Gambling on Land

Most likely, there isn’t anyone that could put a definitive date on the birth of gambling. In fact, there have been archaeological findings of dice and cave drawings that depict various forms of gambling. Mind you there would be nothing similar by way of today’s standards with the amount casino regulation present within the gambling industry.

Even the inception of a deck of playing cards is open to debate. It is believed that based on their symbols live gambling may have originated in China as well as Italy. The deck of cards that is so famous today is the 52 card French deck.

Where did Poker Originate?

It would seem that many Countries have their own version of where poker originated. Some say it goes back to Germany around the 15th century. Then it is like Nas, which is a Persian game. The Americans claim it was their discovery. It would seem that the general consensus is that Poker stemmed from an Irish game called Pocca.

Anyway you look at it though it all points to some form of live gambling and one would have to assume that there would be some type of applicable gambling laws albeit probably laws of the game.

It may seem that the traditional legalized Casinos that we know of today have not been around for all that long really, but if one takes a look at the American version of a Casino it really is just another name for the infamous Saloons dating back to the days of the Old West. Any historian will most likely tell you there was no form of Casino regulation taking place back in those days.

Therefore, it seems that the gambling industry is not new. Albeit there have been many forms of it through the centuries, it certainly doesn’t look like there will be any end to it.

What about land based gambling today?

Moving up to the modern day demise of gambling it certainly is faced with mixed feelings. Some countries embrace many forms of gambling while others have totally outlawed it all together.

North America, Africa, Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, are all places that you are sure to find some type of gambling institutions with some form of set casino regulation in place. In some Islamic countries, gambling of any type is banned.

Another interesting factor about gambling is the interpretation of what constitutes gambling. Each country seems to have its own definition, for example, some may allow cards but not slots. Then some may allow cards but not dice. In addition to this, the laws can be vague as to where what is legal is allowed to be played where.

Another aspect of what countries allow gambling are those that will allow online gaming operations to be allowed to operate for the country but live gambling within the country itself is illegal. In Macau foreigners can play at their world famous casino, but not the citizens themselves!

Gambling Controversy

So really why is there such a controversy as to whether gambling should be illegal or legal? Again, it will depend on the stance of the country. As far as it being illegal, some arguments stem around a religious factor. That it sinful and goes against the beliefs. Then there are countries and states that purport that it increases crime rates.

If the gambling industry is prohibited then there is less crime. Others state that it is a means for specific money laundering and perhaps terrorism. Finally, there are locales that view it as being as an addiction that leads to the demise of the population. The pro gaming countries argue the opposite to these of course but also include that people have the right to freedom and to choose their form of entertainment. In addition, it is good for the overall economy.

Therefore, in would seem that there will never be a universal consensus on casino regulation in respect to gambling and it’s not likely to ever disappear but what does the future hold for the status of the gambling industry?