Is Backgammon A Gamble?

As backgammon gains market share in the online gaming field, questions continue to circulate as to the games ‘not gambling’ status.

Defined as a game of skill, rather than a game of chance, backgammon has enjoyed the luxury of operating with relative freedom compared to gaming cousin poker. However, as the games popularity grows, with plans to rival the online poker phenomenon, the natural parallel between the two sports has led some to question if indeed backgammon is a gamble.

It is no coincidence that many, if not most, poker players are also keen backgammon players as seen in the 2003 Bellagio Five Diamond World Poker Classic, where a staggering four out of six finalists were experienced backgammon professionals. Backgammon requires talent and strategy, the ability to read your opponent, and a quick mind to read the game in order to win big money. The skills and aptitudes therefore that are required of a poker player are even more essential to be a successful backgammon winner. Like poker, backgammon is also enjoying a resurgence in popularity as new players discover, and even rediscover, a classic game through the convenience of online play.

But is it a game of skill or chance? The definite answer from US law makers is that it is a game of skill together with chess and bridge. This was last put to trial in the landmark Barr vs. The State of Oregon case in 1982 when backgammon tournament director and writer Ted Barr won his case as innocent of promoting gambling as "backgammon is not a game of chance but a game of skill," concluded Judge Stephen S. Walker.

Elad Natanson, president of TC.ADS, co providers of Play65, the largest online backgammon server, agrees. “This is obviously something we have looked into very carefully, and have consulted on with a number of legal advisors. The consistent reply is that backgammon is not gambling, defined as a game of skill rather than one of chance. As such we have the support of all major credit cards and online money transfer services for online players to deposit and withdraw funds.”

With the number of online gamers growing on a daily basis, while payment options to service this market are shrinking there really could be no looking back for backgammon as the safest gamble on the Internet.


For more information, please contact:
Claire Allen
PR Director
Claire@tcads.net