1638- The Puritans of Massachusetts enacted America's first law against gambling. It was based on the Idleness Statute of 1633 which outlawed the possession, even in one's home, of cards, dice, and gambling devices. The statue was passed in opposition to unproductive time or idleness.

However, illegal gambling also provides money for the underworld activities of crime syndicates, leads to some police corruption, and can lead directly to other types of crime. Data tables and a list of 42 references are supplied.