Opposition to Gambling - Gambling Opposition

In many countries throughout the world, gambling has been favorable more or less, depending on the currrent moral, social and religious situation. Most oppositions to gambling are based on social and religious issues.

Many attempts has been made to prohibit gambling, but it is still flourishing. Prohibiting gambling causes the establishments of illegal casinos. 

Social problems related to gambling are as old as gambling itself. In Roman times, gambling was restricted to one week of the year, during the Saturnalia festival (similar to the Christmas and New Year holidays).

However this did not stop Roman players, who continued to gamble in private houses and clubs. Even when fines (similar to four times the stakes) were given for players caught gambling, the Romans managed to circumvent the law by using illustrated discs, called "roundels", instead of money. 

Almost as soon as playing cards were introduced to Europe, they were forbidden. In Paris, legislation forbiding playing cards was passed in 1377, and in Italy, playing cards and dice were burned.

In the USA, many trials were made to stop gambling and online gambling. Early Puritan settlers initially forbade the possession of gaming equipment, but gave up, allowing games for recreational purposes.

Later legislation was ineffective as it forbade specific games. Players simply changed the names or invented new games. By 1910 gambling was made illegal throughout the USA, but due to widespread corruption among law enforcement officers, this law had little effect.