Six-sided dice have been found in Mesopotamia, one of the first civilizations in existence. It is estimated to be more than 5,000 years old, it’s a clear indication that the excitement experienced at today’s casinos likely started from a modest beginning. Here are 5 Reasons Gambling is so Popular.
Thousands of years since ancient cultures presumably wagered things like grain and art, gambling has turned into a $100 billion+ industry every year. And it’s only growing.
Here are the 5 Reasons Gambling is so Popular and for real money so much.
1 – Monetary Benefits
Abiding by the adage “Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.”
The concept of making money and not doing any real work is something that people are constantly looking for. But making money for playing a game that you like is a jackpot.
The interesting thing about gambling is that it’s enjoyed, often to excess, by people of all backgrounds and socio-economic strata. This is because all people want to win money while being entertained.
Gambling is often exciting, and something that brings in both members of the opposite sex and large amounts of money.
2 – Stress Buster
Although it may not be true to many, often it can be relaxing for many also. Some peoples, however, use the casino as a form of stress relief. Yes, this can be an indication that gambling has become problematic.
When you’re gambling, especially in a fast-paced environment, you tend to focus on what’s in front of you. It can take off your mind from other things for a while and it all can wait until you’re finished. This makes gambling a welcome distraction for people looking to avoid other problems in their lives. This is one of the 5 Reasons Gambling is so Popular.
3 – Your brain enjoys it
Of course, this statement varies from person to person, but one thing is not up for debate – at that moment when the roulette ball is spinning, the slot machine wheels turning, or any other situation where the result of your bet is hanging in the balance, your brain is super active.
It has been proven that while gambling endorphins in the brains are released regardless of if you win or lose.
You might have noticed that when you place a bet, whether it’s on a hand of blackjack or a football game that the feeling experienced after a win is more relief than joy. Science has proven that the “pleasure chemicals” are most active when you don’t yet know what the result of your bet is going to be.
Hence the entire concept is to see why some people become addicted to gambling even when it seems like they never win. The physiological attraction toward gambling isn’t about winning money, but about experiencing that excitement of not knowing which way the dice are going to land.
4 – The excitement of it is boundless
Not everyone loves gambling. Every person has his or her idea of what constitutes reasonable risk tolerance, and for some (probably prudent individuals), betting money in a situation where you’re fighting an uphill battle in terms of probability is not a good idea.
With that being said, there is undoubtedly a huge percentage of the population that does have the stomach for it.
When it comes to gambling, one of the benefits is that people can choose their level of risk. Some people have the stomach to make risky choices when it comes to physical activity, those people may also be more inclined to make risky bets while gambling. For such people, the potential reward comes from extreme sports or the money that comes from a gambling win.
5 – Socialization
Sports bettors have realized long back that there’s just something joyous about being in the company of other people while collectively rooting for a particular outcome. This environment is seen in sports bars across the world daily.
A feeling of being in a group of people in itself gives a sense of pleasure and relief for many people. When you go to a casino, every gambler is playing against the house. In that way, it’s easy to feel like everyone is on the same team – a nice sentiment.
When you stand around a blackjack table or observe players living and dying with each throw in craps you feel connected. It is in many ways both heart-warming and quite frankly, disheartening. It is amazing, how quickly a group of strangers can come together when there’s the chance of winning money.
Just as it happens with any other hobby, people develop groups of friends within the structure of their favorite activities. This can make it difficult for somebody to stop making trips to the casino, even when they know it’s probably the right move to stay home.
The idea of socialization isn’t only in gambling. Things like drinking at bars, smoking cigarettes, and even harder drug use all have a group component that makes it hard to avoid.
In all facets of life, communities are difficult to leave. Once you’ve developed a bond with a group, the natural inclination is to see it through. This has both saved people from compulsions and caused them to continue.
Synopsis
Throughout human history, few activities have stood the test of time like gambling. With evolving technology and laws and regulations becoming more relaxed, it’s not unreasonable to think the future generation will see gambling become even further intertwined with the human experience.
