Emerald Isle and its primordial passion

Now again, we are all on the deck of our cruise ship and ready for new exciting discoveries. Our gambling cruise is already out of the bay and sails directly into the open Atlantic. Bypassing the Strait of Gibraltar, we go around the whole country of Spain and head directly to the North, to one of the worlds gambling capitals, to the country ranked as the third one in the global gambling-rating, and a unique place that enchants every visitor with its pristine beauty, amazing vibrant culture and hot temperament.

So how? Had someone already guessed what kind of a country would be our next gambling port? I’ll give the last tip – it is the birthplace of reckless Celtic festivals and green nasty leprechauns with their pots of gold. Yes, it's funny and incredibly amazing Ireland! Soon, very soon we’ll moor on the coast of Emerald Island, which is much known for its gambling temper and love to one of the oldest forms of gaming entertainment – to sports betting.

No wonder that Ireland is considered to be one of the most hazardous countries with wild character, because people are so gambling as energetic and funny they are. Moreover, the majority of visitors of this wonderful places has the impression that the excitement and gambling nature are in the blood of the locals. Here, everyone is ready to rush forward chasing the adventures Leprechaun who hid the gold, or arguing with a neighbour, a friend, a parent, a child, a partner and even a chief about the most unusual and incredible things. Only in Ireland people can bet not on the winner, but on the loser or argue about the obvious things during hours. This is Ireland! What’s left to do? However, this unique and glorious nation, a descendant of the Celtic settlements, desperate daredevils are famous due to all these things. 

The gambling nature of the Irish and their incredible love for disputes entailed unprecedented popularity of sports betting. It is the most popular Irish gambling hobby we’re gonna talk about today.

Sports betting or any other betting on interest originated with the dawn of civilisation. The contradictions, as well as a desire to prove one’s rightness, are inherent in human nature. Unofficial sources speak of disputes and bets of ancient people about the best hunting strategies for wild animals or choice of the place for new settlement. Many scientists are inclined to the idea that the ancient Greeks, as well as the ancient Egyptians, were very reckless and greedy. Even the Greek myths described primitive semblance of sports betting, or rather, a game of dice between three powerful gods Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. They played off the territories, which they would subsequently rule. Officially competent sources also claim that the concept of sports betting and gambling disputes were originating almost simultaneously in every ancient empire and developed rapidly, until the advent of chaotic bookmakers.

So, informal bets on the outcome of sporting events were popular everywhere. But not everywhere and not everyone was allowed to such gambling entertainment. For example, in ancient Rome sports betting fever has gripped the whole empire. Therefore, there were regularly issued new laws and decrees banning such gambling craze for ordinary people. They could bet only once a month, in contrast to the rich Romans, who were allowed to start a sports betting at any time.

The subject of the dispute, as well as the rate could serve the most incredible questions and subjects. So, for example, everyone could parley his wife, daughter or sister for the lack of cash. People often put their own bodies or parts of bodies, or even their lives in the bets. The American Indians, pioneers of basketball, had a rather cruel custom: they executed the captain of the losing team. Such games, according to the local legends, were always interesting and entertaining, as players fought to the last.

The first semblance of modern sports bets appeared in the 17th century, when the heads of poor families or merchants intended to sell the horses and arranged presentations. They organised races and endurance competitions and secretly made the reservation of the size of payments in the event of particular horse winning.

The first documented mention of horse racing betting was found in France in 1651, and, in fact, the bet was signed by representatives of the nobility. At the beginning of the 18th century in England during the reign of Queen Anne, horse racing was established an official sport, and any bet was an integral part of the atmosphere of gambling competition. Such sports betting like the fever, at lightning speed captured the interest of entire cities and countries across Europe and the territories on the other side of the Atlantic. Throughout the world, it was difficult to find a person who would never make a bet on any sporting event.

And almost 200 years later, in the 19th century in England (Ireland and Scotland as well) appeared the first professional bookmakers, who turned chaotic bets into a meaningful system from which it was possible to get huge profits. A little later appeared the first restrictions on the opening of the sweepstakes. So, in 1853 in England was passed a law prohibiting the opening of betting shops. But it almost did not reduce the number of clandestine bookmakers and never reduced the people's interest towards this gambling entertainment. Nevertheless, the long awaited legalisation of sports betting occurred only 108 years later, in 1961. There were the years of betting activity burst, when up to 35 new bookmakers’ offices were opening every week.

As for Ireland, their own national laws regulating the gambling industry were published in 1956. The authorities strictly forbade any gambling activity, but in small underground bookmakers’ clubs there was turned a blind eye. This gave an excellent opportunity for the development of such a popular sports betting.

That was how rapidly the gambling passion for sports betting developed on the Emerald Island. This national craving and love for bets up to the present days remains the most popular gambling entertainment in the third-worlds gambling capital.

And you, dear gambling traveler, today have a great opportunity to get acquainted with the wonderful green island, its outlandish Celtic culture and an irresistible craving for reckless disputes and bets for the most unusual and incredible events. Our cruise docked, and you have a whole week to explore a multi-faceted and hot Ireland. And do not forget to look up into the local pubs and make bets on horse or dog races and even the date of the volcanic eruption end. 

Have cool time and big wins!