Encyclopedia: History of Gambling
Gambling has existed for thousands of years. Long before modern casinos and online slots, people placed bets on dice, cards, and simple games of chance. While we can’t pinpoint the exact moment gambling began, there’s plenty of evidence that it was part of everyday life in many early civilizations. From ancient Egypt to modern Las Vegas, the story of gambling is full of interesting turns.
This article covers the key points in the history of gambling, touching on significant developments, laws, religious and cultural views, and how it evolved into what it is today.
Early Beginnings of Gambling
Dice and Board Games in Ancient Times
The earliest physical evidence of gambling comes from dice, dating back to around 3000 BC. Ancient Egyptians played a game called Senet, and similar dice games appeared in India and China. Excavations at the Burnt City in Iran uncovered dice estimated from 2800–2500 BC.
Writings from Hindu and Buddhist texts also mention gambling, suggesting that it was widely practiced across Asia. These early forms of gambling were often tied to religious and cultural practices.
900 AD: Card Games and Early Lotteries
Card games are believed to have originated in China around 900 AD. These eventually made their way to Europe via trade routes like the Silk Road. Around the same time, the Chinese also developed early versions of the lottery.
These early lotteries were sometimes used to fund public works. Some historians even suggest that gambling proceeds helped finance parts of the Great Wall.
1613: Early Forms of Blackjack
The first written mention of a game similar to blackjack appeared in a short story by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes in 1613. The game Veintiuna (21) laid the foundation for what would eventually become blackjack.
The term “blackjack” came much later, when American casinos in the 1930s offered bonus payouts for hands that included the jack of spades or clubs—hence the name.
1638: The First Public Casino
1638 Venice opened the world’s first legal casino: the Ridotto. Housed in a wing of the Palazzo Dandolo, it was set up to control gambling during the city’s annual carnival. The Ridotto offered card and dice games and was only open to the wealthy.
This marked the start of gambling in the world as a public, regulated activity.
1796: The Rise of Roulette
Roulette was introduced in France in the late 1700s and quickly became popular in Paris gambling halls. Some believe French mathematician Blaise Pascal accidentally invented it while trying to invent a perpetual motion machine.
1895: The First Modern Slot Machine
If you've ever wondered who first invented gambling machines, Charles Fey is widely credited as the inventor. Fey, a mechanic in San Francisco, built the first true slot machine in 1895. The Liberty Bell had three reels and featured symbols like horseshoes, stars, and the cracked Liberty Bell.
1967: Texas Hold’em Enters the Spotlight
Although it had been played for decades, Texas Hold’em gained popularity in 1967 when it was introduced to Las Vegas. Tournaments helped make it famous and became the go-to variant for professional poker events.
1976: Video Poker and Electronic Slots
The first video poker machines were introduced in the mid-1970s. They combined slot machine convenience with poker mechanics and were a hit among casino-goers. This shift from mechanical to electronic marked a key chapter in the history of gambling machines.
1994: The Online Gambling Revolution
The internet changed everything. Microgaming, a software company founded in 1994, launched one of the first online casinos. This ushered in a new era, and online gambling quickly took off. Soon, thousands of casino sites offered slots, poker, blackjack, and sports betting. Online platforms now dominate the gambling market.
2000s: Poker Goes Mainstream
Poker’s popularity surged in the early 2000s thanks to televised tournaments, like the World Series of Poker, and the rise of online poker platforms like PokerStars. The 2003 WSOP win by amateur Chris Moneymaker famously sparked a global poker boom, inspiring millions to play online.
The game became popular through shows like High Stakes Poker and widespread internet coverage.
Gambling in the Bible and Morality Debates
Gambling is not directly condemned in the Bible, but several verses warn against the love of money and dishonest gain. This has led to long-standing debates on whether gambling is a sin, especially within religious communities.
Different faiths view gambling differently, with some accepting it in moderation and others calling for outright bans.
Gambling Laws and Controversies
United States
In the U.S., gambling laws have shifted dramatically over time. In the 19th century, many forms of gambling were legal and widespread, particularly in saloons and riverboats. However, by the early 20th century, most states had banned it entirely due to concerns about crime and morality.
Things started changing in 1931 when Nevada legalized casino gambling, leading to the rise of Las Vegas. In 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allowed Native American tribes to open casinos, adding another layer to U.S. gambling history. Today, laws vary by state: some have fully legalized online gambling, while others ban it outright.
Canada
Canada followed a similar arc. Gambling was heavily restricted until the 1970s, when the federal government gave provinces the authority to manage and regulate it. This led to the creation of provincial lotteries and land-based casinos. Online gambling is legal when operated by provincial authorities or authorized private operators.
Australia
Gambling has long been a mainstream activity in Australia, from pokies in pubs to large casino resorts. But growing concerns about problem gambling led to stricter rules in the 2000s. Online betting is legal for sports and racing, but restrictions apply to in-play and online casinos. Licensing is managed at the state and territory level.
Each of these countries reflects how gambling regulation has evolved from moral prohibition to economic opportunity, with new questions now being raised around online access, consumer protections, and advertising standards.
Modern-Day Gambling and Concerns
The rapid growth of online gambling has led to increased concern about addiction. The history of gambling addiction tracks how awareness and treatment options have evolved. Today, many sites offer self-exclusion tools, betting limits, and links to support services.
The industry is also under pressure to improve transparency, prevent underage access, and promote responsible gambling.
10 Types of Popular Gambling Today
Wondering what types of gambling are popular in today’s digital world? Here are the 10 most popular forms of online gambling:
- Online slots
- Poker
- Sports betting
- Casino table games (blackjack, roulette, etc.)
- Bingo
- Lotteries
- Horse racing
- Esports betting
- Fantasy sports
- Scratch cards and instant-win games
History of Gambling Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| 3000 BC | Dice games appeared in ancient Egypt |
| 900 AD | Card games and lotteries emerge in China |
| 1613 | First mention of blackjack (Veintiuna) |
| 1638 | First public casino opens in Venice |
| 1796 | Roulette gains popularity in France |
| 1895 | The Liberty Bell slot machine was invented |
| 1967 | Texas Hold’em poker gains popularity |
| 1976 | Video poker is introduced |
| 1994 | First online casino launched |
Final Thoughts
The history of gambling is long and complicated, stretching from ancient times to today’s digital world. Whether it’s played with dice in a temple, cards in a smoky bar, or slots on your phone, gambling has always found a way to stay part of human culture.
The History of Gambling FAQs
