For around a thousand years, maybe more, individuals have been testing their luck at various games of chance, or gambling. For example In ancient Rome, the locals bet on many sports events...for example the most unbelievable sporting event EVER...the gladiator fights that took place within the Coliseum. In those times, events like which were several of the best gambling spectacles, lottery as well as in many instances were for the sole entertainment of the Kings and/or Queens of Europe through the middle ages. Royalty were known to be very serious gamblers, and actually set the tone for that sort of event... Actually, there are lots of books that cover the topic telling the story that many of the Kings and/or Queens were seriously addicted to gambling, and that many nearly bankrupted their own countries because of their addiction.