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Gambling History 101.
By:Mansi Aggarwal,
Article source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/. Used with authors
permission.
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
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