Birth of Gambling 101

The history of gambling is as old as human existence on earth. Homo Sapiens have always been fond of gaming. Gaming or gambling was a part of primeval man’s life too.
The primary reasons to gamble in those times were amusement, utility and pleasing the deities. As human rationality and advancement enhanced with time, gaming became a source to make money. In today’s era gambling is taken up with an aim to flourish; the gambling industry is known for making many millionaires across the globe.

However, gambling had originated differently in different parts of the world. Most often Greeks are accredited to be its forerunners as well as proponents. Greek history and Biblical references reveal that gambling was the cherished pastime of ancient Greeks especially the Greek gods.
They had a passion to play games of chance. Some legendary stories posit the Greek goddess Fortune (the daughter of Zeus and the goddess of Chance, Tycho) as the creator of games of chance. Her obsession with gambling made her built separate rooms and even buildings to play.
This very concept of private places to game led to the development of modern day casinos in Europe.

Greeks were particularly crazy for dice games. But dice games were considered sacrosanct. Greeks believed that the dice output was the voice of god.
For them god used to answer to their queries via the dice. So, dice games were more than just games for entertainment, they largely were part of a tradition or rituals with which Greeks had associated tremendous values. The Greeks used special cups to roll and throw the dice.
Their winner used to be the one who acquired the highest score by rolling the dice.

Apart from dice, Europe is the mother of several other games of chance. Europeans started enjoying the profits accrued through the gaming industry. Prince Charles III due to his fascination for gaming built many wonderful casinos.
Europe had the first casino in the world. This exhibits the enthusiasm of Europeans to try their luck at games of chance.
Today European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland etc. are evergreen tourist spots to gamble. They invite the gambling aficionados from every nook of the world.

Since even in earlier days gaming was prevalent everywhere, Native Americans too had their specific likings for it. Gaming existed in America much before the Europeans landed here. But there were slight variations.
For instance, Native Americans did not play with a competitive spirit. The main aims were entertainment and to earn things of utility through it. Gaming was taken in a spirit where relishing the game was considered superior to winning and losing it.
In some tribes games were played with the sole purpose of earning a living.

The situation was infested with the coming of Europeans. They preached and brought to light the wealth aspect of gaming. Europeans introduced lotteries in America.
Lotteries were a fruitful resource for them to gain huge revenue. The revenue so collected served as an aid in the maintenance of colonies. The Europeans made it mandatory for possibly everyone to play lottery as a civic duty.

Europeans especially the French brought in many new games in America such as craps, roulette and card games.

Things were never the same after that in America. The country saw the rise of numerous forms of gaming in its different states. Many new casinos were built which till date have the potential to lure any and every visitor who goes there.
Nevada, a place in America got gambling legalized after cumbersome debate.

Mansi aggarwal writes about the birth of gambling. Learn more at http://www.birthofgaming.com

Mansi Aggarwal