Believe it or not, gambling entertainment, or at least games of luck, dates back to ancient civilizations. We don’t know the specifics of each game, but older art and records depict some sort of entertainment that resembles a game of chance. In other words, the history of gambling is vast, and it proves that as a species, we are obsessed with luck and how to influence it.
The current world population is estimated at 8.3 billion, and 1.6 billion, which is roughly 20%, actively gamble, whereas around 50% (4.2 billion) have gambled at least once. So, wouldn’t it be fun to explore the roots of these hobbies that are a global phenomenon?
Early Evidence of Gambling
Historians and archaeologists managed to identify objects known as astragali, which closely resemble dice. These were made from animal bones and are believed to have been used in 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. That said, these were also objects of worship that people at that time likely used to communicate with gods or interpret their will.
More concrete evidence of this activity comes from China, where gambling houses were also a thing between 2000-1600 BC during the Xia Dynasty. According to modern theories, things like lottery, dice games, and betting on animal fights were all present in Chinese gambling houses.
Who Invented Gambling Rules and Games?
There is no single person that we can point to and credit as the inventor of one popular game, let alone gambling. The earlier civilizations weren’t that literate, so having formalized and written rule sets wouldn’t do them any good. Most likely, there were known games in certain regions, and people adjusted or made up rules on the spot that helped them resolve certain outcomes.
Even modern casino games that can be traced to history have likely borrowed rules from earlier games that weren’t formally recognized.
When Did the First Casino Open in History
If we don’t count gambling houses from China or pubs where people played games of luck, then the invention of the casino can be attributed to the government of Italy. It was built in 1638 and is government-owned. Its main purpose was to host safely regulated games during seasonal festivities or carnivals. Once again, the question of who invented casinos cannot be answered with a single name.
Earlier casinos were nothing like the ones we have today. For starters, it was a form of entertainment available only to those in the upper echelon of society. On modern online casino sites situation is drastically different. It’s incredibly accessible regardless of the budget as casino 1 euro deposit operators exist and can process small payments. Not only that, but new users can get additional funds and free spins even on small deposits. So, it’s really cheap to play.
What Makes Games of Chance so Appealing
As we established, there is something irresistible that games of chance bring to the table. Regardless of era, rules, or game complexity, people love the idea of winning instantly without much effort. In fact, whenever we win, our brain produces dopamine, and we feel good and rewarded. So, people play again in order to replicate this effect.
This can also become dangerous. When we play for too long, smaller wins no longer do the trick, so we need to up the stakes in order to get that dopamine rush. If things get out of hand, people will start to mainly experience pleasure and happiness from high-stakes gambling, and that can lead to serious financial issues.
Additionally, this is also a social activity, and we are social creatures. So in some instances, it’s not the act of gambling itself that produces pleasure, but the fact that we are spending time with people and socializing. It is one of the main reasons why this form of entertainment remains popular to this day.
The Evolution From Traditional Games to Digital Platforms
Gambling companies and businesses did not dally when the internet started to go live. In fact, some of the first online casinos were up and running even during the 90s. However, it wasn’t as appealing as it is nowadays. For starters, the social component was missing. Second, we had slow dial-up internet, and games didn’t look as good.
As more and more people gained access to faster internet and smartphones, things started to change. Moreover, there were social media sites that also added casino games where people could play together or against one another. These became a big hit because they were more polished and offered a social experience. Gradually, governments began to introduce a regulatory structure to support this business model. They had MGA and UKGC as good models for how to regulate this form of entertainment. Today, it is a thriving industry that supports millions of jobs.
