In search of luck: the history of gambling

People were already indulging in gambling thousands of years ago: archaeological finds prove this. Playing for stakes has always had a great appeal, which is fed by the mixture of excitement and the chance to win money.

Roots of the dice game go way back

Archaeologists can prove with spectacular finds that already the inhabitants of China and Mesopotamia 3.000 years before Christ indulged in gambling. Scientists stumbled upon six-sided dice from this period, made of ivory or bone. In Egypt, the population also passed their time with dice a millennium later, and the same applies to the Roman Empire and the territories of the Germanic tribes. Researchers know more about the latter two eras and regions: the Romans, for example, allowed gambling exclusively on Saturn’s feast days. This restriction was intended to prevent the inhabitants from indulging too often in this poorly regarded, apparently pernicious hobby. The dangers were evident among the Germanic tribes, where, according to historians, many gambled away all their possessions.

Different handling: From bans to state lotteries

In the following centuries, the Roman Empire continued its practice of banning gambling completely or to a large extent. However, such bans could hardly be controlled, since dice or card games can easily be organized in secret. In 17. In the nineteenth century, even scholars were engaged in this recreational activity, based on studies of the odds of winning, they developed theories of probability calculation. While secular and ecclesiastical rulers were largely hostile to gambling in the Middle Ages, heads of state increasingly recognized the opportunities of its great popularity: with class lotteries they henceforth filled their coffers. In Germany, the first class lottery took place in Leipzig in 1697, and many others followed suit. To this day, a public-law institution, the Joint Class Lottery of the German States (Gemeinsame Klassenlotterie der Länder), organizes such a game. The proceeds now go to good causes. The popular Lotto 6 out of 49 is also organized by the federal states and finances various social and cultural projects with it. With private casinos and the wide range of games of chance, there are many more ways for interested people to entertain themselves and earn money with their bets.

Longing to win is part of being human

The long tradition of gambling shows that people have always found it appealing. You hope for small and big winnings, that has not changed until today. The billion turnovers with Lotterien and in casinos locally and in the Internet prove this. Movies about gambling also fascinate the audience and always become blockbusters (more here).