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Pen & Paper Roleplaying Central => Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion => Topic started by: Spinachcat on February 28, 2018, 02:03:04 AM

Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Spinachcat on February 28, 2018, 02:03:04 AM
SCOTUS (supreme court of the united states) is going to rule on a landmark case regarding online gambling by July.
https://www.legalsportsreport.com/18662/decision-in-nj-sports-betting-case/

The case is about gambling on "games of skill" which are technically legal-ish (aka DraftKings) in some parts of the USA.

Boardgames and war games are certainly games of skill, as are many video games. Mark Cuban of Shark Tank is involved in an e-sports betting startup, aka gambling on first person shooters could become a thing.

If this happens...as we swim every deeper into our cyperpunk dystopia...do you feel there could be any market for gambling on D&D games?

AKA, if there are already people watching others play D&D, I wonder how long until someone starts tossing down a bet?
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Gronan of Simmerya on February 28, 2018, 02:08:19 AM
"$50 on a TPK within 2 hours."
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: jeff37923 on February 28, 2018, 02:16:46 AM
"I'm pretty sure that Harold is a ringer for the Mob, since he always plays Kender...."
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: happyhermit on February 28, 2018, 02:50:33 AM
Competitive rpg play seems, if not well and truly dead, then at least virtually non-existent online. Watching people play D&D has exploded, obviously, but the types of games being run seem to be about the worst possible thing on earth to bet on.
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: finarvyn on February 28, 2018, 06:38:36 AM
Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1027307"$50 on a TPK within 2 hours."
A really good DM could get that TPK in less than 10 minutes! ;)
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on February 28, 2018, 08:27:59 AM
I think it would be so easy to rig the results of an RPG, that people would be wary of placing bets on outcomes. There is a competitive RPG called Conflict (full disclosure I was involved in some of the early flavor text writing for it) and I could see a system like that being utilized here.
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: jeff37923 on February 28, 2018, 08:46:28 AM
What if instead of a RPG, it was a LARP?
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Bedrockbrendan on February 28, 2018, 09:45:34 AM
Quote from: jeff37923;1027340What if instead of a RPG, it was a LARP?

I haven't done LARP. Are the rules as reliable as a sport when it comes to stuff like combat?
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Omega on February 28, 2018, 10:25:01 AM
According to a few folk on other fora there are a few countries or provinces within them that have laws banning RPGs from for example Colleges as it is deemed to be gambling.
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Krimson on February 28, 2018, 06:27:24 PM
Quote from: finarvyn;1027327A really good DM could get that TPK in less than 10 minutes! ;)

While having the party fight house cats. :D
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Baron Opal on March 03, 2018, 04:33:20 PM
Successfully combine Overwatch with Hado, and you better believe there will be betting on it.
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Skarg on March 03, 2018, 07:38:15 PM
You could do it with TFT or GURPS arena combats, since those are defined nearly as well as solid wargames and require little if any GM ruling on anything.

For adventure situations, the outcome depends a lot on the GM's rulings and/or what players decide to do, etc. I could see someone doing friendly bets on weird things, or some mean arcane con involving the collusion of the GM and contriving to fool someone into thinking it's a spur-of-the-moment bet.
Title: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: RPGPundit on March 05, 2018, 12:35:13 AM
I don't think so. You'd either need to use a computer, or a system that is completely controlled by rules and rolls with ZERO room for GM interpretation. Otherwise I don't think it would work; and of course if you do the above, it's not really an RPG anymore.

Now, wargaming, on the other hand, might just work.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: HavenWatts on April 01, 2023, 03:21:50 AM
How will the gambling world develop?
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: jmarso on April 01, 2023, 03:25:19 AM
I don't think anyone who ever watched a full session of DnD would ever want to gamble money on it.

That said, if you are going to bet, bet on the DM!  ;D
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: David Johansen on April 01, 2023, 09:43:26 PM
Betting pools on how long the first level magic user lasts.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: jenkinslord on April 03, 2023, 05:00:28 AM
Board games, war games, and video games definitely require skill, so it makes sense. But gambling on D&D games?! That's a whole new level. I mean, people already love watching others play D&D, so why not throw down a bet and make it even more exciting? If this becomes a reality, I could see it being a thing on some of the best low minimum deposit casinos (https://montycasinos.com/low-deposit/) out there. Imagine rolling a critical hit and winning some sweet cash on the side. It's a unique concept, but who knows? It could catch on. Either way, it'll be interesting to see how the SCOTUS ruling goes and how it impacts the gambling world. In the meantime, I'm gonna go practice my D&D skills just in case.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: KylerWilkinson on April 06, 2023, 02:00:10 AM
No one can predict the future of the gambling industry or the popularity of gambling on specific games or activities. However, it's important to note that the legality of gambling on games of skill, including e-sports and tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, can vary depending on your location and other factors.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Baron on April 06, 2023, 02:21:57 AM
"A hundred quatloos on the newcomers!"
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Theory of Games on April 06, 2023, 09:37:30 AM
Oh yeah. Sold:

* Pay per View

* Celebrity GMs Ernie Gygax and RPG Pundit (Vegas goes NuTSRiiiiight)

* Celebrity Players (gotta have Ye 'Kanye' West playing YEself the 50th-Level Quarter-Faerie Bard! Aaaaand former High Priestess of TSR, Lorraine Williams!! Up next you all know him from Mortal Kombat 9 - itsssss Matt Mercerrrr!! She's canceled FIVE WOTC video game projects this year and the hits just KEEP COMING - coming from a webinar near you WOTC's reigning High Priestess, LorCynthia Williams!! And finally playing that trans-POC hireling horde from your favorite cafe - EVERY GAME DESIGNER FIRED BY WOTC!!

* Distinguished BBEG Superstar former Canadian President Melllll Gibson!!! *fireworks* *Critical Hits dancers* *dragons in drag*

*Special Musical Guests GWAR! BOB DYLAN! SLAYER! OASIS! AND THE HEE-HAW ALLSTARS!!

And now the Master of Ceremonies, the FATAL One himself: ZAK SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS *buckets of fiery blood pour down onto audience* *Theme song from the Dungeon & Dragons cartoon blaring* *Critical Hits dancers*

early access: $499!  Day of: $999!  Afterparty @ the Lake Geneva D&D Restaurant: 1299!
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: jhkim on April 06, 2023, 01:10:22 PM
Quote from: jenkinslord on April 03, 2023, 05:00:28 AM
Board games, war games, and video games definitely require skill, so it makes sense. But gambling on D&D games?! That's a whole new level. I mean, people already love watching others play D&D, so why not throw down a bet and make it even more exciting? If this becomes a reality, I could see it being a thing on some of the best low minimum deposit casinos (https://montycasinos.com/low-deposit/) out there. Imagine rolling a critical hit and winning some sweet cash on the side. It's a unique concept, but who knows? It could catch on.

I think people here don't remember the era of D&D tournaments in the 1970s and 1980s. You can find tournament scoring rules in a bunch of the early modules, which were used at conventions to see which players advanced to the second round.

I never liked that side of things, but it was influential for a time.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: JaggerMccullough on September 01, 2023, 04:53:49 AM
Gambling on D&D games sounds like a unique twist – taking risks in a fantasy world. Just remember, it's all in good fun and staying within limits. By the way, have you ever looked into cash app rewards (https://joywallet.com/article/legit-cash-games/)? Some legit apps offer rewards that can be pretty neat, making your gaming experiences even more rewarding.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Scooter on September 01, 2023, 10:55:36 AM
No, there isn't any significant market for this.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: MckenzieMathis on December 28, 2023, 02:20:56 AM
Seriously though, it's fascinating how gaming has evolved. I guess if folks can bet on chess, why not D&D? Adds a whole new layer of excitement. I can already picture the table drama when someone pulls off an epic spell or fumbles a critical roll. As for the casino online mention, it's intriguing to think about D&D finding its way into the world of online live casinos. Can you imagine participating in a campaign where your wizardly skills earn you some extra gold on the side? It's like leveling up in real life! I'm new here, just rolled my first character a few weeks back. Still getting the hang of things, but the idea of a best online live casino (https://bonusbet.com/casino/live_casino) incorporating D&D has me hyped! Any veterans got tips for a newbie like me?
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Socratic-DM on December 28, 2023, 04:08:07 PM
Even Gary Gyax and TSR at it's height couldn't get competitive RPGs off the ground. literally made both AD&D and second  speaking out of both sides of it's mouth trying to chase that concept and it still flopped.

You wouldn't suspect it'd be that hard, as the overwhelming majority of PF2 and 5E videos I've seen are some white room theory crafting about best spell selection or some nonsense like that. And that a good sector of the D&D fanbase is purely devoted to the combat/stat side of things.


What I can see happening is this applying for Wargames.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: rytrasmi on December 28, 2023, 04:22:10 PM
Turing play into work...no thanks.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Cathode Ray on December 28, 2023, 07:39:39 PM
Quote from: Skarg on March 03, 2018, 07:38:15 PM
You could do it with TFT or GURPS arena combats, since those are defined nearly as well as solid wargames and require little if any GM ruling on anything.

For adventure situations, the outcome depends a lot on the GM's rulings and/or what players decide to do, etc. I could see someone doing friendly bets on weird things, or some mean arcane con involving the collusion of the GM and contriving to fool someone into thinking it's a spur-of-the-moment bet.

I agree: TFT is perfect.  In fact, in my TFT games, new characters are often forced to start as slaves who earn their freedom through gladiatorial combat, or die in the process.  They fight in a hex map I designed as an arena where NPCs gather and bet on the outcomes.  Perfect setting for spectators of such a game online to also bet IRL on the outcomes.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Jam The MF on December 28, 2023, 11:33:34 PM
Quote from: Krimson on February 28, 2018, 06:27:24 PM
Quote from: finarvyn;1027327A really good DM could get that TPK in less than 10 minutes! ;)

While having the party fight house cats. :D

No, a pack of Chihuahuas!!!
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: pawsplay on December 29, 2023, 06:48:41 PM
Funny story, Gygax was approached about D&D appearing in E.T., but wasn't given much of the script to look at. Based on the scene having money on the table while they were playing, Gygax was worried that it would look like it was a gambling game, and declined.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: yosemitemike on December 29, 2023, 07:38:53 PM
I have trouble picturing many people gambling on something as loosey-goosey as D&D.  It would be really easy to rig it and, with money now on the line, people would.  I don't see the appeal either but I didn't get tournament D&D back in the day and I don't get watching other people play now.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Thondor on December 30, 2023, 09:08:44 PM
Quote from: jhkim on April 06, 2023, 01:10:22 PM
Quote from: jenkinslord on April 03, 2023, 05:00:28 AM
Board games, war games, and video games definitely require skill, so it makes sense. But gambling on D&D games?! That's a whole new level. I mean, people already love watching others play D&D, so why not throw down a bet and make it even more exciting? If this becomes a reality, I could see it being a thing on some of the best low minimum deposit casinos (https://montycasinos.com/low-deposit/) out there. Imagine rolling a critical hit and winning some sweet cash on the side. It's a unique concept, but who knows? It could catch on.

I think people here don't remember the era of D&D tournaments in the 1970s and 1980s. You can find tournament scoring rules in a bunch of the early modules, which were used at conventions to see which players advanced to the second round.

I never liked that side of things, but it was influential for a time.

Expeditious Retreat Press did a few tournament modules (https://composedreamgames.com/marketplace/index.php?route=product/search&tag=tournament), usually for GenCon. Stonesky Delve (2010), Obsidian Sands of Syncrates (2011), I feel like there's another one that I can't identify. Scorings based on how much area's explored in Stonesky with a penalty for lost PCs.

One of the nice things about these is they have pre-made PCs in them so you can just grab them and run. I used the pre-gens from G1 when I ran XRP's "G4" The Aerie of the Cloud Giant Strategos (https://composedreamgames.com/marketplace/Aerie-of-the-Cloud-Giant-Strategos).

I'd be interested to know if anyone here played in any tournament games with scoring!
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: yosemitemike on December 30, 2023, 11:30:36 PM
Quote from: Thondor on December 30, 2023, 09:08:44 PM
I'd be interested to know if anyone here played in any tournament games with scoring!

I did but it was a really long time ago.  Paizo did something sort of like this with the seasonal special scenarios.  They were mainly for conventions but any venue could do it if you had at least 4 tables running at once.  I ran one of the tables for Race for the Runecarved Key.  There was a scoring system and the winning team got a replica of the key.  I think they got a special chronicle sheet too.  It has been several years since then.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Digitalelf on December 31, 2023, 12:56:28 AM
The X-Files had an episode where the "Lone Gunmen" were engaged in a "high stakes game of D&D" in which they were gambling on what looked to be the "to hit roll". Though it didn't actually say or show, it was the mid 1990's so the edition was probably AD&D 2nd Edition.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: yosemitemike on December 31, 2023, 01:02:21 AM
Quote from: Digitalelf on December 31, 2023, 12:56:28 AM
The X-Files had an episode where the "Lone Gunmen" were engaged in a "high stakes game of D&D" in which they were gambling on what looked to be the "to hit roll". Though it didn't actually say or show, it was the mid 1990's so the edition was probably AD&D 2nd Edition.

That didn't make any sense to me even at the time.  I remember when the character said that and I blurted out "oh fuck off".  It came across as something written by a writer who has heard of D&D but has no idea what it actually is.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Digitalelf on December 31, 2023, 01:13:00 AM
Quote from: yosemitemike on December 31, 2023, 01:02:21 AMThat didn't make any sense to me even at the time.  I remember when the character said that and I blurted out "oh fuck off".  It came across as something written by a writer who has heard of D&D but has no idea what it actually is.

LOL... I didn't say it made since!  Just that it existed. ;D
But yeah, the writers probably wanted those three characters to be a part of "geek culture" but had no idea what that actually looked like in the real world.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Venka on December 31, 2023, 07:20:07 PM
If it was a well defined scenario and ruleset, I could see how gambling might make sense. But it would need to be certain snippets.  Honestly, I think the only D&D game that would make sense in this context would be, "gamble on the result of this given fight" with the stuff made public... and the version number equal to 4, because that is moooostly a wargame, or at least, close enough that the rules are fully defined.

Speaking of, I could totally see betting on like, Warhammer.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Mishihari on January 08, 2024, 01:27:19 AM
I'll join the others saying that it wouldn't work because it would be entirely too easy to fix.  It would be like betting on a WWF match
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Dadjahant on January 29, 2024, 08:43:03 AM
 Amidst the creativity of orchestrating memorable experiences, this online casino has become a thrilling escape. The diverse range of games stirs up emotions akin to the excitement I strive to evoke in my events.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Aglondir on January 29, 2024, 03:21:31 PM
Quote from: Dadjahant on January 29, 2024, 08:43:03 AM
Amidst the creativity of orchestrating memorable experiences, this online casino has become a thrilling escape. The diverse range of games stirs up emotions akin to the excitement I strive to evoke in my events.

Which online casino?
Can you explain more about the diverse range of role-palying games it has?
And please elaborate on your events!
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Ruprecht on February 01, 2024, 01:33:18 PM
The only way it would work is some kind of fantasy football scenario where you but on how many hits or damage specific PCs take and create your team out of a number of PCs from different online games. But the players would have to play consistently each week for it to make any sense and it still seems like it would be such a small number of folks interested as to be pointless.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Ruprecht on February 01, 2024, 01:34:13 PM
Quote from: pawsplay on December 29, 2023, 06:48:41 PM
Funny story, Gygax was approached about D&D appearing in E.T., but wasn't given much of the script to look at. Based on the scene having money on the table while they were playing, Gygax was worried that it would look like it was a gambling game, and declined.
I'm not sure I get it because they had D&D in the opening scene of E.T.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: OebDowns on March 26, 2024, 08:58:00 AM
The SCOTUS ruling on online gambling is sending ripples through the gaming world! The focus on "games of skill" opens up intriguing possibilities. Now, considering D&D in the mix, it's a fascinating idea! I've seen the rise of e-sports betting, and it's wild. If people already watch others play D&D, why not spice it up a bit? It might seem like a leap, but D&D gambling could be the next frontier in the gaming industry. Speaking of betting and gambling, what is the best online casino in the USA (https://us.onlinegamblers.com/), in your opinion? I want to try my luck in gambling, and I will be grateful if you share your experience!
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: Nakana on March 26, 2024, 07:30:58 PM
I don't see this ever really taking off, but if I were to gamble on rpgs it would be dice-centric that the players or GM couldn't skew. I bet they roll a fumble this round, or a crit this encounter, etc.
Title: Re: Gambling on D&D games?
Post by: VengerSatanis on March 26, 2024, 07:41:33 PM
Quote from: Spinachcat on February 28, 2018, 02:03:04 AM
SCOTUS (supreme court of the united states) is going to rule on a landmark case regarding online gambling by July.
https://www.legalsportsreport.com/18662/decision-in-nj-sports-betting-case/ (https://www.legalsportsreport.com/18662/decision-in-nj-sports-betting-case/)

The case is about gambling on "games of skill" which are technically legal-ish (aka DraftKings) in some parts of the USA.

Boardgames and war games are certainly games of skill, as are many video games. Mark Cuban of Shark Tank is involved in an e-sports betting startup, aka gambling on first person shooters could become a thing.

If this happens...as we swim every deeper into our cyperpunk dystopia...do you feel there could be any market for gambling on D&D games?

AKA, if there are already people watching others play D&D, I wonder how long until someone starts tossing down a bet?

Long ago, I chose RPGs over poker... and that decision was made easier when playing online was deemed illegal by the federal government.  So, I'm actually excited by the prospect of that bullshit being overturned just for the Texas Hold'em alone!  Sure, there's luck involved... but poker is a skill game, same goes with RPGs.