How Gambling Shaped Ancient Civilizations

Long before the dazzling lights of Las Vegas or the digital hum of online casinos, the roll of the dice and the wager on a game of chance were fundamental parts of human society. The history of gambling is not merely a chronicle of entertainment; it is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of ancient civilizations, influencing everything from religion and social structure to economics and politics. Examining how gambling shaped ancient civilizations reveals that our fascination with risk and reward is a timeless human trait.

In many early societies, gambling was inseparable from the divine. The outcome of a game of