The History of Gaming

The First Wave: 1600's to mid 1800's

The early colonies where broken into two groups the English who brough their English traditions and the Puritans.  The Puritans came to the new world to create a better society and the "New World" represented a place that they could discard the values of England.  States and colonies where broken into Puritan and non-Puritan law on gambling.

Gambling Moves West

During the early 1800's gambling in the Mississippi Valley became a legitmate enterprise.  Gambling establishments were started along the Mississippi River towns.  With this, also came professional gamblers who turned to cheating to make money.  IN 1835, a vigilante group actually lynched five cardsharks in Mississippi. 

Second Wave: Mid-1800's to Early 1900's

Now gambling moved further west with the gold rush.  San Francisco became the center for gambling in the United States.  Gambling was especially widespread in mining camps.

The Third Wave: 1930's to now

Legalized gambling was looked upon as a way to stimulate the economy.  Nevada legalized most forms of gambling in 1931 and was motivated mostly by a tourism boom created by the construction of the Hoover Dam.  Many casinos in Nevada were financed by mobsters.  Most notably the Falmingo whcih was opened by Bugsy Siegel.