peel the lid back just a tiny bit and you find that making a bet , ie: a one time negotiated wager beween consenting individuals is universaly illegal, but gambling is "regulated" and legal. personaly, I might take or make a bet, but refuse to gamble, even to the wholesale amazement of someone trying to gift me tickets, and declining,or the other approch'es of trying to get me to pick up some tickets, pick a number,discuss the wonders of disbursing my inevitable winnings, or in some way join in.......it's a fucked up addiction and there are people who are already rich, spending thousands ,every single week, and people with nothing ready to do ANYTHING for a ticket. yucky