Gambling is an innately human activity, and cultures and civilisations the world over have developed their own systems for playing games of chance and skill. While some of these have been lost to the mists of time, the games that we think of as ‘traditional casino games have their roots in these older games, with many diverging paths as games have spread across the globe.
From the simplest games that are almost universal to the games that are only played in certain parts of the world, gambling may have global appeal, but the way people play varies hugely.
The United Kingdom
As one of the most established traditions in British society, gambling has long been a part of UK culture, although it has gone from being the exclusive preserve of the upper classes to a much more prevalent pastime over the decades. Online gaming has become hugely popular and online slots are a favourite among players in the UK.
Football leads the field when it comes to sports betting, but there is a long tradition of horse racing in both Ireland and England, with greyhound racing popular in both countries too.
Singapore
Having recently legalised gambling, Singapore has invested heavily in its gambling industry and earned itself an international reputation as one of the most important gambling hubs in the world. Gambling tourists often choose Singapore as a destination because of its positive reputation, but safety and security come at a cost, and it is one of the more expensive places to play.
China
Gambling was illegal in all Chinese territories until Macau’s sovereignty was transferred from Portugal back to China and some of the established laws were allowed to stand. The legalisation of gambling, which took place back in the 1850s when Macau was an autonomous colony, has made Macau one of the most popular destinations for both Chinese citizens and tourists from all over the world.
Chinese casinos are often decked out in the national lucky colour of red, with gamblers wearing red clothes in order to attract luck to themselves. Many apparently bring an entirely red wardrobe, even including the garments that won’t be on show!
Japan
As the country from which so many video games originated, it perhaps comes as no surprise to know that online gambling has been embraced wholeheartedly by the Japanese public. While there was a long-term ban in place on many forms of gambling, the Japanese government recently decided to allow some exceptions to give players the chance to engage in a selection of approved games,
Unfortunately, fans of traditional mahjong cannot play for money in Japan as it has been specifically outlawed by the government and is not on the list of approved games. There is plenty of evidence of mahjong games where players have to place their bets surreptitiously, but the preponderance of mahjong parlours is purportedly just for friendly games.
USA
Often thought of as the heart of modern casino gaming, the USA has a reputation for serving up all the brightest and best things about casino culture and their approach to casinos has always been ‘the bigger, the better’. The Las Vegas strip is famous for providing both a culture shock and a total sensory overload to visitors who may never have seen quite so many iconic sights in one place before, from replicas of some of the world’s most impressive buildings to dancing fountains and breathtaking fireworks.
From grandiose casinos with ridiculously opulent features such as Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end boutiques, and sky-high roller coasters to the more down-to-earth welcome that visitors can get in the strip casinos, there’s something for everyone.
Nigeria
As one of the biggest gaming nations in Africa, Nigeria’s gaming market has grown significantly over recent years, largely due to the rise in cellphone ownership, the increasing availability of mobile games, and the popularity of blackjack. Mobile gaming accounts for more than ninety per cent of games sales and this saw the value of Nigeria’s gaming market exceed that of South Africa’s for the first time in 2022.
India
Gambling is legal in some of the states of India, but not in others, so it pays to check before trying to find a casino as the only places you can do so legally are in Goa, Sikkim, or Daman. As one of the most popular card games in the country, most casinos will host games of rummy and superstitious gamblers will avoid shaving on Tuesdays in order to avoid attracting bad luck.
Monaco
Despite being home to one of the most famous casinos in the world, featured in Bond films and other box office smashes throughout the last century, citizens of Monaco are not allowed to gamble in the Monte Carlo Casino.
Wherever you are in the world, the gambling culture can tell you a lot about the people of the area you are in. While there are some common themes that pervade most betting norms, there’s always something to be learned by watching how others approach risk and reward.