Gamblings linage goes back to ancient times. It's also universal. Early man gambled every day of his life that a wild animal wouldn't kill him while hunting for food.
Historians tell us that gambling dates back at least to the Paleolithic period, before written history. It was the Mesopotamian culture that invented the first six-sided dice thousands of years ago. As early as 2000 B.C. in ancient China, the Book of Songs records a game where those who play draw wood tiles in what appears to be a lottery game.
Gambling has a mixed history of being popular and being reviled in most societies. Christians, as well as Muslims, Jews, Baha'i, and other religious groups have a historically opposed gambling. From a Buddhist perspective, recreational gambling would be considered harmless and not against the Precepts. However, because all gambling plays at least some element of greed, it is certainly unbecoming for Buddhist organizations to raise funds by lotteries and games of chance.
Organized gambling on a large scale and sanctioned by governments and other authorities in order to raise money began in the 15th century with lotteries - and centuries before in China with Keno.
Today lotteries are commonplace in America. The first modern government-run US lottery was established in Puerto Rico in 1964. Instant lottery tickets, also known as scratch cards, were introduced in the 1970s and have become a major source of lottery revenue for state governments. Multi-state lotteries, such as Powerball and Mega Millions, came into being starting in the mid-1980s, as smaller states banded together in order to get in on massive jackpots and attract more people.
It's interesting to note that prior to 1964, lotteries were illegal in the country. But greed is a powerful stimulant that overcame gambling laws one by one.
According to the Mental Health Foundation research department gambling can cause low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
It can become an addiction, just like drugs or alcohol. It also affects the part of the brain that releases dopamine (our natural high). Problems with gambling can lead to bankruptcy, crime, domestic abuse, and even suicide.
So why even gamble?
The experts tell us the personality of a gambler is complex and multifaceted. Gamblers are risk-takers, impulsive, optimistic, competitive, and sometimes use gambling as a form of escape. Apparently, it's in our DNA when you consider how long mankind has been taking chances for a thrill.
Because I fit in several of the above categories I know something about gambling. I confess I was addicted to it at one time. When I got back from Vietnam in 1970, I was addicted to adrenaline highs and did a lot of crazy things. Driving fast, picking fights, and gambling when I couldn't afford too were all symptoms of my PTSD. I struggled for years until I finally got help.
I learned that mental health disorders are common factors for people who gamble along with certain personality disorders.
As it Stands, the good news is there are plenty of organizations who can help you if you can't control your urges to gamble.
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