Today most people gamble either for entertainment or for the chance to become rich. Entertainment is not only the obvious playing of cards among friends or gambling in Las Vegas or Macao, but also making small bets on a sports team, or on any idea that crosses one's mind. It is possible to do the latter legally in the United Kingdom, if one finds enough people interested in the idea – see Tradesports.com, for example. Such commitment or backing of ideas with a few dollars heightens people's enthusiasm and involvement, and also helps keeping scores. It turns even boring topics into fun ones, and adds excitement to predictable games in sports, because people have a stake in the outcome.

These are games that people also play everyday and everywhere, whether betting on their favorite sports team in university dormitories or on who in the office will violate a commitment to lose weight. How often do people respond to a statement with, “Do you want to bet?”