In Australia, gambling is a socially accepted behaviour, actively encouraged through more than $287 million dollars of advertising spending per year, and a source of more than seven billion dollars of revenue per year for governments. Gambling revenue for sporting bodies is also significant although exact figures are hard to obtain. Culturally, gambling behaviours are celebrated, ritualised, and even mythologised.
‘Tipping’ is a worldwide phenomena but has special significance in Australian culture. Tipping involves sharing what we know with others, and potentially being rewarded with their praise and gratitude, gifts, or financial ‘slings’. Everyone loves a good tip. We often share tips with our friends in hushed tones, and with restrained excitement. Often the tip itself and the lead up to the race or event is more enjoyable than the win. Gambling and tipping is as much about the shared cultural activity as it is the money. It is part of our identities and influences how we feel about ourselves. It is possible to lose money gambling, yet still derive positive self-esteem from the activity. Many of us identify strongly with our perceived skills in forecasting results.
