Ancient Gambling Items Found in Utah Cave

The research of historic gambling has been given quite the boost last month, when archaeologists from the University of Alberta and Brigham Young University discovered gaming artifacts in a cave on the shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, dating back to the 13th century.

Among the 10,000 pieces believed to be in the cave, the researchers have dug up primitive dice, carved sticks, trinkets and other items which were used for gambling games.

America's First Casinos

The alleged gambling items were said to be found near the cave's entrance, in an area that was probably designated as a social space to members of a culture known as the Promontory.

Dr. Jack Ives, one of the researchers involved, told West America archeology site Western Digs: "The numbers and diversity of gaming artifacts that we see in the Promontory record are unparalleled in western North America."

Gambling as a Social Tool

Researchers believe that gambling was used to forge new relationships, settle conflicts and in other cases, to determine who will be assigned certain tasks. It is also believed that women were more involved in dice games, with bets being placed on small items and decisions such as who will do the chores.

Carved Sticks to Smartphones

It is wondrous to think how far gambling has went from carved sticks and improvised dice to desktops, laptops and mobiles. What was once an undertaking that involved hunting and gathering has become something that millions of people do with a swipe of their finger nowadays at top online mobile casinos like All Slots Casino and No Bonus Casino.

Perhaps the location of the cave could also work in favor of US iGaming regulation, as it solidifies the fact that gambling has been around for quite some time in North America, serving as an important social tool apart from pure entertainment.