Attempts to control Gambling is not a new invention and is know to exist since the early ages of developing civilization and culture. And just as civilization developed, so did the split of society in different classes. Laws controlling gambling had very close ties to the society structure and peoples belonging to the certain classes.

Romes Emperors are known to play dice and did it fairly often, especially August and Claudius. But regular citizen of the Rome were allowed to play only during certain seasons. During the Middle Ages Church and Royalty of different countries made attempts to get rid of gambling and their failures serve as a proof of humanity strong interest to this form of entertainment. Long list of churchs hierarchs could be started from St. Kiprian Carthaginian (about 240 AD) and continue up to St. Bernardino Of Siena (1423). In 1232 Fredrik II published a ban on game of dice and Louis IX in 1255 outlawed production of dice and associated equipment.

During this long period most of the gambling was represented by variations of dice games. Card games didnt become popular until about 1350. Interesting thing is that all bans and prohibitions were directed against the sins associated with games and not so much the games themselves. Church was more worries by drunkenness and swearing that accompanied the games and government was interested to stop laziness, wastefulness, fraud and cheating and criminality that were that were obviously associated with gambling.

That gambling itself were not considered an evil could be seen from a fact that in 960 Bishop W. Cambrian invented a church version of game of dice. His goal was not to root the games but turn them into something good and useful. British Monarchs starting with Edgar III published number of restriction laws with purpose of protection men sports and martial arts. Henry VIII announced gambling houses outlawed, even though he was an apt gambler himself, because they distracted young people for archery and military training. This Henrys verdict against public game houses existed in England about 400 year till 1960s.

Our days are not any different and each country is trying to find its own ways to control historically developed interest humanity to gambling. Unfortunately they are too numerous to even attempt to list them but its not even a point of this short article. Perhaps its time to stop controlling and start educating people. Responsible gambling is a source of many hours of entertainment and if properly educated perhaps a wider population can enjoy it.

Article based on materials published on www.library.ru