The Lost Origins of Gambling Establishments

Gambling can trace its roots back to the cradle of mankind. Back then, simple wagers and games of chance were used for a purely recreational purpose.

Over the years, however, gambling has evolved into something overt and sophisticated and can be found in many societal settings in the world. A trip down memory lane will reveal that gambling has served humanity for several purposes. The history is rich, but it is often lost to the contemporary spawn of humanity. As we trace back the long and arduous journey through time, you will be enthralled to find out the origins of online roulette as provided for at http://onlineroulettewheel.co.uk/.

The History of Gambling 2300 BC

Archaeologists unearthed pieces of stone tiles which had markings that almost resembled an ancient Chinese game of keno. The tiles were estimated to originate in 2300 BC before writing was discovered as a literary art form. The archaeologists deduced that the stones might have been used to play an elementary lottery.

Similarly, the Book of Songs, one of China’s oldest known artifacts refers to “drawing wood” which points out that the ancient Chinese culture used wood to play games of chance. Circa 200 BC lottery cards were found along the Chinese wall.

The Greeks were also known to take part in a bit of gambling. In fact, it is believed that sports betting emanated from ancient Greece. A little knowledge of the history will inform you that the modern day Olympics began in the country. The greatest athletes would assemble in arenas to settle their scores. The onlookers would wager different kinds of property with the wealthy ones putting up land and estates, and some would even stake their wives.

Romans took part in the pastime too. History records dice being found in Rome at about 500 BC. Other historical accounts such as the Bible reveal that the Roman cast lots in case there was a dispute over ownership. The Romans are also the brains behind gambling chips. At some point in time, it was illegal to take part in any form of betting. Some Roman citizens came up with the idea of using chips so that when caught they would say that they were playing for chips and not money.

Early Betting Games   

Around 800 AD, betting had become widespread among the different civilizations that existed at the time. More forms of the gambling were invented and were soon to become some of the favorites we have today.

• Playing Cards in China

It is universally agreed, at least in the corridors of academia that the first card games evolved from China in the 9^th Century. While the original game rules have since been lost to the modern society, Chinese cards were believed to be both the bet and the game. It is more synonymous to trading cards that are used by children today.

• Baccarat

The earliest forms of baccarat have been reported to have emanated from Italy and France in the 15^th Century. This was much later than playing cards in China. The game preserved its traditions as it migrated from Italy to France and later to Cuba through the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It has experienced a slow evolution since many of the variations we see today are very recent.

• Blackjack

In Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes, a renowned Spanish author, referred to a game called ‘ventiuna’ which loosely translates to 21 in a book written in 1601. However, other scholars seem to think that the set of Blackjack has much earlier origins than this. Some claim that blackjack originated from the trente-un (31) or quinze (15) which date back to 1570 France. There is, however, a consensus that the game is a direct descendant of vingt-et-un which was a French favorite in the 17^th century.

The Emergence of Modern Day Casinos

It was around the 17^th century that gambling houses started to emerge. The first well-known betting house was Ridotto, a small establishment that hosted customers who sought to play games of chance beyond the chaos of the carnival season. It was located in Venice.

The huge growth spurt occurred in the 19^th century. Many establishments were developed all over Europe and America. The growth was so rampant that even steamboats started including betting as part of their attractions.

Meanwhile, in Paris, a small wheel was taking the population by storm. The game of roulette was right in its infancy. It would grow to take over most of America and evolve to conquer Europe and the rest of the world. The popularity of roulette throughout Europe can be attributed to its introduction in the Monte Carlo Casino in the 19^th century.

The increasing demand for gambling led to the invention of new games and the development of more betting shops. During this time, the industry saw the invention of the “one-armed-bandit” commonly known as the slot machine and poker.

Modern Day Gambling

Approaching the 20^th century, betting was done openly and unrestricted. This led to the emergence of pathological gamblers and many disputes over wins. National governments decide to step in to control the fiasco. You will note that most gambling legislation was enacted in the 20^th century.

Regulation served a greater purpose. It shaped the entire industry and brought about organized operations. This, in turn, led to bigger developments and the founding of gambling franchises.

At the turn of the 21^st century, the internet was at its optimum use yet. The now land-based casinos decided to branch out and conquer new markets. Today, there are as many online casinos as you can count. The trade has also made its way to mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets.

The evolution of gambling is long but interesting. Only snippets of this rich history have been covered in this short binder. You can read more about gambling establishments online.

 

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