As many have already mentioned the philippines is a power in the game of pool and without a doubt they have the best player of the last 30 years(!?)
The world champion Efren Reyes as someone already mentioned it (link). Quite a character and good story as humble origins became a benchmark.
So, you think that other traditional games where you bet have that status.
What casino games are sports in your country?
In the Philippines, cock fighting has been consistently practiced by by gamblers to the point that it gets televised regularly. Though the game itself is much more of a gamble than a sport, most people view it as such. In addition, the barrier of entrance to participate in betting is easier and regulated by the government itself, which makes it truly a "sport-game" compared to most card gambling games.
...//.:::
+1
Here they also exist some spaces, sometimes are very improvised, anyway I went once and did not repeat the experience.
But I still respect it and I consider that for a large part it is true entertainment and they have a good time, so as long as everything is for recreation and healthy fun, it's fine.
Now about if this is sports...no comment.
Trying to understand your point of view...why you mention illegal gambling, it's something else...there are illegal boxing fights there are countries where gambling in any way is illegal...if a group of people gather somewhere and promote betting on any sport is illegal.
The issue here is, in any case, to ask yourself, would you play a poker tournament every Sunday for 6 months, which involves traveling, staying in hotels, being away from the family in a federative league in your country, as other sports do for the simple fact of being the number 1 or the famous phrase compete...
I commented in another post, there is no particular emphasis.
Yes it is a pity but like poker, although less with pool game there is a tendency to relate it to gray situations.
But fortunately for pool game you can always find very nice places to play even with a family atmosphere.
How do you consider Poker a skill based game and not a luck based game ?
Poker hands are completely luck based as you have no control over it. However, there is a little element of thinking and decision making, due to which some people consider it skill based.
The specific fact of a hand in poker is circumstantial, each situation that you add to the positive result of your game is what gives you the ability in the long term, in poker you lose playing well but if you understand that and apply it In each situation, always without errors, the cards you receive do not always determine your success, if not how you play your cards in every situation.