Gambling has consistently been a contentious subject among many parties. People consider it as a source of revenue at times and as a vice at other times. It may be a light-hearted hobby for some while becoming a debilitating addiction for others. The way gambling has adapted in the modern world has helped normalize it in a way that it becomes accessible for all. Along with the proper legislation, gambling can be enjoyed almost anywhere. The emphasis is on “almost,” as some countries still frown upon it to this day.
The US is one clear example of how gambling has become so normalized. Its stance on many, once illicit, activities has now become a form of entertainment and public service. This includes the use of drugs and alcohol in some states. As you may already know, they have an entire city that is based on the joys of gambling. Las Vegas is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the whole world. How did gambling become such a popular service, and when did it become a new cultural norm? We can shed light on this development that has been slowly growing in the 21st century.
Just How Long Has Gambling Been Active?
If we were to look at the entire history of gambling, we will find remnants of it in many parts of the globe. The three main originators of gambling can be the countries of China, Greece, and Egypt. The first record of gambling was traced back to 2300 B.C. While the games would have been a lot simpler, people would still gamble on what they had in the hopes of turning a profit. It was China that first introduced playing cards into gambling. While these are considered recorded instances, some of these activities weren’t technically legal.
The first legal establishment to house gambling was the first casino ever made. This was opened in Italy in 1638. It opened in Venice, and its building is still seen today. With the concept of a casino invented, it was time to capitalize on this. Many countries discovered how much money they could make from a casino, so they decided to build their own in various states. Lotteries were some of the first legal gambling establishments built in the US. The list of states that allowed them were:
- Nevada
- California
- New Jersey
- Louisiana
- Illinois
The first is where Las Vegas was created and became the notable home of American casino gambling.
The Modern Age of Gambling
Currently, the US and its neighbouring country of Canada have thousands of casinos operating. It is said that they bring in over $25 billion every year. This includes both the use of land-based and online casinos. While land-based casinos became popular destinations for tourists, the rise of online casinos changed things. The 1990s were starting to get a lot of new development in the technological department. New operations were being made that could allow online transactions and documentation. The rise of computers changed everything for the world and would continue to do so.
More than 600 online casinos were created within the span of just five short years. This was a way for people to gamble from the comfort of their homes instead of going to a real casino. The most common form was online slot machines. They were easy to learn and fast enough to make a quick buck if needed. It wasn’t long until they started making as much money as land-based casinos. This became even more apparent when they started offering exclusive bonuses. Terms like free spins no deposit no wager became commonplace and acted as promotions to help bring in more customers. The oldest online casinos can be found below:
| Online Casino | Year Founded |
|---|---|
| The Gaming Club | 1994 |
| InterCasino | 1996 |
| Intertops | 1996 |
| English Harbour Casino | 1997 |
It took some time for online gambling to be considered legal compared to regular casinos. The legalisation was a lot trickier since gambling could be permitted with fewer restrictions. At the very least, potential players can gamble without supervision since it can be done at home. The Online Gambling Enforcement Act once prohibited the use of banks to allow transactions in gambling. Only in 2018 was gambling made more flexible online with the fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This allowed individual US states to create their own gambling restrictions and legalise what they wanted. This included online casinos.
Those Against Gambling
While some may view gambling as a huge success in the US, there was a time when gambling was still illegal for many years. Some people, even today, still believe in banning all forms of gambling. The first major reason why governments would ban gambling was due to financial gain. While a form of entertainment, a government will most likely only legalize gambling if they can make a profit from it. Otherwise, they would happily make it illegal if there were enough vocal voices against it. Sadly, the well-being of people who experience gambling is the farthest from their minds.
A lot of gambling establishments only introduce more services if they get given the approval of their governing body. Some forms of gambling are considered more “ethical” than others. For example, lotteries were the first form of gambling introduced to the US. Before casinos, this was considered safer since all a person would do was purchase a ticket. This results in either a win or a loss. However, casinos offer players more choices to gamble away their money. This is considered more dangerous as it can be the leading cause of gambling addiction.
One of the major opposition to gambling is mainly religious groups. This mindset dates back to historical moments. It was often considered a sin in some religions. They believed that gambling would lead to more potential crime and corrupt the individual who takes part in it. Even now, you can sometimes see protests against casinos backed with evidence that more crime surrounds these establishments. They truly believe that gambling is harmful to society itself. They will stop at nothing to try and make it illegal in as many states of the US as possible. However, it is ultimately the current government that is in charge of these matters.
A Staple of American Culture
As mentioned earlier, the recognition of Las Vegas is considered a major milestone in general gambling. Basing an entire city on the pleasure of gambling has helped cement it in history as an enjoyable pastime. Having a chance to win money can help anyone achieve their dreams. The thrill of taking a risk in the hopes of having more in life is what makes gambling so enticing. This is what a lot of Americans base their lifestyle on. Taking chances and coming out on top is what makes America “great” from some perspectives.
You can definitely see this in pop culture media. Some examples include:
- Movies
- Books
- TV shows
Gambling movies are among the most popular, creating high-stake dramas and thrilling entertainment. From the iconic “The Gambler” in 1974 to the action-packed “Casino Royale” starring the illustrious character of James Bond. In many ways, pop culture romanticizes the thrill of gambling to a point where everyone sees it as fun. Other films do try to paint a picture of the dangers of gambling. For some, this can make it more enticing.
Conclusion: Gambling Keeps Moving Up
Currently, we can conclude that gambling is globally accepted as one of the most popular forms of adult entertainment. It can be a great source of money for those in charge and for those who become players. Occasionally you will get those that try to cheat the system, but security in gambling has improved immensely. Despite concerns over the dangers of gambling, this remains a vocal minority and doesn’t represent the general public. Security has always tried to improve to keep players safe. Both when they lay in real casinos and when playing online.
The danger of gambling addiction is still the main concern for some. Fortunately, this has also improved greatly. Many gambling charities and organizations have helped improve the well-being of gamblers. They use tools to help them combat gambling-related problems and recover. Examples include GamCare, GamblersAnonymous, and BeGambleAware. These websites are available for anyone and can offer a multitude of services to look into. Even casinos themselves are improving ways to help players relax and be safe before spending their money, whether it is introducing new payment methods to protect transactions or placing limits on player spending.