🏛️ Ancient Beginnings (Before 500 AD)
- 🔍 **First Evidence of Betting**: Archaeological findings show that people engaged in gambling activities during ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia.
- 🏆 **The Olympic Games**: Betting on the outcomes of athletic competitions began in ancient Greece around 776 BC.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Evidence of Betting | c. 3000 BC | Early forms of gambling found in Mesopotamian artifacts. |
| First Olympic Games | 776 BC | Start of betting on sports in Greece. |
📜 Medieval to Renaissance (500 – 1600 AD)
- ⚔️ **Rise of Knight Tournaments**: Betting became popular during knight tournaments in medieval times.
- 🎭 **First Sports Gambling Laws**: Establishment of gambling regulations in England and France.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rise of Knight Tournaments | c. 12th Century | Sporting events where betting was prevalent. |
| First Sports Gambling Laws | c. 16th Century | Early regulations introduced in Europe. |
📈 The Modern Era (1600 – 1900)
- 🏇 **Introduction of Horse Racing Betting**: Horse races began attracting widespread public interest and betting.
- 📅 **Formation of Betting Houses**: Establishment of legalized betting houses across Europe.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction of Horse Racing Betting | 17th Century | Horse racing became a significant betting sport. |
| Formation of Betting Houses | 18th Century | Laws solidifying betting establishments. |
🌐 20th Century to Present (1900 – Today)
- 💻 **Rise of Online Sports Betting**: The internet revolutionized the betting industry in the late 1990s.
- 📱 **Mobile Betting**: Betting apps made sports betting accessible on smartphones.
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rise of Online Sports Betting | 1990s | Transition from physical betting to online platforms. |
| Mobile Betting | 2010s | Significant growth with the advent of smartphone technology. |