The origin of gambling is found in the US 12,000 years ago

A discovery that changes the history of chance

The history of gambling It could be more linked to America than previously thought.

Archaeological find places the origin of games of chance 12,000 years ago.

The finding, disseminated by countless international media and based on a study published in the scientific journal American Antiquity has identified evidence of chance-based practices in the southwestern United States with an age greater than 12,000 years.

The research, led by anthropologist Robert J. Madden , is based on the analysis of 28 archaeological pieces found in sites from the Folsom period, in territories such as Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.

These objects, made of bone, Madera and stone, have marks that point to their use in dynamics similar to current dice games in different cultures and historical contexts.

The dating places these artifacts between 10,895 BC. And 10,305 BC, which makes them the oldest known so far. This data positions them thousands of years earlier than the oldest records documented in Africa, Europe or Asia, which barely date back to 3,000 BC.

This change in chronology is not minor. For decades, the dominant theory placed the birth of chance in Old World civilizations , especially linked to very specific ritual or religious contexts.

However, this new evidence forces us to rethink that story and consider the Native American communities as protagonists early in the development of these practices.

Furthermore, the researchers emphasize that the absence of similar findings in other regions of North America does not imply that they did not exist, but rather that they have not yet been identified or studied in depth within the archaeological record available today.

What were the first dice games like?

Unlike today's cubic dice, these objects had simpler shapes. Were flat pieces, often with two distinct faces , one of them marked. The system consisted of throwing several at a time and counting how many remained with their faces visible after each specific throw.

This type of dice game evidences an early understanding of randomness. Although they did not have defined mathematical models, These systems already sought to cause random results , an essential base in prehistoric games.

Researchers call these artifacts “binary lots” , a system based on binary results that shows that These communities already handled basic concepts of probability intuitively.

This ability to abstract chance, even without advanced mathematical tools, reinforces the idea that Play has been a constant in cognitive evolution human from its earliest known and documented stages.

From the past to the present of online gaming

Beyond entertainment, the study suggests that these practices had a relevant social function. In some contexts, they could involve exchange of goods or even bet on games of chance , which favored interaction between human groups and communities.

Unlike other regions of the world, where chance was linked to rituals or divination practices, in North America its recreational use predominated. This nuance reinforces the idea that the game has historically been a tool of social cohesion .

The continuity of these dynamics is especially significant. From these rudimentary systems to today's online game, the principle remains the same: introduce uncertainty to generate excitement .

Today, millions of users participate in online gambling through digital platforms, but under a logic that connects directly with these first forms of gambling. This finding redefines the origin of gambling and provides a new perspective on its role in human evolution.

It also allows us to better understand why chance continues to have such a relevant weight in society current. In line with this evolution, the sector continues to grow both in Ireland and globally, driven by digitalization and new consumer habits.

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