Online gaming vs Online gambling 2025: Differences and overlaps
The terms “gaming” and “gambling” may sometimes be confused and used interchangeably. However, these two terms refer to different activities that have little in common. The Slotegrator team has prepared an overview of what these two terms mean, how they differ, and when they may overlap.
What is online gaming
Long story short, online gaming involves playing various video games, from multiplayer shooters to Tetris on your mobile phone.
What we need to clarify is that the main purpose of this activity is interactive entertainment. It can also involve skills development, like strategic thinking, adaptability and problem-solving. Games often contain different prizes, like in-game currency or trophies, earning which is also one of the purposes of gaming. Moreover, some individuals enjoy the social aspect, where they can communicate with teammates and build trustworthy relationships with peers online.
The financial engagement is not obligatory in this type of activity. While players can purchase game licenses or in-game items like skins or gear, there are countless video game options without any monetization available to suit every preference.
If we talk about regulations, this industry is much less controlled. Typically, countries have laws requiring developer studios to label their content according to age restrictions to avoid regulatory issues. To identify the exact restriction, many countries have rating boards like the ESRB in the US or PEGI in Europe, that evaluate games for content (violence, language, etc.) and assign an appropriate rating for its release.

What is online gambling
Playing or wagering on games of chance or skill over the internet is considered to be online gambling.
The motives are simple – risk and reward. Often people see such activities as a source of earning extra income. Plus, individuals also strive to develop skills like strategic thinking and decision-making in games of skill like poker or blackjack. Sometimes they come to feel an adrenaline rush, relieve stress, or escape from their day-to-day lives.
Unlike online gaming, financial risk is always a part of this activity, where players wager their money on sports events or games with uncertain outcomes, like roulette, slot, poker and more.
Regulations are also much tougher if we compare the gaming and gambling industries. Different countries and sometimes even different cites or states have their own licensing requirements for online casino operators. As for legal considerations, operators must obtain licenses from specific regulatory bodies, which will confirm compliance with player protection rules, the use of high-quality casino software, responsible gambling and compliance with anti-money laundering measures.
Not sure what license to choose for your iGaming business? Read the comparison of jurisdictions in our new report and choose the best option for your venture.
What is the difference between gaming and gambling
The difference between gambling and gaming becomes clear when we define the two terms. To clarify the distinction, let’s start with gambling explained through its core principles. It refers to wagering money on events with an uncertain outcome. It should always involve three elements: wagered money, an element of chance or risk, and the possibility to win a prize.
The second term, in order, refers to playing interactive computer and video games. These can be based on skills and strategies, or simply forms of entertainment.
Gambling is wagering money on games with an uncertain outcome and involves risk.
Gaming is playing interactive computer and video games.
Forms of gaming include:
- video games;
- role-playing video games;
- multiplayer online games;
- tabletop games.
Forms of gambling include:
- slots;
- card games;
- baccarat;
- lotteries;
- poker;
- roulette;
- Bingo;
- betting;
- wheel of fortune, etc.

How online gaming and gambling overlap
Despite the different nature of gaming and gambling, these two activities may sometimes overlap.
- Legalized gambling may sometimes be referred to as gaming in law.
- Esports betting is considered gambling.
Esports, or electronic sports, refers to video game tournaments and competitions. The most common video game genres are multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), first-person shooter (FPS), fighting, and real-time strategy (RTS). Among popular esports games, there are LoL, Dota 2, CS, StarCraft, and many others.
Esports is a type of gaming activity. However, when it comes to betting on esports, it falls under the gambling category, because the element of wagering money is involved. Currently, esports betting is considered one of the fastest-growing categories in iGaming and is expected to reach up to $8 billion in total wagers in 2019.
- Gambling and gaming elements are sometimes mixed.
Sometimes gaming activities introduce gambling elements. One example is the recent Diamond Casino and Resort update for GTA online. The video game has iGaming elements within the game – players have the opportunity to visit the casino and play slot machines or poker. They can use real money to purchase in-game currency and exchange it for casino chips. As a result, the new update was banned in over 50 countries.
Apart from the introduction of gambling elements to online games and games on social media, there are different possibilities of overlap:
- The cross-selling of online gambling sites to social gaming customers
- The introduction of gaming features to iGaming platforms
- The existence of similar games on social gaming resources and iGaming platforms owned by the same operator
- The gamblification of games, allowing players win items of value.
Let's take a look at this table to see how these two concepts differ — and where they overlap.
Gambling vs Gaming
Overlap | Explanation | Example |
Legal terminology | “Gaming” may legally include gambling. | Laws may treat casino-style gambling and sports betting as “gaming.” |
Esports vs. Esports Betting | Esports is gaming; betting on it is gambling. | Esports: Playing games like LoL, Dota 2, CS:GO, StarCraft.
Esports Betting: Betting money on match outcomes. |
In-game gambling elements | Some video games incorporate casino-style game mechanics that can be accessed with real or virtual currency. | GTA Online: buying in-game currency and exchanging it for casino chips. |
Cross-selling & Shared ownership | Operators cross-promote social gaming and iGaming sites. | A company owning both a social gaming site and an online casino. |
Gamblification & “Items of value” | Players can win in-game items with real-world value. | Skin betting or loot boxes in shooter games. |
Social gaming with gambling features | Certain social media games integrate gambling mechanics without being strictly regulated. | Casino-style slots (on Facebook and other digital platforms), or mobile games, using virtual credits. |
To sum up, online gaming and gambling refer to entirely different activities. However, they may sometimes overlap. The possibility of convergence between these two concepts creates a potential for new games and activities to be introduced in the future.
Is gaming another word for gambling?
Although gambling is sometimes mistakenly referred to as “gaming,” these two words have different meanings. If we compare gaming vs gambling, the first term is a broader concept, which generally means playing video games, whereas the second one involves betting money on sports events or games of chance or skill. Despite the similar terminology, they are not the same thing.
Does gaming lead to gambling?
Some researches on behavioral psychology show a correlation between gaming and betting, suggesting that playing video games may act as a risk factor for developing gambling addiction. However, that is not necessarily to be true in each case. Not every video game enjoyer is a gambler and vise versa.
Is there a correlation between gaming and gambling?
Yes, they can overlap in several ways. For example, people can bet on esports tournaments (video game competitions), some games include gambling-like features (like loot boxes), and social casino games use virtual chips but otherwise function much like traditional gambling.
Is gaming a form of gambling?
No, gambling isn’t generally considered the same as “gaming” in the traditional sense. In some jurisdictions, the term “gaming” may legally include gambling, but overall they are different activities that sometimes overlap.
Is betting considered gambling?
Yes, betting is classified as iGaming because it involves an element of chance. However, in many countries, betting is regulated separately from other casino games, since each type of iGaming can have distinct rules and licensing requirements.
What is an example of gambling-like gaming?
One prominent example is loot boxes in video games, where players purchase or earn virtual crates whose contents are determined randomly. Another example is social casino games that use virtual currency instead of real money but maintain gambling-like mechanics.
