The Gambling Roots

Gambling existed from medieval times at all societalto mass-produced products that were enjoyed by
levels in various forms. The freedom of engaging inevery rank of society.
these games was hugely dependant on the socialThe state and church continually outlawed or limited
hierarchy state of the individual. Gambling sustainedgambling despite its growing popularity. Designed to
state and church criticism. A traditional community liferestrict excesses of the general population resulted in
element included contests that were accompanied bylegislation being targeted at the poor and therefore
general revelry, drinking and heavy betting.uneven in application. Prohibitions imposed from
Bearbaiting and cockfighting in the blood sports rangeCatholic Churches were aimed at steering people
were popular with peasantry sectors. In other socialaway from idle activities and were pragmatic
spectrum areas, horseracing pastimes were confinedtowards organized exertion like sports. The aim was
to the upper classes. Horse racing and ownershipto rally a workforce into the indigenous army, which
operated almost exclusively in private affairs for royalserved as an advantage to the violent Middle Ages
patronage systems and monarchs. They organizedclimate.
races and entered horses to compete, personalizingCard playing was banned on workdays since 1397,
them with assigning their names.and was further criticized. Criticism of gambling
Lotteries initiated in the 15th century, and werecontinued and the emphasis shifted to effects of
popular but arbitrarily illegal in most cases. Adisorder within rational societies aimed mainly at the
widespread gambling form was dice playing and itmass of the population, the poor. Legislation in the
was the standard game of the medieval period. All17th and 18th centuries attempted to eradicate
society sections inclusive of the clergy-despite manygambling from the mass populations, by fiscal means
bans and prohibitions, pursued it. The Saxons,of imposing taxes on both dice and cards, charging
Romans and Danes introduced many varieties ofhuge horse races entrance fees and increasing prices
games and playing styles, most of the games fell intoof lottery tickets.
two types, moving board counters (like checkers), orEuropean countries also introduced laws that limited
games that were based on dice throws. The easternpublic gambling to take place in licensed premises and
Europeans introduced playing cards toward the endrestricted license granting to upper classes and
of the 13th century; it became a leisure activity fromnobility members. The poor were restricted to playing
an elite pastime that was popular with all socialillegal, unlicensed tavern gambling while upper classes
classes.were free to a variety of games. In recent years
Professional painters, who received patronage fromthere have been a diagnosis of gambling addiction
aristocrat households, handcrafted early cards oncondition, which is a progressive illness, it initiates as a
ivory and copper, wood and card. The first woodcutsrecreational activity then becomes destructive with
on paper were, in fact, playing cards. Gambling was amental, spiritual and physical consequences. The main
status marker and leisure pursuits amongstsymbol is loss of control through tendencies towards
prestigious groups. Games and cards were symbolicbigger risks.
of cultural climates and social orders surroundingGambling in excess causes depression anxiety,
them. The printing press development in the 15thmuscular tension, headaches and fatigue. Many
century played a crucial role in the history of cardsaddicts even engage in criminal activity to fund the
and transformed them from aristocratic play thingshabit.