Gambling is not a new thing, it has been as old as civilization. Way before the smartphones, ancient people played games of chance that had the same excitement people want to have nowadays. The contrast is that, rather than carved dice or amphitheater bets, modern gamblers can get all of this via smooth apps on their phones.
Ancient Times Gambling
- Ancient Rome: Romans were fond of dice, or tesserae, and wagering on the contests of the gladiators. Gambling was technically limited but so popular that even emperors such as Augustus were reported to have tried it.
- Ancient Greece: Greeks were also early adopters of sports betting as they bet on sports events like the Olympics.
- Ancient China: Games of chance are recorded as early as 2300 BC and tiles and dice were used in a manner similar to the modern lottery systems.
These traditions demonstrate that human desire to take risks, chances, and entertainments dates back thousands of years.
Ancient Rome
Gambling was so ingrained in the life of Rome that dice (tesserae) have been discovered in virtually every archaeological site, in the lowly tavern as well as the luxurious villa. Romans not only bet on dice, but also on the gladiatorial fights and chariot races at the Circus Maximus. Although gambling was officially banned or limited, in practice it was tolerated, even emperors such as Claudius were reputed to have written treatises on dice. The Roman obsession with gambling was evidence of their love of competition and their desire to put their fate to the test and they did this through their deity, Fortuna.
Ancient Greece
Gambling was also accepted by the Greeks and associated with myth and athleticism. The universe was even divided by casting lots by the gods themselves, so there is a divine precedent to chance. Greeks in everyday life played knucklebone games (astragaloi) and bet on sports events, in particular, during the Olympic Games. Betting was regarded as entertainment as well as a means of celebrating the competitive spirit that was so fundamental to Greek culture. To most people, gambling was not about making money but rather about demonstrating their ability, bravery or divine favor.
Ancient China
Gambling in China is one of the oldest recorded traditions with evidence of games of chance dating back to the Xia and Shang dynasties (as early as 2300 BC). Carved bone tiles found by archaeologists indicate some form of lottery or proto-card games, and dice were also in use. Gambling houses were so common by the Han dynasty, with games that were both luck-based and skill-based. These activities were not just a leisure activity but also tied in with larger cultural concepts of fate, fortune and cosmic order - ideas that still echo in Chinese culture today.
The Modern Revolution: Pocket Betting
Skip to the present: technology has changed the way people bet. Rather than meeting in a tavern, casino, or stadium, all the operations can be done in a minute on a mobile app. Betting apps are convenient, fast, and in many cases, they offer bonuses that would make even the most experienced Roman gambler surprised.
👉 See a full list of best betting apps here.
What to Expect in a Betting App
In selecting a betting app, remember some basics (as the ancients would select their dice):
- Ease of Use - A nice app must be like polished marble.
- Security In Rome, bets were paid by reputation. Nowadays, you desire encryption and secure payments.
- Diversity of Choices – Like Greeks placed bets on various Olympic events, the contemporary applications should encompass a large number of sports and markets.
- Bonuses & Promotions – Ancient gamblers depended on their luck; nowadays, numerous applications provide you with an advantage in the form of welcome bonuses.
From amphitheaters to app stores, gambling has evolved but the excitement remains timeless. Whether it’s a Roman rolling dice or a fan tapping on their phone, the thrill of the wager has always been part of human culture.
