Gambling Histrory in America
As there are a wide variety of different influences and cultures throughout the world, there are also many different ways in which people gamble in America. Historically Americans in times past are similar to their modern-day counterparts in that quite a number of them are avid gamblers. In times past, famous figures in American politics with a penchant for gambling have included the first President of the U.S.A., George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of America.
In the years following America’s independence, there was a proliferation of casinos in most towns and settlements. Along with these venues in the towns, there were also casinos to be found on most river boats that plied their routes along the major rivers like the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. However because of a scandal in a lottery that was held in the state of Louisiana, most of the states in America banned most types of lotteries and gambling in the 1870’s.
Because of adverse effects of gambling on communities, a lot of people came to the conclusion that gambling was not in the best interests of building strong communities within American society. In spite of this attitude that was being shown by people, during the era of Prohibition(1920-1933), when the sale of alcohol was made illegal and into the Great Depression of the 1930’s, criminal elements took advantage of the vulnerability of people and turned their attention towards making money from this situation. They did this by running illegal gambling activities and by selling alcohol clandestinely to the people for the duration of that period. Although since that time gambling has is now being viewed in a different light as compared to days gone by, there is still a measure of stigma that remains attached to gambling and those who engage in this recreational activity. Even during this time, those who are involved in organized crime in America gain substantially from the proceeds that they receive from gambling.
Since the mid 1960’s most states, where gambling was banned have since revived and legalized things such as lotteries, and be cause of this they benefit from the taxes that they charge on these activities. A lot of Americans regularly set aside time to engage in this pastime, in a way carrying on a tradition that was started by their forefathers. For some apart from actually enjoying gambling, there is the added incentive of using this as a way to widen out and meeting new people and seeing new places.
Tags: gambling history, illegal gambling