Gambling means taking part in an activity or game where you risk money in order to win more money. It is mostly about chance, although some games can involve skills too. Lotteries, slot machines or bingo depend on luck, while other games, such as playing cards, require some skills and knowing how to play can influence the results. Although, a win is never guaranteed as the game involves chance, and a player has no control over the cards he or she is dealt. Even the best players can carry a losing hand. There are many types of gambling. Casino games, sports betting and state lotteries are some of the most common forms of gambling.

The obvious reason for gambling is to make money, but many people gamble for fun and entertainment. Some people gamble because of boredom or loneliness. The trouble with gambling is that it may start as a casual pastime, but can end up as an addiction. The outcome of any type of gambling is usually down to chance, so when gambling you might leave with less money than you started off with, and sometimes with nothing at all.

 Forms of gambling

There are many forms of gambling, including lotteries and scratch cards, card games like poker and blackjack, betting on sports or events, playing casino games, gambling machines or bingo. 

How to play the lottery in Hungary

In Hungary, a state owned company has exclusive rights to distribute number games, sports bets and prize draw tickets throughout the entire territory of the country and it also has interest in four Hungarian casinos. The company operates seven number draw games, such as five-number draw lottery, six-number draw lottery, Scandinavian Lotto, Joker, Keno, Luxor, and Puttó; three types of sports bets, including Toto Pools, Tippmix, and Goal Toto; and a portfolio of prize draw tickets.

Instead of the word lottery, often the word lotto is used to describe the same game. In Hungary there are two kinds of lottery: a five-number draw and a six-number draw. The five-number draw is called “Ötöslottó” and you have to select five out of 90 numbers. The TV drawings are on Saturdays. The six-number draw is called “Hatoslottó” and you have to select 6 out of 45 numbers. The TV drawings are on Sundays.

You have to mark the numbered squares on a play slip, then take the play slip to a lottery retailer. The retailer enters your selection in the on-line terminal, which produces your game ticket. The ticket, not the play slip, is the official receipt and must be presented and validated in the event of a win.

Homeless Hungarian man hits lottery jackpot with his last few coins

In September 2013, the 55-year-old László Andraschek was not only out of work, but homeless too. He used his last forints to buy a lottery ticket for a seven-number game. After choosing the numbers he didn’t hope for a lot and continued his then miserable life with not much to look forward to. The following day while waiting on the platform of the train station, he spotted his own numbers on the wall of the ticket seller’s shop! Absolutely surprised, he fell on his knees and started muttering.

I was praying for some money, but oh god, not for a fortune! My whole body was shaking, I didn’t expect 600 million! – Mr Andraschek’s life changed overnight. He rented an apartment with his wife, later bought it too and he purchased properties for all his children as well. After a while he bought the house which serves as their home now.

I rode my bike to buy a car. When the seller asked me what sort of car I had in mind, I showed him three fingers. He couldn’t believe his eyes! – Mr Andraschek’s mother passed away recently, but fortunately she had been able to share his son’s joy, even if for just a short time.

The ex-homeless millionaire does not have extravagant plans, he intends to visit his sister who lives in Canada and to buy tickets for a long cruise. While helping his relatives financially, he also plans to launch a charity focusing on those in need. His greatest passion is watching football – now (the lucky man he is) on a huge flat screen television.

Find the synonyms for the following words.

BAD HABITS/ GAMBLING – ROSSZ SZOKÁSOK/ SZERENCSEJÁTÉK

Woman: Hi Tim, I’m calling about Dad.

Man: What’s he done again?

Woman: You know he’s not been himself since Mom passed away.

Man: He was in a bad way after the funeral but I thought he’d pulled himself together.

Woman: Yes and no. He goes out more but I don’t like where he’s going.

Man: Why? What’s going on?

Woman: I found a pile of scratch cards and horse betting magazines when I went to clean up.

Man: He never was into betting.

Woman: That’s what makes me worried. All the more so because I found a stash of wine bottles in his bedroom.

Man: That’s bad. Do you think he’s been drinking?

Woman: I’m worried because those bookies can take advantage of people, especially when they are not sober. And what if he gets mugged or worse?

Man: Let’s call Uncle Bill. His best mate surely knows what’s happening.

Woman: He must be terribly lonely. Why don’t you take him out at the weekend?

Man: We could go to see a match. Our team’s playing.

Woman: Great idea. And then go to the pub. You could talk to him, man-to-man.

Man: I’m not very comfortable with this. But I’ll try my best.

IMPORTANT PHRASES

I’m calling about Dad. – Apa miatt telefonálok.

What’s he done again? – Már megint mit csinált?

He’s not been himself since Mom passed away. – Nem önmaga, amióta anya meghalt.

Yes and no. – Igen is, meg nem is.

What’s going on? – Mi történik?

That’s what makes me worried. – Pont emiatt aggódom.

Do you think he’s been drinking? – Szerinted iszik?

And what if he gets mugged or worse? – És ha kirabolják, vagy valami rosszabb történik?

Why don’t you take him out at the weekend? – Miért nem viszed el valahova hétvégén?

You could talk to him, man-to-man. – Beszélhetnél vele, mint férfi a férfival.

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