The History of Gambling

Gambling has existed since ancient times, and there is evidence that most cultures supported it in some form or another.

Implements associated with the practice of gambling have been found in ancient China sites dating back to about 2300 B.C. A pair of ivory dice made sometime before 1500 B.C. have been found in Egypt. In fact, writings mentioning gambling have been discovered on a tablet in one of the pyramids at Giza. Inhabitants of ancient India, Greece and Rome also practiced some form of gambling.

A Place in History
Gambling has played a role in the history of nations. Around the year 1,000 A.D., King Olaf of Norway and King Olaf of Sweden are said to have come together to decide on the ownership of the district of Hising, a relatively isolated area claimed by both countries. Because the dispute could not be resolved diplomatically, the two kings agreed to roll a pair of dice. On their first rolls, both kings got double six; on their second rolls, the Swedish king came up with two sixes and the Norwegian king rolled six on the first die. The second, however, is said to have cracked showed seven. Norway received the territory, and the two kings reportedly departed on good terms.

We find that gambling was so popular during the Middle Ages that some countries prohibited their soldiers from participating in games, since the gambling activities prevented them from carrying out their proper duties. King Henry VIII of England, for example, is said to have banned gambling when he determined that his soldiers were devoting more time to gambling and less time to working on drills and marksmanship.

Playing Cards
Playing cards may have developed in China, since the Chinese developed both paper and money made from paper. In fact, the Chinese are said to have come up with the practice of shuffling paper money about 900 A.D. This may have evolved into the practice of shuffling cards. Playing cards then apparently spread to the Mameluke Empire. Since the Mamelukes were Muslim, they did not decorate their playing cards with human forms; instead, their cards were decorated with intricate designs. When the cards made their way to the Mediterranean countries, card makers began distinguishing cards with the royal ranks of noblemen who frequented the royal court. The French took out one of the men and added a queen card sometime in the 1500s. This "French Pack" of cards became the prototype of the 52-card deck we use today.

From: http://www.gamblingorigins.com/