Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“Gambling” ESL Discussion Questions

I. Understanding Gambling
1. What is gambling?
2. How does gambling work?
3. Can you name some types of gambling?
4. Is gambling legal in your country?
5. Why do people gamble?

II. Personal Experiences with Gambling
6. Have you ever gambled? If so, what did you play?
7. Do you know anyone who gambles frequently?
8. What was your biggest win or loss in gambling?
9. How did you feel after gambling?
10. Have you ever regretted gambling?

III. Gambling and Society
11. How does gambling affect society?
12. Should gambling be advertised on TV?
13. Can gambling be a good way to raise money for charity?
14. Do you think gambling is a problem in your community?
15. How can we help people who are addicted to gambling?

IV. The Ethics of Gambling
16. Is it ethical for governments to profit from gambling?
17. Should children be exposed to gambling, such as in video games?
18. Can gambling be considered a form of entertainment?
19. Is it fair that gambling companies make money from people’s losses?
20. Should there be a limit to how much one can gamble?

V. Gambling and Money
21. How much money do you think is okay to spend on gambling?
22. Should people use their savings to gamble?
23. Why do some people go into debt due to gambling?
24. Do you think gambling can be a career?
25. How does gambling affect a person’s financial health?

VI. Online Gambling
26. What is online gambling?
27. Do you think online gambling is more dangerous than casino gambling?
28. How can people stay safe when gambling online?
29. Have you ever tried online gambling?
30. What are the differences between online gambling and traditional gambling?

VII. Casinos
31. Have you ever visited a casino?
32. What games can you play in a casino?
33. How do casinos make money?
34. Should casinos have age restrictions?
35. What is the atmosphere like in a casino?

VIII. The Psychology of Gambling
36. Why is gambling addictive?
37. How does gambling make people feel?
38. What makes someone a compulsive gambler?
39. Can gambling affect mental health?
40. How can someone stop gambling if they are addicted?

IX. Gambling and Luck
41. Do you believe in luck when it comes to gambling?
42. Have you ever worn a lucky charm or done a ritual before gambling?
43. Can skill be more important than luck in some games?
44. How do you know if a game is based on luck or skill?
45. Do you think some people are luckier than others in gambling?

X. Sports Betting
46. What is sports betting?
47. Is betting on sports very popular in your country?
48. Have you ever bet on a sports game?
49. Should athletes be allowed to bet on their own games?
50. How does sports betting affect the integrity of sports?

XI. The Impact of Gambling on Relationships
51. Can gambling affect family relationships?
52. Should couples share their gambling winnings or losses?
53. How should you deal with a partner who has a gambling problem?
54. Can gambling lead to trust issues in relationships?
55. What advice would you give to a friend who gambles too much?

XII. Gambling in the Media
56. How is gambling portrayed in movies and TV shows?
57. Do you think media influences people’s attitudes towards gambling?
58. Can gambling in video games lead to real-life gambling problems?
59. Should there be warnings about gambling in media content?
60. How do gambling advertisements affect people’s desire to gamble?