ABSTRACT
In discussing the origins of modern gambling we obviously have to take the long view: to understand any new developments we must place them in the context of what came before. I will start with a general overview, a quick analysis focussing on what I see as the fundamental stages in the long evolution of gambling, from its beginnings to today. Then I will look more closely at the decisive moment that saw the birth of modern gambling. I shall be concentrating exclusively on gambling as manifested in the European cultural tradition, leaving aside other important areas of the subject which, especially as regards Chinese culture, are equally and perhaps even more interesting. 1
