Gambling holds a long – though often unofficial – tradition within military life. Both games and wagering have a long history, and the two came together as a pastime despite prohibitions by commanders from different eras.
Military routine, which has long stretches of inactivity, creates an environment where games of chance become alluring. Soldiers facing immense stress and the constant threat of death found distraction and camaraderie within these games – and perhaps even a taste of control.
Why gambling thrived in military life
A few different things fuelled gambling’s prevalence among squadrons. The military often appears as a high-octane, exciting but dangerous environment. In reality, it’s mostly waiting around. Long periods of downtime are what create boredom, which fuels games. These aren’t always casino or gambling games of course, but that plays a role.
Games are a way for soldiers to escape from war’s harsh realities and anxieties. Plus, creating bonds with your fellow troops was important, which is why it was often overlooked by commanders. And, let’s not forget that military service often attracted individuals comfortable with risk.
The knock-on effect has been a military influence within casino games. On sites like betfirstcasino.be, military slot games are popular in part due to this intertwined history.
From revolution to civil war
Attempts to curb soldier gambling dates all the way back to America’s founding. General George Washington, in fact, issued orders in 1776 which denounced card playing and other games viewing them as “vice and immorality”. Enforcement, however, was of course inconsistent. Washington himself meticulously recorded personal gambling winnings and losses, proving the rule to be hypocritical.
Gambling became rampant during the US Civil War despite it being illegal within the army. It was so widespread though, that one Federal division earned the nickname “the Army of the Games”. Officers “officially” forbade it, but the practice proved to be unstoppable, even among the officers themselves. Games included Poker, Faro, dice games, checkers and chess. It was common for soldiers to wager clothes and tobacco, or sometimes even an entire month’s pay.
Global conflicts
The World Wars, of course being global in nature, helped spread military gambling culture to other nations. It wasn’t that it was only American soldiers gambled, but different nations had different games. World War I was when American soldiers took on the French game of Blackjack, while they introduced Craps to Europe in return. By World War II, Craps was perhaps the most popular game among Allied soldiers and it was often on blankets.
Card games have such a long history of their own. Contract Bridge Poker and Pinochle were top choices for the Americans. And of course, access was easy, as decks were cheap and were even supplied by the Red Cross or sent by families.
Chance and comradeship through history
From the Revolution through the World Wars, games of chance were a constant for soldiers – they knew they could turn to it during downtime for a distraction. Though, it was more than just passing time. It could be seen as a coping mechanism for the harsh realities of war and their duties.
