Gambling in mahjong

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Gambling is the general practice of applying money to a game of chance. Mahjong has had a long history of gambling, including a wide variety of rules to increase the game's variance and increase the size of bets.

As of the 21st century, Japanese mahjong is generally turning away from its gambling roots. Mahjong competitions, such as M.League, promote a sports-like view of the game. There have also been efforts to promote "healthy mahjong" (no alcohol, no smoking, no gambling).

Disclaimer

It is noted that this wiki does not encourage gambling, but does not condemn it either. The sheer existence of gambling cannot be ignored, though.

Gambling in different countries

• In Japan, gambling is illegal. However, many mahjong parlors offer low stakes gambling. Because the stakes are so low - the fee for playing means it is extremely difficult to turn a profit - these parlors are allowed to operate. Still, as mentioned above, non-gambling mahjong has gained some traction.
• In English speaking countries, mahjong is not prevalent - in many places, it's difficult to find a venue, let alone gamble. Therefore, people interested in Japanese mahjong may see the game as an intellectual game, or "mind sport", rather than gambling. After all, if people never play the game for money, then it's hard to think of it as gambling.