Gambling in Ancient Civilizations: Facts You Should Know

Long before the digital age brought online casinos to our fingertips, the thrill of a wager was a fundamental part of human civilization. Gambling isn't a modern invention; its roots stretch back to the dawn of recorded history, evolving from simple games of chance played in ancient societies across the globe. From the earliest dice rolls to the intricate card games that laid the groundwork for today's favourites, the human fascination with risk and reward has a truly ancient lineage.

Archaeological evidence suggests that rudimentary forms of betting emerged as far back as 3000 BC in Western Asia, where early six-sided dice were used. Fast forward to the 9th century, and China introduced playing cards, forever changing the landscape of games. Even the precursor to modern poker, ‘As-Nas,' originated in ancient Persia. Indeed, many of the casino games we enjoy today, whether at a land-based establishment or a top Canadian online casino, owe their existence to these ancient innovations. Let's delve into the fascinating history of gambling in some of the world's most influential ancient civilizations.

The Cradle of Cards and Keno: Gambling in Ancient China

Ancient China stands as a pivotal civilization in the history of gambling. Around 2300 BC, during the Xia dynasty, betting became a significant cultural activity. The Chinese are credited with inventing playing cards, complete with symbols and numbers, which revolutionized how games of chance were played. They also pioneered the concept of ‘shuffling' money, a practice that directly led to the card shuffling techniques we see today.

Beyond cards, this civilization gave us games like Keno, a lottery-style game still popular in live casinos and online platforms across Canada and the world. Other notable Chinese games include Mahjong, Yue Har Hai, Wei-Qi, and Xuan He Pai, which is recognized as an early form of dominoes. While most forms of gambling are restricted in mainland China today, regions like Macau and Hong Kong remain global gambling meccas, a testament to the country's enduring legacy in the world of betting.

Divine Intervention and Dice: Gambling in Ancient Greece

Despite periods where betting was deemed illegal, gambling was a pervasive activity in Ancient Greece. Citizens frequently engaged in early versions of ‘heads or tails,' checkers, and various other games based purely on luck. Dice games were particularly popular, often played with three or four dice shaken and poured from a special cup. Interestingly, the Greeks sometimes attributed the outcomes of dice rolls to the whims of sentient beings, or even mocked it as a trivial way to make predictions with no real impact on a game's result.

Greek mythology itself offers a legendary origin for gambling. The tale recounts how the gods Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades decided the division of the universe through a game of chance. Zeus won the skies, Poseidon claimed the seas, and Hades, drawing the short straw, was left with the underworld. This mythical narrative underscores how deeply ingrained the concept of chance and fate was in the Greek psyche.

Feasts, Freedom, and Fortune: Gambling in Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was renowned for its vibrant, often notorious, gambling culture. Even emperors, such as Augustus, were rumoured to have significant gambling habits. Despite strict laws against gambling throughout much of the Roman Empire, the practice flourished, often in secret or during special occasions.

One such occasion was the annual festival of ‘Saturnalia,' held in honour of the god Saturn. For an entire week, societal norms were inverted, and both men and women were permitted to drink, feast, and gamble freely. A unique aspect of Saturnalia was the temporary reversal of roles between slaves and their masters, allowing slaves the rare privilege to place bets and dine alongside their owners. This festival highlights how gambling, even when officially prohibited, found avenues for expression and became an integral part of Roman social life, offering a temporary escape from daily realities.