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Az-zahr and Mahjong – tradition makes gamblers
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Did you know that the Arabic word az-zahr (hazard, gambling) meant a game of dice – craps today – and dates back even 1000 years B.C.? Did you know it was popular in Egypt, attracted the Romans and that way spread throughout the world? Although scholars are not agreeing over the statement that gambling was indeed born in Arabic states, let’s have a look at the approach to gaming within Muslim societies.
It is by all means correct to start from introducing historical and cultural predispositions of Arabic civilization circle. Before the coming of The Prophet Muhammad tribal characteristics have grounded various concepts of celebration (for “gods”, the dead, the conquers) yet, it was largely connected with submission to particular group striving to survive on the Arabian Peninsula, rather than sheer entertainment. Qur’an and its holistic rules and regulations for Muslims, however, ordered:
"They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say, 'In them is great sin and some benefit for men; but the sin is greater than the benefit." (Qur'an 2:19) and "O believers! Intoxicants and gambling, worshipping stones and divination by arrows are impure, of shaytan's handiwork: refrain from such abomination that ye may prosper." (Qur’an 5:90).
As it is with “all-encompassing” religions, to put it straight, the Word of The Prophet forbids gaming activities for Muslims. But it has it’s direct explanation. It is, by faith and conscience, prohibited to undertake “transactions” that bring loss to the other, rely on chance and thus distract the believers from a path of righteousness. It is not the case, therefore, with charity or – to give you a vivid practical example – horse racing. For early Muslim societies horses have been a basic asset in trading, travelling and battles. It has been a strong Arab custom to breed a “perfect horse”. Let’s look at royal horse races in Muscat, Syria. That event has a vast tradition and, despite the fact we cannot today say that it has a direct connection with a well-being of the state and Muslim society, it is being carried out by a “prize-money” rule. 
There is an offer of a prize, no gainers, no winners. Races are held without betting and in this way cater to rules of faith and jurisdiction that has been appearing over the ages. Arabs like casual, common games, played in a circle of friends and neighbors. Arabic casinos do not have modus vivendi in majority of Muslim countries.
And yes, here we need to clearly say what that growth and natural advances in societies can bring to gambling in Arab countries. Needless to say that in particular countries the regulations and obedience of believers varies, stimulated additionally by the overpowering globalization. Some become stricter some more loosened. It is also obvious that, nowadays, the legal situation and popularity of gambling is strictly connected with Internet access. The level of centralized filtering and state intervention is diverse, coping with technological facilitations, RSS, multinational blogs. Let’s have a selective recap for tourists, give that gambling is prohibited for Muslims:• Saudi Arabia: gambling is illegal and an aggressive targeting of websites of such content is conducted. The country introduced public access to the Internet in 2000 (similarly to Iraq), but gambling sites are filtered (also of big scale in Oman, Sudan, Tunisia or Yemen).
• Egypt: a country that attracts gamblers; has numerous casinos and online gambling operators do not encounter significant restrictions (also foreign-licensed) and offer multi-lingual support.
• Iran: have 23% gamblers per citizens ratio although prohibited, according to Muslim faith. Online gambling is not allowed but using foreign sportsbook operators, though, is very popular.
• Indonesia: gambling is illegal; there used to be a state-run lottery but has been discontinued as a “game-of-chance”; in 2005 around twenty citizens have been punished to caning for undertaking money-wagers.
• United Arab Emirates/Dubai: gambling industry is legal and connected with tourism and entertainment policy run by luxurious resorts and hotels – thus, for tourists. Lotteries, horse and dog races are popular but the country sticks to the Muslim gambling ban.
The Arabic world will soon celebrate the Birth of the Prophet Mohammed (Mawlid-an-Nabī), just like Chinese will celebrate the New Year (this time, it’s the year of the tiger). So why don’t we take quick jump to Asia? Focusing on China we can observe that from a historical point of view, gambling and games have always been acceptable forms of social activity and truly a national pastime. Chinese families cultivate a custom of playing games with friends and relatives. Traditional table games, such as Mahjong (má jiang), dominoes or Keno (known 3000 years ago) can serve as examples. Gaming activities in China have a broad scope – from card games to very popular betting on animal races and fights – and you can find a narrow street in each town that runs those bets and games that remember ancient times. 
Then what’s the fuss? Well, simply the fact that gambling in Mainland China is, as such, illegal. It is so for two reasons – firstly the ruling Communist Party and its prohibitory sanctions somehow inherent for the system, and secondly social approach to any type of sharing (also motivated historically). In the Song or Ming Dynasty gamblers had their hands chopped off or sentenced to death. The public sphere falls into reality, different from the “Western” to this point, that even investing in stocks is considered as gambling – yet legal.
From every rule there is an exception. China allows “social welfare lotteries”, during which citizens, mostly low-income players that do not travel for entertainment, can take part in a game aimed at supporting social programs. Although many lotteries of an instant knowledge of the outcome are advertised, since early 2000s the government has been enforcing the introduction of only pre-printed cards or tickets, with results given on national TV shows. Some time ago an open phone line was launched for those, who’d like to give away illicit gambling activities they’ve witnessed.
But there goes Macau. A former Portuguese colony, returned to China’s rule in 1999. It is called the “Monte Carlo of the Orient” and gambling is legal there since mid-nineteenth century. Large part of Macau’s wealth is relaying on casinos and various legal facilitations for foreign businesses (local trade and gambling concessions’ syndicates) add to that. While China “considered” legalizing online gambling roughly in 2006, Macau e.g. horse-betting can operate since 2003. It is a “gambling hub” that generates revenue for $5 bln a year and has topped the Las Vegas Strip income already in the middle of 2000s. Where’s the hatch?
Naturally Mainland Chinese are prone to travel low-cost to Macau casino resorts, gamble for financial reasons, out of boredom or – in case of affluent businessmen, for fun and pastime for their wives. Still these citizens need visas to get to Macau and regulations concerning these “passports to luck” have been sharpen numerous times. It is no fully alright to say that Chinese authorities do not see the clear gain for the state from taxes and licensing, but since Macau established various business connections with Western gambling moguls, it is being said that citizens are solely “giving away money for foreign companies”, when visiting the place. It is the system, yes. Visas are granted every three moths, for a week or two. In 2008 Macau suffered a dramatic fall of income and visitors and it’s been stated that “the number of tourists exceeded the receiving capacity of Macau” – even though it is a “special administrative region” after all. There were half-finished hotels and resorts. Despite these troubles many experts say that mainland restrictions have got less and less chances to sustain such prohibition in upcoming years.
Macau is still proud of their “on top of lavishness” hotels and casinos. You’ve got the Macau Sands, Wynn Casino and MGM Grand Macau, The Venetian and world famous “Pharaoh’s Palace Casino”. Sound bit “Americanized”? Yes but these impressive facilities cater to the lovers of a classically-European feel and many resemble those in Europe. The heritage is not forgotten either. You can use stylish tea terraces and, by local superstition, you win a game of slots (called at times “hungry tiger machines”) by a line-up of 8, not 7. Baccarat is very trendy in Macau, also roulette, but table games (traditionally played in silence) such as Fan-Tan are of huge popularity.
Chinese really do fancy gambling. Not only motivated by the need of getting financial stability, deeply-rooted in their civilization. Not only businessmen and government officials travel for gambling anymore. Since 1980s there has been a shift from Japanese to Chinese “high-rollers” in American casinos. A huge number of Las Vegas visitors are Chinese (also Asian Americans themselves) and it’s been established that 90% of those who travel to U.S. visit the city as well.What can be most striking in comparing Chinese and Arabic traditions and variables that influence the status of gambling activities? It seems that in China the cultural factors and lifestyle justify gambling as acquiring money and as pastime. What’s aspiring to limit it are state mechanisms, social and civic restrains. In Arabic civilization it is the law, the state and most importantly faith, that regulates (not restrains) passions connected with gambling. Neither of these is supreme, it’s just different. And nor any of those cultural circles can stop the progress. It is, as we can presume, the difference in approach to individual, personal choice.
Ale
04-Feb-2010, 06:08
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