Poker and keno, two popular casino games with ancient cultural origins, were popular pastimes among ancient civilizations even if gambling was sometimes banned or strictly regulated.

Gambling has long been seen as a way to try one’s luck at supernatural occurrences that defy explanation. Placing bets eventually developed into games like throwing bones (Astragali) and four-sided dice.

Ancient China

Gambling has long been a favorite pastime of many people and its roots can be traced all the way back to ancient civilizations. Although its exact history remains unclear, it’s generally accepted that casino games first appeared in China around 9th century AD.

Chinese gamblers were widely known to enjoy this pastime; even their emperors engaged in it! One such emperor who enjoyed participating was Commodus who is said to have experienced gambling losses on multiple occasions.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, forms of gambling became more diverse; board games, horse racing and competitions involving animals became some of the most popular activities. Furthermore, it is thought that China gave rise to Keno when researchers discovered tiles used as early as 200 BC to play chance-based games like this one.

Ancient Egypt

Gambling was an integral component of ancient societies from Egyptian pyramids to Greek cities and marketplaces alike, playing an essential role. Dice made from bones were often used as entertainment as well as to communicate with gods – further evidence that humans’ inherent desire for risk has always existed within us.

Senet is one such example; this game can be found at Predynastic and First Dynasty burial sites in Egypt as well as hieroglyphics dating back to 3100 BCE. The rules involve moving draughtsmen on a board by throwing sticks. Senet eventually evolved into an intricate religion.

Gambling was a common pastime among ancient civilizations, yet some individuals became addicted. Laws were passed to regulate gambling activity and punish compulsive gamblers severely.

Ancient Rome

Although gambling was illegal for Romans, they enjoyed playing various forms of games of chance; archeological discoveries have unearthed dice, chips, and board games from Roman times – many archeological discoveries include dice and chips from these times as well as records of cheating at tables as well as fights at them – although cheating at tables often led to cheating at fights at tables; Roman emperors also often lost vast sums – Augustus for example was said to have lost thirty times an average soldier’s salary in one session!

Skill-based board games were more socially acceptable than those based solely on luck, with the elite enjoying alea (dice) crafted from ivory, amber and precious metals while lower classes would use wood or bone dice instead. Knucklebones (goat or sheep ankle bones) were another common way of gambling and settling disputes – much like modern craps!

Ancient Greece

Ancient Greece gambling was a prevalent activity and games such as checkers, heads-and-tails and dice were prevalent. Additionally, animal fights and sporting events could often be found as sources for betting opportunities.

Ancient civilizations did not possess casinos as we know them today, but there were special gatherings where people would come together to play these games and place bets. This tradition continued into Roman times where people enjoyed backgammon.

Romans during this era were known for their love of gambling, often to an addictive degree. Some Emperors even experienced gambling losses. Due to this trend, laws were implemented restricting how much people could lose through betting.

Ancient America

European colonists brought with them gambling traditions from Europe. Betting on everything from horse racing and cockfighting to bull baiting (a more violent form of Spain’s traditional equestrian events where dogs were used to taunt an untethered bull).

Native American tribes also embraced gambling with great seriousness. One of the most popular wagering games involved dice and a bowl or basket where players placed bets on what combination of markings appeared after rolling of the dice; this became an inspiration for several modern casino games including Monshimout which was played by Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes and later integrated into slot machines.

As America’s economy expanded, attitudes toward gambling also evolved. A growing sense of responsibility and belief that gambling was often an unnecessary expense gave rise to antigambling movements like temperance and abolitionist movements that advocated against it.