Gambling has been an integral part of American society for centuries, and its history in the United States is a long and varied one. From the earliest days of the country, gambling has shaped our culture and economy, providing both entertainment and economic opportunity to many individuals. This article takes a look back at the fascinating history of gambling in the United States.
The first documented instance of gambling in America dates back to 1665, when colonists in Jamestown were said to have placed wagers on horseraces. This form of gambling quickly spread throughout the colonies, becoming popular among all classes of people. As early as 1744, lotteries were approved by colonial legislatures to help fund public works projects such as roads and bridges. Lotteries remained popular until 1894, when Congress passed legislation that banned them nationwide.
In the early 1800s, riverboat casinos sprung up along rivers such as the Mississippi River, offering patrons games like poker and blackjack. Gambling was still illegal in many areas at this time, but these floating casinos provided a way for Americans to gamble without having to break any laws. The popularity of riverboat casinos continued well into the 20th century until they eventually went out of business due to increased competition from land-based casinos.
By 1931, Nevada had legalized gambling within its borders. Other states followed suit over the next several decades; some legalizing certain forms of gaming while others allowed full-scale casino operations. Today there are more than forty states that allow some form of commercialized gambling within their borders, with two more states (New York and Massachusetts) set to join them soon. The success of modern day casinos has spawned a wide variety of other forms of legal betting including off-track betting parlors and internet gaming sites which offer patrons ways to bet on sports or play online casino games from home or mobile devices.
Gambling has come a long way since its beginnings in Colonial America; what started out as an occasional wager between friends on horseraces has evolved into an industry estimated to be worth around $90 billion dollars annually in the United States alone! While it can be argued that too much money is spent on gambling each year, it’s hard to ignore its long standing role in American society—from providing entertainment for millions each year, creating jobs for thousands more—there’s no doubt that gambling will remain firmly entrenched in American culture for many years to come!
