Casino and Its Sociological Impact

Gambling has been a part of most cultures throughout civilization.

Gambling artifacts have been found in Egyptian tombs as well as in archaeological discoveries in Nevada. These discoveries indicate old cultures, and many Native Americans were involved in various forms of gambling thousands of years ago.

There is some speculation that games and gambling were invented as a pastime. It was discovered, however, that invariably some of the participants cheated.

The cheating aspect of gambling has haunted its reputation up to the present time.

When the European colonists arrived on the North American continent, they met the Native American playing many games of chance. The Europeans also brought them some of their own games.

Many of the gambling games that are played today in the United States came with the colonists during the late sixteenth century.

Several of these games originated from games of chance, and tournaments held in Europe. When these games of chance changed to gambling, puritan England, the church and other moralists did not support it.

To an extent, this viewpoint of 'something for nothing' has continued to the present--- gambling is still not accepted in many sectors of society. During the past fifteen years, there has been a tremendous proliferation of casino gaming within the United States of America and the world.

Within the United States, after the legalization of casinos in Atlantic City, casinos have spread on the riverboats and on the Indian reservations.

The opening of the gambling frontier has meant that a greater number of Americans, and other nationals, have increased access to gambling.

Puritan values support the viewpoint that a person should work hard, and that hard work is good. The whole concept of gambling undermines this philosophy. Historically, we notice that people not only gambled to win, but they became so obsessed with winning that they cheated.

This observation also tarnishes the practice of gambling.

A typical gambling generalization leads one to imagine that all persons who gamble are cheaters and, hence, dishonest.

One of the concerns about gambling has always been the environment in which it occurs. Historically, in the United States of America, gambling usually occurred in saloons, bars, back rooms, or smoke-filled chambers.

There were drinking, music and women. There was also cheating in the games. Although the time has changed, there is still the drinking, smoking, and the women. Presently, the back rooms have replaced with glitzy, brightly lit rooms.

Women are still there, either as cocktail waitresses, or scantily dressed cabaret dancers, and in some cases, as gamblers. Included in this environment, gambling normally brings addiction, prostitution, substance abuse and crime.

The argument for casino gambling in a community usually boils down to economic and social concerns. Many communities that are economically depressed usually present the argument that a casino would provide jobs and help with taxes.

On the other hand, those who are against casino gambling usually cite the social costs incurred by communities because of casinos.

This situation is a double-edged sword. Can the economic benefits overcome the large social costs?