free play gambling?

Question: Recently I quit gambling. Yet, I get free play every week. That is the only thing that I plan to use in the casino. I have already used it three times and walked out without spending a penny of my own money.

I do not consider myself a gambler anymore even though I use the free play. Basically, the definition of gambling is risking something of value in exchange for something of greater value. When you play free play you do not do that. I cannot find the answer to this question anywhere online!

The question is, am I gambling if I am only playing the free play? I would say that I am not a gambler and that I am not gambling when I play the free play.

Thank you!

Answer: It seems like you're trying to split hairs here to be able to continue doing something you said you gave up. Isn't this like someone saying that he is no longer a drinker because he gave up scotch and switched to sangria?

Let's look at a legal definition of gambling. The State of Washington defines gambling as "staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the person's control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that the person or someone else will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome." (https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.46.0237)

The Law Insider site has this definition: "Gambling means staking or risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance or a future contingent event not under the actor’s control or influence, upon an agreement or understanding that he or she will receive something of value in the event of a certain outcome."" (https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/gambling)

Do you see a difference between your definition and these definitions?

Your definition said that the reward is "something of greater value."

This requirement would exclude many sports bets and the lay bets at craps. It would also exclude traditional reel-spinning multi-line machines and just about every video slot machine because they can pay back less than the amount bet. In these cases, your reward is of lesser value than the amount you have at risk.

The Wikipedia page for gambling lists three elements that must be present: consideration (an amount wagered), risk (chance), and a prize. I take issue with the second item. This requirement is defining risk as not being able to influence the outcome of the event. The other definitions above use risk to mean that you could lose something of value. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling)

(For our purposes here, let's ignore whether skill in choosing what to bet (e.g., sports betting) or in playing the game (e.g., video poker) affects whether you are gambling.)

Having something of value at stake is a requirement for gambling. If you have the ability to collect cash for your free play, then you have something of value at stake and you are gambling.

If you cannot get cash for your free play, then I would agree that you are not gambling. You are no worse off when you bet your free play and lose.

Contrast this situation with one that arises on many game shows. The contestant is given the option of taking the money won so far and walking away, or playing another game, in which the player will win more money if successful or lose some or all of their money if not.

Because the players can leave with the money, I would say they are gambling when they choose to continue playing -- although not in the legal sense when the game is not a game of chance.

Are Jeopardy contestants gambling when they wager in Final Jeopardy?

Not usually. In order to encourage aggressive wagering in Final Jeopardy, the rules were changed many years ago so only the winner wins the amount accumulated during the game. The runners-up get consolation prizes. The wager is only cash -- something of real value -- if the player wins the game.

Leaders with run-away games are gambling their Final Jeopardy wagers. Otherwise, the players are just sorta gambling because they may not necessarily lose the amount of their wagers. They may actually lose their wager and win more money than their score.

So, your bet must truly be at risk and you must be categorically worse off if you lose. This means there is no such thing as "playing with the house's money." Once you've won it, it is yours and you can take it. If you lose it, you've lost something you could have had.

You can rest assured that this situation will soon resolve itself. After two or three months of playing only the free play, the casino will stop giving you free play. Maybe even sooner if you walk out with your winnings.

Wait a minute! Let's back up here. If you continue to play until you've exhausted anything you won from the play, you are gambling according to the elements listed above. You could have left with your winnings. Unlike the free play, they have value.

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