Gambling on Animals: Fights and Races

• In Event: Assessing Environmental Harms: Introducing a New Method and Exploring Recent Empirical Studies in Green Criminology

Abstract

The intersection of green crimes and gambling on animals represents a multifaceted issue with significant implications for environmental conservation, animal welfare, and socio-economic systems. Green crimes, encompassing illegal activities that harm the environment, often intersect with practices like gambling on animals, though such activities as illegal animal fights or races. Gambling on animals serves as both a driver and a funding mechanism for these crimes, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and ecological harm. Furthermore, these activities are frequently tied to organized crime networks, amplifying their societal impact. This presentation is based on empirical data collected in my recent studies of gambling on animals, including gambling through dog fights, camel races, cockroach races, and cricket fights.

Author

• Dina Siegel, Utrecht University