Bird singing contest or hidden gambling?

[Finestream]

People can always make side betting if they wish to, especially if they get thrilled seeing how the competition goes. But based from my own analysis, this is too far from real gambling. This is clearly a singing contest and performance level competition, and the bird that makes the best of it out of its co-participants will eventually declared as the winner.

While other people could secretly be gambling with the results, that's also their own choice, but for me, a contest will always be a contest, it has a fixed winner and fixed prize.

[bubilas]

It seems to me that gambling has always existed and will always exist, just like money. Because there is something about gambling that attracts people. This can be explained by the belief in miracles and the fact that when we see winners, we believe that we can win a lot. And money solves all problems. Therefore, even where gambling is supposedly prohibited, there are usually analogues that help people satisfy their excitement. I remember Japan, where they play for chips that are then exchanged for real money, and this is an analog of this bird contest.

[Zigabel]

I do not consider this gambling, it's a competition just like any other you will see out there, the side bets are usually out of control, you may not even notice people do they since it is a place where gambling is prohibited, they will be very discreet about it. The entire competition it self is not gambling, it's just people participating in a competition to win a price just like we see in every other competition that we bet on gambling, nit every gambler even bet on casinos, some prefer that side bets, for them, it's far more fun than just betting in the casino regularly.

[Mahiyammahi]

I think it would not be right to associate this bird singing competition with gambling. Rather, the main focus here is on the training, care and performance of the birds. People do not participate here just relying on luck, they participate here with skill and passion.

But if there is a side here, then this matter goes into a gray zone. Then there is a real gambling feel that cannot be denied. So it can be said that a competition itself is never a part of gambling, but the activities that are based on it are a part of the gambling.

[Porfirii]

I love this kind of threads with curiosities from distant parts of the world I wouldn't know about if it wasn't for this forum!

Answering to your question, it is clear that it is some kind of contest, and while I wouldn't be so sure about the gambling nature for the participants in general, I agree that it is clear gambling when people make bets about who will be the winner, like in other activities, for example, horse racing.

Thank you again for sharing this info with us: we are learning a lot of curiosities that have to do with human culture, and not only the mechanics of gambling, which I think enriches the conversation in this board.

[Rashlyowl]

Should activities like bird singing competitions be considered gambling or just a normal contest with prizes?

It's been a long time since I last saw this competition, if I remember correctly, the last time I attended a competition like this was 3 years ago when my bros was one of the participants. Straight to my opinion, since the prizes come from collected entry fees, I think competition like this is a gambling. I realize that you are from Indonesia, just like me, I think we can agree that Indonesians will only call an activity gambling if there are cards & dice involved.

[shawonngp]

Bird signing competition is not gambling; it's clearly a contest or event. Because here everyone has to pay an entry fee, and certain contestants are awarded cash or trophies, I have participated in many such events. It is a kind of lottery to find the winner. But gambling does not require any specific entry fee; real gambling requires two gamblers, one wins and the other loses. Bird signing competition cannot be considered as gambling. Whether gambling is prohibited or legal in your country.

[Mandoy]

The op have it all wrong in in trying to claim that the contest in question is synonymous to gambling. It's like the football leagues where many teams come together to contest for the league trophy is gambling, meanwhile it's just a contest for them but the gambling aspect where people has to predict the possible outcome of the games is what it's gambling.

Or the OP might actually be seeing it as gambling because of the side bet which happens inside the event centre by those who are watching it or between those whose birds are contesting. The event itself is not gambling; those activities which are carried out which involve staking and expecting to win based on the result are what's regarded as gambling. Either the OP knows this or is viewing the gambling definition from another side.

I concur with your view and I believe the confusion is usually brought about by concurring the central event with what occurs surrounding it. A bird singing competition is just like any sports event as the owners come out with their birds according to their training and performance. It is no longer gambling in its own right. But as the spectators or participants begin to bet on the sides of the resultant, then gambling comes into play. Therefore, the gambling is the betting activity of the individuals, and the contest itself is also entertainment.

[aioc]

What do you think?
Should activities like bird singing competitions be considered gambling or just a normal contest with prizes?

It has all the elements that make it gambling-based, based on the parameters you've sent, but if the organisers did not encourage side bets, then it can be considered a contest. If there is no ticket or betting booth where you can bet on which bird will win, then it's a contest.

You did mentioned

Sometimes people make side bets on which bird will win

So it's a bet between people and not encouraged or sponsored by organisers, so this Bird singing is a contest because the organisers did not encourage betting.