Thrill and jeopardy: Top level sport or casino challenges?
For most of us, top level sport is something only to be enjoyed as a spectator. Indeed, the popularity of sporting events can be easily explained by the thrill it generates among viewers, whether or not we have a vested interest in who ultimately wins. When we have a stake in the game, of course, the jeopardy rises considerably.
Much like a visit to a casino, you could say.
Thrill and jeopardy
Attending a casino – for most of us at least – used to be a pretty rare treat. Unless, of course, you happened to live somewhere with easy access to a physical establishment. But with the proliferation of the internet and then online gaming opportunities, accessibility was no longer an issue. Suddenly, the thrill and jeopardy crackling in the air of a real life casino could be recreated online, and with dramatic improvements in gaming technology, playing virtually can now rival an in-person experience in almost every way. Add to that the opportunity to face off against almost anyone from around the world, and it’s no surprise that online gaming numbers have skyrocketed.
Numbers
The gaming numbers from around the world are staggering. The UK Gambling Commission, in its most recent report, calculated that the total gross gambling yield of the customer facing gambling industry, from year April 2024 to March 2025, stood at £16.8 billion ($22.2b).
In South Africa, real money casinos in South Africa, generated R59.3b ($3.5b) in revenue, according to the National Gambling Board—an increase of more than 25% from the previous year.
Incredible growth, and further indication of the appeal of the thrill and jeopardy of this pursuit. And those numbers are not isolated, with most jurisdictions around the world reporting similar growth. But how do we explain these numbers? It can’t just be that people love gambling. There must be something deeper in terms of the skillset this activity digs into.
Skillset
Much like those dramatic, high-profile sporting events, casino games can help cultivate a similar skillset to those professional athletes on show. Not convinced? Well, how about:
- Staying calm under pressure. With money on the table and the stakes getting higher, now is the time for a clear head. Panic could bring about a swift end, and not in your favour.
- Going in too early on a good hand will not necessarily bring about the best result. Instead, biding your time and waiting for the right moment is a skill that elite athletes perfect.
- You wouldn’t turn up for a big match as a participant with zero preparation done, would you? Much like sport, improving your performance in a casino game will involve practice over a longer period, and a steep learning curve. Of course when there is money to be won and lost, the stakes are high and not rushing ones’ development is key. Start at low levels and build yourself up. You wouldn’t throw a debutant fighter into the ring with a world champion, would you?
- Never lose concentration. No matter what the casino game, a lack of focus can prove costly. If you need a break, take a break. Recharge, refocus, and go again.
- What approach will most likely lead to victory? Chaos theory may work for some, but it rarely, if ever, is effective in high level sport. Instead, those who emerge victorious have a well thought out plan, and are able to execute that plan at the given moment. No matter what the casino game – cards, roulette, slots – a smart approach is needed. And solid preparation also means building a stake, and a limit. And that limit must never be exceeded. Which brings us to our final point.
- Understanding the right moment to stop. We’ve all witnessed it: the aging champ who fights on a little too long. The championship team who can no longer get over the line. The once great athlete trailing in among the group instead of the contenders. Knowing when to call it a day is hard. But with casino games, especially when there is real money at stake, it is vital that you know when to walk away. That might just be temporary. Or it might be longer term. But it’s as an important skill as any other when pursuing casino challenges.
Luck
Of course there will always be those who explain away all winnings at casinos as merely ‘luck’. It may be true that some games involve more luck than others, and it’s important that a skilful player always recognises when luck is the critical factor. Indeed, major losses are usually the result of the mistaken belief that it was skill that was responsible all along, rather than lady luck.
But the appeal of casino challenges, and the success that many enjoy, cannot be explained away by mere luck. Indeed, it brings to mind a famous sporting quote, attributed to legendary South African golfer Gary Player. After once being accused of being merely ‘lucky’, Player turned to the spectator and quipped “The more I work and practice, the luckier I seem to get.” 165 career wins tells the story in itself.
