Gambling :: essays research papers

English attitudes and opinions prevailed in the impudent World, and created childs play in the States. Settlers brought with them the view that looseness was a clear diversion. In these colonies, play was a popular and accepted activity. Legal gambling tended to be those types that were considered gentlemen-like. For example, it took a long time for cock fighting and prize-fighting to sound legal because it was not considered a suitable gentlemens game. Although the financial tolerateers of the colonies viewed gambling as a source of the colonies problems, they began to see it as the solution as well. The Virginia Company of London was permitted by Britain to hold lotteries and raise money for the companys colonial venture. The lotteries were relatively sophisticated and included instant winners. Eventually, Britain banned the lotteries because of complaints from the English back home that felt that they were robbing Britains money. Proceeds helped establish some of the nati ons early and most prestigious universities -- Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Princeton, and William and Mary. Lottery funds were also used to earn churches and libraries. Among the lotteries was a private lottery passed by Congress in 1823 for the beautification of working capital D.C. Unfortunately, the organizers run off with the proceeds and the winner was never paid. Lotteries were not the single form of gambling during this era wagering on horse racing was a popular form of gambling. Unsurprisingly, it was not quite as organized as modern horse racing. The first racetrack in North America was built on Long Island in 1665. Casino gaming started slowly. Taverns and roadhouses would go forth dice and card games. The relatively sparse population was a restriction to establishing gaming houses, but as the population increased, by the early 1800s, lavish casinos were established in the young republic. During the 1830s, the actions of the professional gamblers came under growing interrogation and southern settlers turned against the professional gambler. The anti-lottery forces fought against lotteries and prevailed. In 1833 Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts endow an end to state authorized lotteries. By 1840, most states had banned lotteries. By 1860, only Delaware, Missouri, and Kentucky still allowed state-authorized lotteries. Nevertheless, the tickets of these few states were shipped around the country by post or smugglers. The prohibition also led to the creation of illegal lotteries. The luxurious rush brought a huge increase in the amount and types of gambling to California San Francisco replaced New Orleans as the center for gambling in the United States.