Gambling History
The complete history of gambling would need to be condensed into several books, if we were to examine every aspect of the game, including such elements as gambling legislation and modern day, professional circuit gambling. In short, if we were to examine every bill that was either annexed or approved in every country where gambling is either permitted or banned – which we would need to do in order to offer a complete history of gambling – we would simply reveal a continuation in modern jargon of the endless struggle that gambling has faced since its manifestation in human affairs. Rather, the following historical account details how gambling has fared in the largest and most prosperous civilizations in the world; Even more importantly, it will show where gambling stands in today’s current age, hopefully shedding light on how best to preserve this universal pastime. The history of gambling thus begins during the cradle of civilization itself – Ancient Egypt.
In the Beginning
Some of the earliest writings regarding gambling go back to 1500 B.C., when an engraving found on a tablet in the Pyramid of Cheops was thought to have been made. Likewise, the earliest material, archeological findings were salvaged from Thebes, consisting of what is thought to be a pair of ivory dice. Although there is no extensive evidence further proving the existence of gambling in Ancient Egypt, historical records of Egyptian law clearly indicate that gambling was not tolerated, but was in fact, punishable by sentence to work in the quarries. The Greek historian Herodotus recounted a story told by Egyptian priests about a King who traveled into the infernal depths below and took seat in a gaming party. As recalled by the Greek historian, Plutarch, the story of Queen Parysatis – during the reign of Artaxerxes – relates how gambling existed, even amongst the royalty. The story recounts how the Persian queen desired to inflict revenge on one of the King’s slaves, Mesabetes, who was ordered to kill the Queens son, Cyrus. In an attempt to take possession of Mesabetes, Queen Parysatis played the King in a dice game, consequently winning and thereby putting an end to Mesabete’s life. To this day, gambling is looked upon as a vice in modern Persia, with excesses of gambling strictly prohibited and punishable.
Ancient Greece is the first time we see gambling undoubtedly become a nuisance and problem to its occupying citizenry, with dice rolling and cock fighting taking precedence. Philip of Macedon was holding power during the rise of problem gambling in the streets of Athens, which became so ugly that Aristotle himself classified gamblers in the same group as thieves and plunderers. His pupil, Alexander the Great, likewise commented on the status of gamblers by placing fines on members of his court who made gambling into a business, rather than a leisure or recreation.
Emperor Augustus was widely known to be a slave of gambling, and although was characterized as holding a healthy attitude toward the pastime, was later known to have spent lavish amounts of money on countless dice games. He was quoted in letters written to close companions about his exact losses at playing “dice, odds or evens”, and even declared his irrational losses with indifference. Further infecting Rome with unscrupulous and immoral gambling habits, the Ceasars came into power, with Caligula serving as a notorious heir to problem gamblers in the pages of history. Caligula was noted as playing dice during the day of his sister’s funeral, and for not thinking twice about cheating and lying to feed his cruel temperament. On several occasions he confiscated the property of those who he either put to death or arrested, which he later used for stake during dice games.
So it was that imperial example such as this were being adopted by the masses of Roman civilization. At its peak, some historians say that every Roman citizen was addicted to gambling in a bad, evil way. Called the “tessarian” art, gambling in Rome included the first large-scale lotteries, and pandemic of problem gambling. It was a vindictive influence in the lives of many, and was later defined in a Roman allegory that revealed the only outcomes of gambling to be dueling, despair and suicide. Yet, this should be no surprise coming from a civilization founded on multiple Gods, who themselves gambled with mortals, using beautiful courtesans as stake. Even after the fall of the Roman empire do we see testament to the universality of betting. In the first millennium of Christ’s era, Israelites are often ascribed to shape happenings by “lot” (such as the phrase was used). For instance, when Aaron was called to sacrifice a goat in the name of his God, it was “by lot” that a goat was chosen. Likewise, the land of Canaan was divided “by lot”. The widespread belief at the time was that picking the outcome of an event “by lot” was not by chance, but was rather, ordained by Heaven.
We also see elements of gambling showing up on other continents, although their origins are less distinguishable. In Africa, for instance, we see proof of indigenous inhabitants using shells as dice. In the tribes of North American Indians, (although gaming could have been facilitated by Europeans) we nonetheless see natives engaging in stake betting.
Lay the Cards Out on the Table
Until this point in history, there has been a dominance of gambling characterized by dice. However, in order to track the rise of card playing, we must take a closer look at the Chinese civilization and the Far East. The Chinese invented cards most likely at a very early time in their civilization. However, it was not until 900 A.D. that we see table games similar to modern day poker and blackjack begin to take form. The practice of shuffling paper money spawned card dealing, which was imported into Europe by the Islamic Mamelukes. It was during the fourteenth century that card playing was introduced into Europe, spreading its wake into Italy, Spain, England and France. Charles VI and Henry IV are the most notable rulers to have a stake at gambling during the times in which the popular activity made its European presence. Henry IV was accounted for losing irrational sums of money that could have otherwise been used for well-needed public use. Despite the mistakes of France’s “problem gambling rulers”, the French have contributed greatly to modern day gaming, including the standard 52 card deck we use today, as well as the invention of the roulette wheel (Francois and Louis Blanc) which was introduced in Germany and later brought to Monaco – owing much to the development of the world-class Monaco Resort. And although there is debate on the exact origins of poker, there is a strong probability it evolved from games in France or Germany. The British, however, are undoubtedly the most condoning of gambling, and purveyors of its future – Englanders are credited with creating the popular dice game, craps, which they called Hazard in the sophisticated gambling parlors of the the eighteenth century. Not until the game made its way to France did it become known as Craps.
As for other European nations, Spain has always been one acquainted with widespread gambling. The writings of the French author Votaire claim, ” The grandees of Spain had a generous ostentation to divide the money won at play among all the bystanders”. The Germans were described by Tacitus as, “making gaming with a die a very serous occupation”. And Naples, Italy was known for its boatmen willing to stake their personal freedom during contested games. Even the Greenlanders in the northward frozen planes were credited with inventing a very popular game of chance that consisted of a board with a pivoting finger similar to the juvenile game of “Spin the Bottle”. Whoever the pointer landed on would be the one to clear the table.
As can be seen by the previous examples, gambling was a universal phenomenon since the beginning of humanities oldest recorded civilizations. It can be easily denoted that with European expansion into the “New World” of America, gambling likewise made its expansion – Just as it did in Asia and Europe. One can also denote that the sparseness and outlaw nature of the Wild West, not to mention the infamous Gold Rush, strongly influenced the development of modern day Las Vegas – the gambling Mecca of the world. Although casino gambling is not entirely welcome in all areas of the American continent, and is not fully embraced by the government, we see elsewhere in the world were it continues to thrive, such as in England. The UK Gambling Bill is an unprecedented mark of legislative authority that proves just how effectively gambling can be regulated and used to the betterment of a nations economic welfare, while keeping in tact the social vulnerabilities that gambling had disrupted so vehemently in past civilizations.
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