History of Gambling has its roots in ancient civilizations, where people placed bets on various events and outcomes. This fascinating history has evolved throughout the centuries, taking on many forms, from card games to slot machines and casinos. In this article, we will delve into the rich history of gambling, its origins, and how it has transformed into the multi-billion dollar industry we know today.
Ancient Civilizations and the Origins of Gambling
Evidence of gambling can be traced back to prehistoric times, with the earliest known dice-like objects dating back to 40,000 BC. In Mesopotamia, the first 6-sided dice date back to around 3000 BC. Ancient peoples, such as the Romans and Mesopotamians, used animal bones for gambling, as they believed in supernatural powers controlling the outcome of the thrown bones.
The Chinese are often credited with inventing games of chance, and gambling is believed to have started as entertainment in ancient China before spreading across the world. Games like lotto and dominoes were precursors to modern casino games, and it is generally believed that the ancestor games of blackjack and poker were also invented in China.
In ancient Egypt, archaeologists have discovered gambling artifacts, including a pair of dice made from elephant tusks dating back to 3000 BC. Another game found in ancient Egypt was HUBEM-how, which involved throwing discs into a bowl in a specific order.
In ancient Greece, gambling was popular despite being illegal. Greek soldiers used dice games to entertain themselves, and myths even tell of Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon throwing dice to decide how to split up the universe. The Romans also enjoyed gambling, playing games like “Heads and Ships” and participating in chariot racing.
Medieval and Renaissance Gambling
During the medieval era, gambling continued to grow in popularity, with lotteries becoming popular in the 15th century. Chess and Draughts were also common games during this time. In Florence, Italy, gambling was used to raise money for public works projects.
Card games were widespread during the Renaissance, with games like Basset, Faro, and Biribisso being popular. The French variation of the card deck replaced the Nobleman, leading to the development of the standard 52-card deck. Blackjack and Faro were created by the French Templars and exclusively presented in neighboring Britain, later shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.
In the 17th century, the government of Venice opened the Ridotto, a gambling house, to better control gambling and make money. Blaise Pascal invented the roulette wheel in the same century.
The Birth of Modern Gambling
In the late 1880s, Charles Fey created an early reel-based gambling machine in San Francisco, which led to the creation of the slot machine. The first electromechanical slot was created in 1963, and the first electronic video slot was created in 1976. Slot machines were initially installed in cigar stores, saloons, and barber shops.
In the 1930s, Las Vegas began to grow when Nevada became the first state to legalize gambling. Prohibition outside Nevada was virtually total by 1951, although illegal operation was widely ignored. Tommy Hull built the El Rancho Vegas casino in the middle of the desert in Nevada in the early 1940s, which started the building of The Strip. The expansion of brick and mortar casinos in the USA led to the formation of Las Vegas, which became a popular gambling destination.
The Rise of Online Gambling
In the mid-1990s, online gambling began to take off, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that online casinos became legal. They became licensed and regulated with control to protect players and casinos from fraud and abuse. The Isle of Man-based Microgaming developed the first online gambling software in 1994, and InterCasino was the first to accept real money wagers on the web in 1996.
Today, online gambling is becoming more appealing and accessible, with several legislations passing. Gaming specialties like online slots, table games, and live casinos are becoming the dominant forces in the gambling industry, each with different gambling terms. Virtual reality casinos are also making their way into the gambling industry, although their potential is uncertain.
In conclusion, the History of Gambling has been a fascinating journey, with its origins in ancient civilizations and its evolution into the multi-billion dollar industry we know today. From ancient dice games to modern online casinos, gambling has always been a popular form of entertainment for people around the world. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that the gambling industry will continue to grow and adapt to the changing times.