By Alex Cronquist

Gambling is an extremely old activity conducted by humans with evidence by writing and equipment found in old tombs (Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.). As it is in today’s world, gambling was also extremely regulated in ancient societies (Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.). Laws were very harsh in societies such as Rome, ancient China, and ancient Egypt. A common sentence for illegal gambling was forced labor (Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d.). Although the first records of gambling did not use modern currency, once currencies were established around the world that became the norm for stakes of most gambling (Pause Before You Play, 2022). Experts believe that Italy was likely the birthplace of casinos, then it would have spread throughout Europe and eventually the world (Pause Before You Play, 2022).

In today’s world gambling is much different with the incorporation of modern-day sports betting apps and electronic gambling devices such as slot machines and blackjack/roulette machines (bet365, n.d.). This has had an adverse effect on its users as it is extremely easy to play online gambling in the form of virtual casinos or sports betting on apps such as bet365 (Michigan Medicine, 2021). This easy source of dopamine has led to many gambling addictions and unhealthy hobbies in people of all ages, which raises questions about the ethics and morality of these websites even though many of them are legal (Michigan Medicine, 2021).

After interviewing our guest it was apparent that his habits with online gambling were not making him any money as he was only hitting parlays along with other sports bets roughly 10% of the time. Even though this was the case, he was still placing sports bets showing that even though he hasn’t made any money off these bets in over 2 years they are still enticing because of the extra thrill you may get out of watching a sports game with money on the line.

Sources:


bet365. (n.d.). Home. bet365.

https://www.bet365.com/#/HO/

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Gambling. Encyclopaedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/gambling/History

Michigan Medicine. (2021, August 25). Experts say increased access to online gambling may put teens at risk. Michigan Medicine.

https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/experts-say-increased-access-online-gambling-may-put-teens-risk

Pause Before You Play. (2022, January). A brief history of gambling. Pause Before You Play.

https://pausebeforeyouplay.org/2022/01/a-brief-history-of-gambling/