In trading and collectable cards, breaking is the practice of recording or

livestreaming Livestreaming, live-streaming, or live streaming is the streaming of video or audio in real time or near real time. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature of livestreaming differentiates it from other non- liv ...

the opening or unboxing (breaking) of sealed collectable products. The product opened is often distributed to individuals who have purchased a right to receive part of the product from the individual prior to its breaking. This purchased part of the whole product is known as a "spot" and is similar to a blind bet. The practice of breaking is not officially considered gambling by many authorities, but has been noted to have the potential to create or promote a

gambling addiction Problem gambling, ludopathy, or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to DSM-5 if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological ga ...

and inherently includes aspects common to other practices that are regulated as gambling. Breaking originated in the mid-2000s from recorded shows done by New Jersey card dealer Rick Dalesandro, who went by the name Dr. Wax Battle, in which a box of sealed trading cards was opened on camera as a small part of the recorded event. The practice grew in popularity during the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

in 2020 and 2021, when many hobby shops were closed to the public. Breaking allowed for hobby shop owners to continue generating revenue, as viewers of a livestream could purchase the opened products without having to travel to the store to buy sealed

booster pack In collectible card games, digital collectible card games and collectible miniature wargames, a booster pack is a sealed package of cards or figurines, designed to add to a player's collection. A box of multiple booster packs is referred to as a ...

s. The growth of betting on breaking and the practice in general during this period was also attributed to a lack of live professional sports at the time.

References

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