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Online casino gambling |
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Thursday, August 28th 2008 |
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When most people think of gambling and America, the first place to spring to mind is Las Vegas. There is no problem with that, but if we take a look into the past it is amazing to realize what an impact gambling has had on our way of life, from the schools that we attend to the basic freedoms that we hold so dear.
When the colonials came from to the “new world,” they already had a penchant for gaming. Gambling was a readily accepted part of the English culture at the time. Lotteries were the most popular, ahead of horse racing and cockfighting. In fact, the popularity of lotteries during this time helped to fund the building of many schools and universities, including but not limited to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Princeton and Darthmouth. All of these prestigious universities owe at least part of their existence to the profits of gambling.
During this period, almost every household had at least a pair of playing cards. The popularity of playing cards amongst the colonies led the British government to tax the cards, as well as a little thing known as tea. This, of course, led to the signing of the Declaration of Rights, which claimed no taxation without representation and led to the Revolutionary War.
Gambling is more than bright lights and flashing sirens, more than the metallic echo of tokens pouring from a slot machine. Gambling is a rich part of the American experience, which should be looked at with due reverence.
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