Gambling has a long and storied history that reaches back to the dawn of civilization. From ancient China and Egypt to Greece, Rome, and beyond, people have been betting on the outcome of various games for thousands of years. But it wasn’t until the 17th century that gambling started to become more widespread in Europe and eventually made its way to America in the 1800s. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of gambling and take a look at how it has evolved over time.
The earliest records of gambling date all the way back to 2300 BC in China where tiles were used for a game similar to dominoes. Around 2000 BC, Egyptians were also wagering on board games such as Backgammon. The Greeks had their own version of dice called Talos which was played by soldiers during times of war. The Romans also loved gambling and would often bet on chariot races or gladiatorial fights.
Gambling really took off during the Renaissance period when Italy saw an explosion in popularity for card games like Tarot and Primero. This trend quickly spread throughout Europe with casinos popping up across France, Germany, Spain, England, and other countries on the continent. By 1638 there were already 20 legal gaming houses open in Paris alone!
In North America gambling was brought over by settlers who wanted to recreate some of their favorite European pastimes here. Horse racing became especially popular among colonists with tracks cropping up all over the eastern seaboard from New York down to Virginia. Other forms of betting like lotteries were also allowed in some states as early as 1744 but it wasn’t until after World War I that they became more widely accepted across the country.
Today gambling has come a long way from its humble beginnings centuries ago and is now available online with virtual casinos allowing people from all around the world to play anytime they want from any device they choose. It’s no wonder that it continues to be one of our most beloved hobbies!
