There are a lot of industries across the globe that have taken the generally public by storm in recent decades. Video games are the fastest-growing pastime of our age, but they’re still far behind organised sports, along with watching television. These are all modern ways of spending time, however, while gambling is arguably the oldest pastime in the history of mankind. We have always loved gambling, and evidence of our ancestors indulging in it can date back countless thousands of years.

But why do we love it so dearly, and why has it always entranced us so? Here we will look at the answers to the questions and why they are pertinent even to this day.

The Rush of a Risk

The human brain is one of the most complex structures that we’ve ever come across, but there are some basic blueprints that it has no choice but to follow, and one of these is the risk and reward system. When we feel a rush, the brain emits specific neurotransmitters that make us feel excited or happy. And this is an effect that can be induced endlessly through a game of chance. Because we don’t know what will come next when we gamble, our brain is primed for anticipation to the point where it can create a natural high, something that has kept us hooked since the beginning of time.

Escaping Reality

One of the reasons we follow any pastime is to escape the mundane events that make up our lives. It gives us a form of escapism from having to do the same things day in and day out, to the point where it can become something of a vice if not kept in check. Escapism is important for us, however: it allows our brains to take a break, to stop focussing all of its energy on getting through the day and instead take some time off, as it were. There are few better ways of doing this than by having a few rounds with a slot machine or game of poker.

The Social Aspect

Gambling has traditionally been done with other people, whether it’s with them or against them. And like anything in life, with a focus on sports in particular, doing an activity with other people generally makes it more enjoyable. This explains why casinos are designed for large amounts of people at one time, why people tend to play poker together, and why the online gambling industry was quick to make sure that players and bettors from around the world were able to play against each other while also being able to chat.

 The Chance of Winning

Of course, above all else, there’s the notion that it’s a quick and easy way of getting a big reward with relatively low risk, such as with basic sports betting or online gambling. While there is some misconceptions to address regarding this idea, it’s still one that does hold true in the right situation. Not only is it a fun pastime that can help us escape life for a little but, there’s a chance a the end of it all that there could be a reward.