"Dice-like objects from 3000 BCE found in Mesopotamia by archaeologists, plus Chinese texts from ancient times, reference the use of dice and betting in association with their spiritual beliefs regarding fate and fortune. The Ancient Greeks and Romans also participated in betting, but sometimes viewed it as entertainment and at other times as a religious belief; therefore, their philosophical debates ranged from the potential pitfalls of gambling to whether it was "harmless" or a "trap" for a person's morals (McMillen, 1996)."
"During the Middle Ages, Europe saw gambling (betting) take on a mix of condemnation and celebration, with churches condemning it and community establishments like taverns and town squares having dice games and betting operations flourish at the same time. This juxtaposition illustrates two sides of gambling, that of recreation or enjoyment as opposed to that of guilt or something abhorrent."
Gambling has existed since the earliest civilizations, with archaeological evidence of dice-like objects from 3000 BCE and ancient Chinese texts linking betting to beliefs about fate and fortune. Ancient Greeks and Romans engaged in betting for entertainment and religious reasons, prompting philosophical debates about its moral risks. During the Middle Ages, European gambling drew both church condemnation and popular practice in taverns and town squares, reflecting its recreational and condemnatory dimensions. Across cultures and eras, humans have retained a desire for the uncertainty and potential luck of gambling. In the past two decades, digital technology—smartphones, high-speed internet, and digital payments—has made betting instantly accessible anytime, anywhere, increasing convenience and transforming betting patterns.
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