GAMBLING  AND CRIME

Addictive behaviour and its link with criminal activity has long been an area of research interest (e.g., alcohol, and to a lesser extent narcotic drug use). More recently, the same arguments have been used in relation to links between crime and problem gambling addiction. For instance, studies from various regions worldwide suggest an association between criminal activity and easily accessible gambling, yet, despite growth in the commercial gambling industry, relatively little is known about the nature, extent or impact of gambling-related crime. Problem gamblers tend to be individuals who are chronically and progressively unable to resist impulses to gamble and that their gambling compromises, disrupts or damages family, personal, and vocational pursuits. The behaviour increases under times of stress and associated features include lying to obtain money, committing crimes (e.g. forgery, embezzlement, fraud etc.), and concealment from others of the extent of the individual's gambling activities (Griffiths, 2006). Criminal behaviour is most commonly associated with problem gamblers because problem gamblers spend more than their disposable income and often have to resort to criminal activity as a way of getting money to carry on gambling and repay associated debt problems. Law enforcement officials claim that gambling expansion inevitably leads to “an increase in enterprise crime and money laundering activity particularly relating to casinos...and an increase in illegal activities such as loan sharking, extortion and frauds” (Proke, 1994; p 61). Public opinion polls also tend to reflect a general perception that a correlation exists between widely available gambling and crime. For instance, a Canadian study by Azmier (2000) found that 64% of participants agreed that gambling expansion leads to an increase in crime.

Male gamblers are more likely to become violent, and as problem gaming worsens, the intensity of the violence becomes more severe. That’s according to a new study conducted by the University of Lincoln in England and published by the Addiction journal.

Researchers evaluated 3,025 men ranging from 18 to 64 years of age from various socio-economic backgrounds to determine if they had ever engaged in violent behavior. Violent behavior was defined as a physical altercation, assault, deliberately attacking someone, using a weapon, and other malicious acts.

The study also inquired on whether the violence was performed under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and asked respondents about their personal gambling habits.

Eighty percent, or 2,420 of the respondents, said they had gambled at some point in their lifetime. Shockingly, 50 percent of pathological gamblers reported being in a physical altercation in the last five years. And 45 percent of problem gamblers and 28 percent of those who identified themselves as casual gamblers admitted to being involved in some sort of fight over the same time period. Comparatively, only 19 percent of non-gambling males reported being involved in a violent situation.

According to a reserch of gambler’s anonymous (GA) members, 46% of respondents indicated that they had committed an illegal act. These crimes were frequently armed robbery, theft or fraud (such as writing bad checks), and other studies have shown that domestic violenc-,, abuse-, and neglect-related crime rates are also higher amongst problem gamblers.In fact, problem and pathological gamblers are between 3 and 3.5 times more likely to be arrested and/or spend time in jail! 

Gambling addiction is astronomically higher amongst inmates as well. One study estimated that problem gambling is 300% to 500% more prevalent amongst prisoners than in the general population. More recently, some deputies of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department – which operates the largest prison system in the country – gave unofficial estimates that 40% to 60% of inmates in low- and medium-security jails presented with signs of problem gambling – as much as 16 times the rate of the general population! Gambling addicts are also 2 to 7 times more likely to take illegal drugs, binge drink and smoke. Many experts have also observed that they drive high, drunk, distracted or sleep deprived far more frequently than the general population.

Gambling-related crime tends to relate to four distinct types (Smith, Wynne & Hartnagel, 2003). These are: 

• Illegal gambling – Gambling activity that is counter to jurisdictional regulations statutes, such as operating without a gambling license, cheating at play, etc.; 

• Criminogenic problem gambling – Activities such as forgery, embezzlement, and fraud, typically committed by problem gamblers to support a gambling addiction; 

• Gambling venue crime – Crimes that occur in and around gambling locations, such as loan sharking, money laundering, passing counterfeit currency, theft, assault, prostitution and vandalism;

 • Family abuse – Victimization of family members caused by another family member’s gambling involvement, (e.g., domestic violence, child neglect, suicide, and home invasion). 

Why do some problem gamblers turn to crime?

Generally, because they experience the following sequence of events: asset losses; accumulating debts; exhausting legal means of obtaining funds including drawing on savings and retirement funds; borrowing from family and friends; cash advances on credit cards; and loans from financial institutions or “loan sharks” - until committing a crime becomes their only option. Although the evidence is anecdotal, loan sharking is widespread in casinos. Problem gamblers who use loan sharks generally exacerbate their troubles because debts are magnified, as is the stress from worrying about not being able to repay the loan. 

The American National Gambling Impact Study examined the possible causal relationship between problem gambling and criminal behaviour and indicates that among those who have not gambled in the past year, only 7% have ever been in prison. In contrast, three times as many individuals who have been problem gamblers at any point during their lifetime (21%) have been incarcerated. 

SOURCE: http://www.calpg.org/impacts-on-crime-and-suicide/

SOURCE: http://www.internetjournalofcriminology.com/Griffiths_Betting_Shops_and_Crime.pdf

  

MOTIVATING YOURSELF TO STOP

If you are in a crisis situation and likely to self-harm immediately ask for professional help. Once you are no longer in danger of harming yourself you can continue with this advice.

First you need to decide if your goal is to become completely abstinent and never gamble again, or to control your gambling to acceptable levels. List reasons for and against complete abstinence and controlled gambling, to help you decide on your ultimate goal.

You need to be honest to your partner, about your level of debt and perhaps seek financial assistance.

If you are committing offences to support your gambling habit: stop any further offence immediately; take responsibility for your actions – accept the consequences, with legal help; discuss your actions with your partner.

Avoid drinking before or during gambling; talk to your partner rather than drowning your sorrows indrinking after losing; if you are dependent on alcohol and/or drugs, consult your doctor; in a crisis seek help immediately rather than turn to alcohol or drugs which may increase your risk of self-harm.

Keep in mind that overcoming gambling will considerably improve your quality of life.

You may feel ambivalent about giving up gambling – it is necessary for you to understand your motivation. Write down at least ten reasons to stop gambling and list them starting with the most important. Do the same for reasons to continue gambling. Compare the two lists – can you see that your behaviour is affecting not only you but also others close to you; your gambling arises from selfish reasons and causes problems in all aspects of life; your stress levels would be much lower if you stopped gambling.

Others can help motivate a gambler by: Not pressurizing the gambler to seek help, since nagging tends to lead to resistance to help. Ensure the gambler takes responsibility for action to stop gambling. Provide him or her with information on what help is available. Protect yourself against any debts the gambler may incur and remove yourself from being responsible for these debts.

Consider the benefits for yourself and others if you stop gambling. Determine your level of motivation – are you realistic in your goal?

SOURCE:http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/media/downloads/Motivating%20Yourself%20To%20Stop.pdf

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

While risk factors make people more prone to experiencing substance use, problem gambling and mental health issues, protective factors serve to help buffer or shield people from the effects of negative things going on in their lives. As a result, protective factors can help prevent or lessen problem gambling, substance use or mental health issues.

Biological Protective Factors

Just as the genes people inherit from their parents can make them more susceptible to mental health, problem gambling and substance use issues, people’s genes can also make them less susceptible. Also, people may inherit adaptive personality traits that serve to help them “bounce back” faster after depressing events happen to them. Likewise, people also could inherit a tendency to deal more successfully with anxiety-provoking situations, thus helping to protect them from developing anxiety-related disorders.

Environmental Protective Factors

There are many beneficial things one can do to reduce the impact of negative life circumstances. As described below, protective factors can include actions taken to increase coping with life stressors, avoiding substance use and problem gambling, and seeking treatment for problematic mental health issues. Just as substance use, problem gambling and mental health problems can be risk factors for each other, avoiding substance use or problem gambling and maintaining good mental health can help prevent problems in these areas as well.

Coping Skills

One category of protective factors involves developing good ways of coping with stress and improving overall emotional well-being. In general, coping involves creating a supportive and nurturing environment for oneself, developing skills for interacting effectively with people, and maintaining a stable living and working situation. Good coping mechanisms include:

• Learning effective communication skills

• Learning problem-solving skills

• Developing a good support system

• Learning to take responsibility for one’s actions and well-being

• Maintaining employment and a meaningful day-to-day routine

• Participating in recovery/support groups (for substance use, problem

  gambling and mental health problems)

• Practicing relaxation skills and enjoying life

SOURCE: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/pgs/Cooccuringworkbook.pdf

BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS

Just as genetic makeup (biology) and environment vary from person to person, the way they interact creates a unique combination of risk factors for individuals.  Although the genes people inherit are out of their control, it is possible for people to take control of the environment and how they deal with that environment.  Addressing risk factors can reduce chances of developing or worsening substance use, problem gambling and mental health issues.

Biological Risk Factors

People can inherit from their parents’ genes that make them more or less likely to develop substance use, problem gambling or mental health problems.  Although the likelihood of developing one of these problems if one or both parents have the problem is not 100%, people whose parents have substance use, problem gambling or mental health problems may be at greater risk for developing them themselves.  The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition (1994) provides information regarding the increased risk for developing the mental health, gambling and substance use problems that will be discussed in this manual.  As can be seen in the table below, there is an increased occurrence of these disorders for individuals who have a firstdegree biological relative (i.e., close relatives like parents and siblings) with the disorder as compared with people in the general population (i.e., who do not have first-degree biological relatives with the disorder). 

was attributable to genes that influence both disorders.  These genetic studies strongly suggest an overlap in the genetically transmitted vulnerability of both substance use and problem gambling disorders.  One example of a biological factor that might contribute to risk for developing a substance use or gambling problem is differences in brain chemistry that make certain people more vulnerable to the effects of gambling, drugs or alcohol.  

Other biologically influenced characteristics such as personality traits, gender, and ethnicity also may affect how susceptible people are to substances of abuse and gambling and how likely they are to become addicted to them.  For example, some personality traits such as antisocial personality and impulsivity are associated with increased risk for gambling, alcohol and drug problems.  Females tend to be affected more by alcohol and/or drugs because of their body size and composition.  In terms of ethnicity, many people of Asian descent tend to have negative reactions to alcohol and, therefore, tend not to drink it as much.  As a result, they have reduced risk for alcohol problems when compared to other ethnic groups.  

Although it is not possible to choose one’s parents and the genes inherited from them, it is important to remember that genes are not everything a person is.  People may inherit a predisposition to thinking, acting, and feeling certain ways, but it is possible that people can change the ways they behave and feel and think.  Additionally, people can exert a great deal  of control over the environments in which they live and work, and, as the next section discusses, the environment can play a large role in how likely people are to develop mental health, problem gambling and substance use issues.

Environmental Risk Factors

Most often environmental risks involve some kind of stressor for the individual.  Stress may include life stressors, the relationships people maintain, and their health.  Stress can influence how likely it is that people will develop problem gambling,  substance use and mental health issues.  Likewise, gambling, substance use and mental health problems can become risk factors for each other.  In other words, using substances can influence gambling and both substance use and gambling can influence mental health.  Likewise, mental health can influence how likely people are to gamble or use substances. 

Stress 

In a more general sense, stress can be the result of trying to deal with negative things in the environment.  When people cannot adapt to stress, they become more prone to developing, or making worse, substance use, gambling or mental health difficulties, particularly if they are also at risk biologically.  Types of stress include the following:

Life stressors:

• Work (loss of employment, problems at work, new job)

• Moving to a new place

• Money (being unable to pay bills or having more money than usual)

• Being a victim of abuse or other  crime

• Housing problems (losing one’s home)

• Legal problems Co-Occurring  Disorders

Relationships:

• Death of a loved one

• Divorce, separation, remarrying

• Parenting (difficulties raising/caring for one’s children or having  unresolved           parent/child issues)

• Frequent arguments among family members and spouse/significant other

• Having few or no friends (lack of social support)

• Having friends who use drugs or alcohol or gamble

• Grief

 Health and Mental Health:

• Illness, injuries, or accidents

• Not getting enough rest or eating well

• Caring for a sick relative or friend

• Not dealing with feelings

• Abusing substances

• Gambling excessively

• Experiencing mental health symptoms

An example of a risk factor leading to mental health difficulties is the death of a spouse causing someone to feel depressed.  It is completely normal to feel depressed from time to time, especially after the loss of a loved one.  However, as will be discussed in upcoming modules, mental health issues that become too severe or last longer than is normal can sometimes become mental health problems that may require treatment.  An example of a risk factor leading to substance abuse or gambling problems is drinking or gambling to avoid dealing with emotional problems such as feelings of depression or drinking or gambling to cope with work stress.   

SOURCE: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/pgs/Cooccuringworkbook.pdf

HERC TIME TEAM ON THE WORLD MENTAL HELTH DAY

World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy agaist social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide. 

Herc Time Team

PSYCHOLOGICAL MISCONCEPTIONS IN GAMBLING

Many people gamble without giving it much thought – or do they? Psychology is actually involved from the start (“I feel lucky – maybe I’ll go play”) to finish (“I don’t want to quit when I’m down – maybe I’ll just play a little longer”).

If you plan to gamble, wouldn’t it be a good idea to first really understand how psychology affects everything, from the games you play to how much you bet to how you handle winning and losing?

Here’s a sampling of the concepts we’ll cover:

Optimism in Gambling: Good or Bad?

Some people tend to always see the glass as half full. In most areas of life, optimism is a positive quality, but in gambling, being too optimistic may be risky. Find out why.

Systems in Gambling: Trying to Make Sense of Randomness

The desire to make sense of randomness is natural. Over the years, countless gamblers have tried – without success – to develop systems to help them win. We’ll look at the faulty thinking behind many systems and explore why, with very few possible exceptions, betting systems just don’t work.

20/20 Hindsight in Gambling: Useful or Misleading?

Gambling would be easy if we could make all our bets after we know the results. It’s human nature to try to learn from our past experiences. Find out what you can learn from the past in gambling and what you should ignore.

Near Miss Beliefs: Close Doesn’t Count

Almost winning can sometimes be pretty exciting. Some people mistakenly believe that when you almost win on a machine, it means an actual win is coming soon. Read on to explore how “near misses” can affect how we think about gambling.

Hot and Cold Machines: There’s No Such Thing

A common myth among gamblers involves the idea that “hot” machines pay a lot and “cold” ones barely pay at all. Read on to learn why this just isn’t true – and where the myth comes from.

Selective Attention and Selective Recall: “I Only See What I Want to See”

It’s natural for us to focus on what’s happening right now, especially if it includes winning. Learn how our selective attention and selective memories can sometimes get in the way of seeing what’s really happening in gambling.

Unpredictable Payoffs: Learn How You Might be Affected

The chance to win can be very appealing. Knowing that every play gives you another chance to win can sometimes make it hard to quit. However, almost every form of gambling is based on a variable ratio reinforcement schedule, which means that the payoffs are unpredictable. Read on for a definition of this aspect of gambling and what it means to you.

Entrapment: “I’m Stuck at the Bus Stop”

We’ve all experienced the feeling of waiting for something that just doesn’t seem to be coming, whether it’s a bus, a phone call, or a friend we’re supposed to meet. When do you give up waiting – and what does this have to do with gambling? Read on to find out.

Don’t Get Caught Chasing

“The Chase” may sound exciting, but in gambling it can lead to disaster. Find out how to avoid the temptation to chase your losses.

Illusion of Control

Making bets, pushing buttons, choosing cards – these are all things people do when they gamble. But what do you actually control when you gamble? What do you have no control over whatsoever? Read on to find out.

Magical Thinking

Have you ever wished for something, and then it came true? Do you think your wish actually made it happen, or was it just a nice coincidence? Many gamblers look for magical intervention to bring them fortune and wins in gambling. Read on to explore how magical thinking might influence someone’s gambling and why these kinds of thoughts might be risky for some gamblers.

Superstitions and Rituals

Lucky numbers, rabbits’ feet, four leaf clovers, horseshoes – all are symbols of luck often associated with gambling. Read on to learn more about gambling superstitions and rituals, where they come from and why they can’t help you win.

Gambling and Keeping It Real

Exotic themes with waterfalls, talking statues, gladiators and fantastic prizes for the winning – none of these things would seem out of place in a major casino. Casinos offer a temporary escape from day-to-day routine; but don’t get too caught up in the fantasy. Learn some important tips for keeping your feet firmly grounded in reality.

SOURCE: http://getgamblingfacts.ca/psychology-of-gambling/

QUOTES FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY

If you’re struggling to overcome an addiction, no one needs to tell you it’s tough – you’re living it. Sometimes you could use a few encouraging words to remind you that you’re not in this alone and that, yes, change really is possible. Here are some quotes for addiction recovery that can strengthen your will and path while overcoming your addiction problem:

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” – Carl Bard

“If things go wrong, don’t go with them.” – Roger Babson

“Our greatest glory is not in ever failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.” – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“You must do the things you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress. It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.” – Alice Miller

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.” – Michael Jordan

If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.” – Samuel Johnson

“Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it.” – J. Petit Senn

“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up some place else.” – Yogi Berra

“Amazing how we can light tomorrow with today.” – Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking of what we want to become. Sometimes we motivate ourselves by thinking about who we don’t ever want to be again.” – Shane Niemeyer

“Every noble work is at first impossible.” – Thomas Carlyle

“Not feeling is no replacement for reality. Your problems today are still your problems tomorrow.” – Larry Michael Dredla

“I think that the power is the principle. The principle of moving forward, as though you have the confidence to move forward, eventually gives you confidence when you look back and see what you’ve done.” – Robert Downey Jr.

“Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.” – Charlotte Whitton

“Every experience in your life is being orchestrated to teach you something you need to know to move forward.” – Brian Tracy

SOURCE: http://www.addictiontreatmentpost.com/addiction-recovery-quotes-overcome-fear/

SOURCE: https://www.addiction.com/7215/70-best-quotes-for-addiction-recovery/

HISTORY OF GAMBLING

Why have humans throughout history gambled? What

explains the recent explosion of gambling ? 

The history of humanity is inextricably linked with the history of gambling, as it seems that no matter how far back in time you go there are signs that where groups of people gathered together gambling was sure to have been taking place. 

When you talk about gambling usually your mind goes to casinos, baccarat, roulette, lottery, dice etc. But have you ever thought about when or how gambling first originating?  The fact is that some forms of gambling have existed in virtually the same form for thousands of years.

There‘s a lot of evidence that gambling games existed in ancient times. From tiles found in China dating from 2300 BC and ivory dice found in Egypt from 1500 BC to gambling paraphernalia belonging to Bronze Age Greek soldiers, it’s clear that gambling is as old as civilization itself. While it is almost certain that some forms of betting have been taking place since the dawn of human history, the earliest concrete evidence comes from Ancient China where tiles were unearthed which appeared to have been used for a rudimentary game of chance. The Chinese ‘Book of Songs’ makes reference to “the drawing of wood” which suggests that the tiles may have formed part of a lottery type game. We have evidence in the form of keno slips which were used in about 200bc as some sort of lottery to fund state works – possibly including construction of the Great Wall of China. Lotteries continued to be used for civic purposes throughout history – Harvard and Yale were both established using lottery funds – and continue to do so until the present day.

The Greek poet Sophocles claimed that dice were invented by a mythological hero during the siege of Troy, and while this may have somewhat dubious basis in fact, his writings around 500bc were the first mention of dice in Greek history. We know that dice existed far earlier than this, since a pair had been uncovered from an Egyptian tomb from 3000bc, but what is certain is that the Ancient Greeks and Romans loved to gamble on all manner of things, seemingly at any given opportunity. In fact all forms of gambling – including dice games – were forbidden within the ancient city of Rome and a penalty imposed on those caught which was worth four times the stake being bet. As a result of this, ingenious Roman citizens invented the first gambling chips, so if they were nabbed by the guards they could claim to be playing only for chips and not for real money.

Gambling in the old days was a little different to your average trip to Vegas, with everything from rocks, sticks and bones being used as ‘chips’, but there is evidence of the first playing cards being used in China around the 9th Century AD. They then spread through Asia, and Mahjong tiles and dominos evolving later. Playing cards then traveled to Egypt and ultimately Europe in the 14th century, with a 52-card deck becoming standard at that time as well.

Some suggest that the earliest forms of blackjack came from a Spanish game called ventiuna (21) as this game appeared in a book written by the author of Don Quixote in 1601. Or was it the game of trente-un (31) from 1570? Or even quinze (15) from France decades earlier? As with all of these origin stories, the inventors of games of chance were rarely noted in the historical annals. The French game of vingt-et-un in the seventeenth century is certainly a direct forefather of the modern game, and this is the game that arrived in the US along with early settlers from France. The name ‘blackjack’ was an American innovation, and linked to special promotions in Nevada casinos in the 1930s. To attract extra customers, 10 to 1 odds were paid out if the player won with a black Jack of Clubs or Spades together with an Ace of Spades. The special odds didn’t last long, but the name is still with us today.

The earliest gambling houses which could reasonably be compared to casinos started to appear in the early 17th century in Italy. For example, in 1638, the Ridotto was established in Venice to provide a controlled gambling environment amidst the chaos of the annual carnival season. Casinos started to spring up all over continental Europe during the 19th century, while at the same time in the US much more informal gambling houses were in vogue. In fact steam boats taking prosperous farmers and traders up and down the Mississippi provided the venue for a lot of informal gambling stateside. Now when we think of casinos we tend to picture the Las Vegas Strip, which grew out of the ashes of the Depression in America.

Roulette as we know it today originated in the gaming houses of Paris, where players would have been familiar with the wheel we now refer to (ironically enough) as the American Roulette wheel. It took another 50 years until the ‘European’ version came along with just one green zero, and generations of roulette players can be grateful for that. During the course of the 19th century roulette grew in popularity, and when the famous Monte Carlo casino adopted the single zero form of the game this spread throughout Europe and most of the world, although the Americans stuck to the original double zero wheels.

It’s hard to pin down the precise origin of poker – as with a lot of the games mentioned here, poker seems to have grown organically over decades and possibly centuries from various different card games. Some have poker’s antecedents coming from seventeenth century Persia, while others say that the game we know today was inspired by a French game called Poque. What we do know for sure is that an English actor by the name of Joseph Crowell reported that a recognizable form of the game was being played in New Orleans in 1829, so that is as good a date as any for the birth of poker. The growth of the game’s popularity was fairly sluggish up until world poker tournaments started being played in Vegas in the 1970s. However poker really exploded with the advent of online poker and televised events allowing spectators to see the players’ hands. When amateur player Chris Moneymaker qualified for and won the 2003 world poker championship after qualifying through online play, it allowed everyone to picture themselves as online poker millionaires.

The first slot machine was developed in the late 1800s, with three spinning reels and five symbols. Gamblers quickly saw the benefits of such machines, and they were being mass produced for saloons and corner markets in the early 1900s. As brick-and-mortar casinos became more and more popular, the range of games expanded, offering both traditional table and card games to the new slot machines, and casinos became what they are today - billion dollar businesses. From the Las Vegas to Macau, land-based casinos still pull in the gamblers and make fortunes.

Society's view of gambling has also gone through an amazing metamorphosis during the last century. There was a time when society viewed gambling as a manifestation of the devil. Morally deemed a sin, it was also an illegal activity, serious enough to warrant time in prison.

On the surface, gambling has presented a glamorous and exciting lifestyle. Although gambling was associated with the rich and the sophisticated, it was also strongly linked to loose morals and organized crime. Related to every kind of excess, gambling had a seedy reputation and, perhaps, that was the appeal. And while this combination of glamour and seediness generated real excitement in people looking for a way to let loose, gambling, as an activity, was still viewed primarily as a vice.

During the 1950's, society entered what some might call the Las Vegas era. It was the time of the Rat Pack Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford. Unlike today, when the nearest gaming site might be as close as your local convenience store, legal forms of gambling were confined to what the travel industry designated as destination resort centres. During this time, society exhibited, if not a change in attitude, then a grudging acceptance.

In recent times, however, we have seen a dramatic shift in the manner that society views gambling and how it is delivered. It is now promoted as just another form of adult entertainment and is readily accessible to most citizens.

Since New Jersey legalized online gambling in 2011, there has been a boom in the interest people have in it. America has seen a move towards legalizing it state by state, as well as experiencing the rapid rise in mobile gambling. Across the globe, internet users are gradually veering away from their desktops and towards their handheld devices. This is true of online gamblers too, wanting to be able to enjoy their favorite games whilst on the go. The top gambling sites out there have recognized a market and have stepped up to deliver. With a wave of impressive mobile focused online gambling destinations taking the world by storm, it's safe to say that desktops are being left far behind in favour of more mobile alternatives.

SOURCE:https://popculture.knoji.com/the-history-of-gambling-ritual-beginnings/

SOURCE:http://www.gambling.net/history/

SOURCE:https://www.problemgambling.ca/EN/AboutGamblingandProblemGambling/Pages/HistoryOfGambling.aspx

SOURCE:http://www.onlinegambling.org/history.php

SOURCE:http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/gambling-ancient-civilizations-00931

SOURCE:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_card

SOURCE:http://luciovoicesofvegas.weebly.com/first-casinos.html

SOURCE:http://www.casinonewsdaily.com/slots-guide/types-slot-machines/ that? Well who knows, but when it comes to gambling all things are possible.

                

            10 GREATEST GAMBLING MOVIES

Gambling has always been an interesting subject for a film adaptation. The gambling means not only the act of gambling, sitting at a machine or roulette and investing / acquiring / losing money, but also deceiving, searching for money, constant pressure, conflict and disruption of relations with others, and often, to fraud. All together makes an ideal combination for a great action and drama.

Here are ten movies about gamblers that have received a high aggregate critical rating. Films are listed in order of their critical ranking, from lowest to highest.

10) Hard Eight (1996)

Before striking gold in 1997 with Boogie Nights, cerebral American filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson debuted with Hard Eight, a pared-back drama about a pro gambler past his prime. Just how a first-time director managed to assemble this all-star cast – which includes Samuel L Jackson and the sadly-deceased Philip Seymour Hoffman – is a mystery, but certainly pays dividends. Hard Eight is an indie gem that combines black as the ace of spades humour with a knowing study of high-stakes casino gambling.

9) Owning Mahowny (2003)

This semi-fictional tale of bank manager turned criminal gambler is a glimmering star vehicle for Phillip Seymour Hoffman who owns every moment of Owning Mahowny. The title character’s gradual descent into the dark recesses of addiction stands as a grave warning to us all that never feels preachy or condemnatory. Meanwhile, director Richard Kwietniowski employs sparse direction to downplay any sense of glamour in favour of a very human story of vice overcoming a man’s soul. You won’t leave this movie elated, but it’s sure to stick with you.

8) Croupier (1998)

Poor Clive Owen. Where did it all go wrong? The guy was a national treasure with some awesome roles under his belt, but a few too many dodgy projects have stripped him of his former glory. Still, at least he’ll always have Croupier. Jack Manfred (Owen) is a struggling writer who takes a job as a casino croupier to make ends meet. Subsequently, he’s sucked into a story of dark intrigue involving robbery, murder and deadly double-crossing. Owen oozes cool in the main role and the movie ingeniously uses the blackjack tables as a metaphor for the nature of fate, chance and happenstance in defining his life.

7) The Gambler (1974)

While a bloody good film by any standard, The Gambler is also a major downer, coming at a time when smiles were banned in Hollywood. James Caan stars as Axel Freed, an English professor whose problem gambling rapidly spirals out of control. With $44,000 in debts and a psychopathic bookie breathing down his neck, Freed resorts to desperate measures to try and balance the books.The film was apparently a favourite of Caan’s who commented: "It's not easy to make people care about a guy who steals from his mother to pay gambling debts." Damn right, and you pulled it off, buddy.

6) Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)

Another talented actor who’s wasted the last decade on absolute rubbish, Johnny Depp does a cracking job in this iconic performance as drug-addled journo Raoul Duke. In the film, Duke and his buddy Dr Gonzo embark on a psychedelic voyage to Vegas in search of riches, glamour and the American Dream. Freely adapted by Terry Gilliam from the Hunter S Thompson masterpiece, Fear And Loathing remains a filthy pleasure to behold, portraying Sin City as a surreal dreamscape through the eyes of its whacked out protagonists. If that sounds like your kind of thing, pop a pill and give this one a look. It’s far out, man.

5) The Cincinnati Kid (1965)

Not until Casino Royale in 2006 would poker be so engagingly portrayed on film. Norman Jewison’s direction perfectly captures the tense excitement of seeing the pot stack after the flop and of devising the best play while keeping an eye out for tells.Steve McQueen absolutely kills it as poker prodigy Eric ‘The Kid’ Stoner and is at his best during the film’s iconic ‘last hand scene’ (check it out in the vid above). Jewison later dismissed the film as an ‘ugly duckling’ and went on to enjoy greater success with movies such as Fiddler On The Roof, Rollerball and The Hurricane. Nevertheless, this has to be his magnum opus.

4) Rain Man (1988)

As well as being something of a comeback project for Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man is one of the best-loved (and certainly better known) gambling movies ever made. So, why is it way down at number four? Well, there may be better casino flicks out there, but this shouldn’t detract from the brilliance of Rain Man. The film’s conceit of a severely autistic introvert and his preternatural card counting talents has been referenced and parodied so many times, it’s all too easy to forget how great it was the first time around. Do yourself a favour, put down that DVD of The Hangover and get the real McCoy.

3) Casino Royale (2006)

007’s stunning return to form in 2006 is simultaneously the best entry in the entire franchise and one of the finest action movies ever, full stop. However, central to the action of Casino Royale is the utterly awesome high-stakes poker tournament, in which Bond fights to bankrupt terrorist banker Le Chiffre. If you’d bet that it was possible to make 40 minutes of cinematic poker edge-of-your-seat thrilling, I would have taken you at 100/1 odds and called you a chump. Fortunately, nobody did, so I didn’t have to fork over my pension fund. Lucky escape.

2) Rounders (1998)

Rounders is a thing of grim beauty. The narrative is as classic as they come: it’s the Rocky arc, with a plucky upstart forced to bounce back after getting his backside handed to him. However, it’s the performances that make this flick - particularly John Malkovich’s brilliant turn as deranged gangster Teddy KGB.

1) Casino (1995)

This movie would have to make the top three if only for Nicky Santoro.  Even if literally everything else about it was complete crap. Happily, Casino (1995) has a hell of a lot more to it than Joe Pesci’s smart mouth. Martin Scorsese is a pretty safe pair of hands (particularly when Mafioso are involved) and he’s on absolute top form here. Depicting the tense relationship between Las Vegas casinos and their criminal benefactors in the early 1970s, every aspect of this film is brilliantly realised. The casting, direction and script are all perfect – what more is there to say? Go watch it, unless you’re just a “low-life, motherf**ing degenerate prick".

SOURCE: https://www.rightcasino.com/news/10-greatest-gambling-movies/