1. There is no poll here because this a prescriptive discussion, not a description discussion.
2. This is only to open the discussion to the topic. It is not to imply that magic is a form of gambling and other outcome that would come a long with such a labeling. (Such as illegalization, age restriction.)
An extension of such a topic would also be about if yes to the above question then what of it and to also be fair if no then what kind of precedence would that establish?
I don't really feel competitive magic is a form of gambling, you are paying to play in a tournament and there are cash prizes but, you are paying primarilly for the overhead of the tournament.
To say competitive magic's prize structure is gambling is to imply things such as pro golf (which uses a similar prize model) is also gambling.
Of course the German government disagrees
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Current Decks
Standard BEtched Champion/InfectB WSoilders/knightsW WUVenser SplicerWU RRDWR GFeed the Pack comboG WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH GEzuri, Elf OverrunG BGeth, GraverobberB UThada Adel, ThiefU RUrabrask, Big RedR WElesh Norn, CrusadeW WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Gambling is wagering money on an outcome. In tournament, the entrance fee is an entrance fee, something to cover the cost of holding the tournament*, not a wager (you are not "betting your money").
*in the case of wizards held-events, like GPs or PTQs, the entrance fee doesn't even cover the price of the rental of the venue, much less the prizes involved, or the fees/flight arrangements of the artists, judges, and pros that show up. The bulk of the cost is shouldered by wizards, because, like I said, competitive magic is an advertisement.
However, I won't deny that there are tournaments where the entrance fee is directly connected to the prize structure. Yes, in those cases, I'd say it is gambling. However, tournaments held by wizards themselves are not such a case.
Sealed/draft is kind've like gambling in construction, but not really.
Constructed tournaments are no more gambling than a tournament for literally anything else. There are always entrance fees. You pay money to play, you don't pay money to potentially win anything. Since magic, and any other tournament level competitive anything is based on skill, your paying into the tournament doesn't earn you any chance at all at any prize, it simply allows you in the tournament to begin with. it's your own skill (and some luck of the draw in magic's case) that actually get you that prize.
I believe there is a legal definition of "game of chance" vs "game of skill". Poker falls firmly into the former, chess into the latter. A lot of it would come down to how much variance actually matters in magic. Less then poker, for sure, but also more then chess. It's a reasonably ambiguous line.
Probably, to some extent, competitive magic is still a form of gambling, this is my opinion. Perhaps someone will disagree with me, but everyone has their own opinion on this matter. The only unique and useful game for me is Counter Strike, and I'll explain why. There is a website https://csgobettings.com/csgoempire-referral-codes/ where I use various top betting platforms and thus make a living. It also makes a lot of money, so it means a lot to me. I advise everyone to try their luck.
Short answer: No. Gambling refers to games of chance and luck. Very rarely are games of skill classified as gambling (Poker being an example.) While chance does factor into every game of Magic, skill vastly outweighs chance on the outcome of 99% of games.
Long Answer: Sure you could argue that’s it gambling as any endeavor in which you risk money or capital to earn more money or capital could be considered “gambling.” Magic, poker, investing, starting a business, fantasy sports, flipping real estate, and thousands of other actions are inherently a “gamble” as actions outside of your control can positively or negatively effect your position.
Is competitive Magic “gambling” in the strictest version of the term? Nope....
2. This is only to open the discussion to the topic. It is not to imply that magic is a form of gambling and other outcome that would come a long with such a labeling. (Such as illegalization, age restriction.)
An extension of such a topic would also be about if yes to the above question then what of it and to also be fair if no then what kind of precedence would that establish?
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To say competitive magic's prize structure is gambling is to imply things such as pro golf (which uses a similar prize model) is also gambling.
Of course the German government disagrees
BEtched Champion/InfectB
WSoilders/knightsW
WUVenser SplicerWU
RRDWR
GFeed the Pack comboG
WUPool of ExhaustionWU
EDH
GEzuri, Elf OverrunG
BGeth, GraverobberB
UThada Adel, ThiefU
RUrabrask, Big RedR
WElesh Norn, CrusadeW
WUGAngus Makenzie, Bant ControlWUG
Extended
WGElvesWG
Legacy
RGoblinsR
UBGFariesUBG
UBGRaffinityUBG
Gambling is wagering money on an outcome. In tournament, the entrance fee is an entrance fee, something to cover the cost of holding the tournament*, not a wager (you are not "betting your money").
*in the case of wizards held-events, like GPs or PTQs, the entrance fee doesn't even cover the price of the rental of the venue, much less the prizes involved, or the fees/flight arrangements of the artists, judges, and pros that show up. The bulk of the cost is shouldered by wizards, because, like I said, competitive magic is an advertisement.
However, I won't deny that there are tournaments where the entrance fee is directly connected to the prize structure. Yes, in those cases, I'd say it is gambling. However, tournaments held by wizards themselves are not such a case.
"Sometimes, the situation is outracing a threat, sometimes it's ignoring it, and sometimes it involves sideboarding in 4x Hope//Pray." --Doug Linn
Constructed tournaments are no more gambling than a tournament for literally anything else. There are always entrance fees. You pay money to play, you don't pay money to potentially win anything. Since magic, and any other tournament level competitive anything is based on skill, your paying into the tournament doesn't earn you any chance at all at any prize, it simply allows you in the tournament to begin with. it's your own skill (and some luck of the draw in magic's case) that actually get you that prize.
Long Answer: Sure you could argue that’s it gambling as any endeavor in which you risk money or capital to earn more money or capital could be considered “gambling.” Magic, poker, investing, starting a business, fantasy sports, flipping real estate, and thousands of other actions are inherently a “gamble” as actions outside of your control can positively or negatively effect your position.
Is competitive Magic “gambling” in the strictest version of the term? Nope....
Currently Playing:
Multiplayer EDH Lists (click italics for a link to the thread!)
[Primer] Lord of Tresserhorn - Don't Tell Me What I Can't Do[Primer] Roon of the Hidden Realm - Rhino Blink
5 Color Tribal Guide (Slivers, Atogs, Allies, Spirits)
Also Playing (most decklists can be found on my profile)
MarathGeistKamahlGrenzoBolasThassaGitrog
PiratesZurVial Smasher&ThrasiosYennettJhoira(cEDH)Strix(Pauper)
Legacy: Maverick
Modern:
Melira PodRIP 1/19/15GWHatebears