The reason for the prohibition of the games of Baloot and Karim, and the criterion for games

Question:
The questioner asks: What is the operative cause for the prohibition of the games of Baloot and Karim? And what is the criterion for the permissibility of games or their impermissibility?

Answer:
A rational person avoids games because he was created to worship Allah and to be serious and strive in work that is beneficial for his religion and his worldly life. He leaves off play and amusement. This is what is fitting for the believer and for people of sound mind. Karim and competitions for which prizes are taken, all of these are gambling. These are gambling, consuming wealth unjustly. All forms of competing and all competitions are consuming wealth unjustly, except for what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) excluded, which is taking prizes for horse racing, camel racing, and archery These three matters are an exception because they are jihad in the cause of Allah and training for jihad in the cause of Allah. As for competitions that do not aid in jihad in the cause of Allah, they are consuming people's wealth unjustly, and they are gambling. They are gambling, yes.