The gambling industry is worth billions due to people’s growing interest in gambling activities. Thanks to innovation, in the 90s, gaming activities moved from being strictly land-based affairs to remote access via Internet casinos. For most gamblers, whether they prefer to play in-person or online, card games are among the first titles they will attempt when they enter a casino lobby.
Moreover, given the popularity of casino card games in countries like New Zealand, casino developers took things to the next level and created live casino NZ games. So, with live dealer options, players can relish card games in real time with real-life croupiers who steer the gameplay remotely from a physical casino studio.
However, not all regions globally consider enjoying card-including ways of entertainment a legal activity. The legality of card-based amusements in casinos varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and almost entirely depends on specifications and definitions outlined in the laws. Some jurisdictions have chosen to regulate card-including ways of entertainment wholly or partly, while others have passed laws that outrightly ban any form of card gaming. Here’s a closer look at how and why the legal standpoint of card games differs across different jurisdictions.
Factors Informing the Legality of Gambling Cards
Card-based amusements have always been a matter of interest in the legal world, and as a result, they have been a hot topic in legislative meetings regarding gambling. Usually, the main point of contention is whether they are activities of chance or skill, and the two schools of thought have played a huge role in legislative processes.
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Laws have been passed, declined, or tweaked to align with what side of the arguments lawmakers and populations take. The chance-skill classification of these games is often something like this:
| Skill-based | Chance-based |
| Poker | Bingo |
| Blackjack | Card Roulette |
| Gin Rummy | Baccarat |
Of course, at the end of the day, some element of luck often also plays a role in the outcomes of skill-based amusements and vice versa. Well, by and large, the main takeaways in most countries, states, and jurisdictions about the legality of card-based games are as follows:
1) Intention
Regardless of whether a country or state has regulations touching card-including amusements, gambling cards themselves are not considered illegal as they are merely a tool whose use is in the hands of the player. This boils down to the intentions of the people playing the games, and it is where the lawmakers decide what is not bona fide versus what is.
So, to determine a player’s intentions, jurisdictions may look at whether money was involved and the location where this type of games was played. Sometimes, the same exact game may dictate if the involved parties are in trouble.
In short, if a player is using gambling cards purely for entertainment and not for gambling, then the use of those cards is most likely to be legal. However, on the flip side, if the cards are being used for gambling purposes, then their use may be illegal.
2) Player Habits
Consumer protection is often central to any discussion when considering legalizing or banning certain aspects of card-based gambling. Safeguarding consumers from harm comes first for most jurisdictions and informs major decisions at law houses.
As is the norm, card-including ways of amusement come with varied rules of play, which can further be divided into online versus in-person play. Thus, the element of skill, especially in land-based contexts, is always a winning factor for proponents of legalizing card-based entertainment as it encourages players to take time to strategize before placing any bets.
3) Cultural Factors
Since card-including ways of amusement are a reflection of sociocultural practices and values, legislators often find it appropriate to leave leeway for recreational punters. This is done chiefly to allow communities to organize activities centred around fostering relationships as opposed to competitive activities.
Therefore, many activities and occasions have been planned around playing card games to serve one purpose or another. An excellent example is the National Card Playing Day, celebrated annually across different regions on December 28th, to pay homage to playing cards.
Final Verdict: Legal or Illegal?
So, in a nutshell, the legality of these cards solely relies on a range of factors that, in turn, form the context of any situation a player may find themselves in. For starters, the specific laws governing a particular jurisdiction will dictate the extent to which games can be used within its borders, if at all. This makes it paramount to be in the know as far as gambling laws and acts are concerned.
No doubt, legal casinos are always putting up measures to deter any illegal gambling activities from taking place in their establishments. Nonetheless, the player also bears part of the responsibility and ought to seek legal advice, if possible, on the legality of certain gaming activities, including card games. A quick research on individual casino operators and newly-passed legislation will save players both time and money and avoid a lot of heartaches in an activity primarily meant to entertain.
