People enjoy wagering as it provides them with eagerness and the opportunity to earn extra money without needing to put much effort in. When ancient cultures first discovered dice games and gambling years ago, they used them to settle disputes, win or lose their freedom, and even all of their possessions! With so much at stake, it's no surprise that many people turned to the gods and asked for help.
The gods of gambling, and betting in general, have a long and illustrious history that dates back practically to the dawn of existence. The adrenaline thrill of games of chance has always appealed to people. Some ancient tribes even employed dice games and coin tossing to settle disagreements and liberate captives.
Before placing their wagers, people would often seek heavenly guidance from gambling gods and goddesses. This is a tradition that some people still follow to this day. We'll now take a look at some of the most famous gambling gods and goddesses but before that let us discuss a little more.
Continue reading to learn more about the smart gods and goddesses of wagering, and maybe, just maybe, they'll bring you some good luck.
The dazzling lights of Las Vegas, green felted card tables, and brilliantly coloured one-arm bandits come to mind when we think of gambling. Correct? This may be how gaming is today, but it has a long and illustrious past.
People used to look to divine inspiration for auspicious guidance in the past.
It's good to know that someone is watching out for you when you're playing at one of the best online casinos, whether you're playing online slots or automated roulette.
It's not uncommon for many gamblers, whether in a live casino or online, to pray to the Gods for a little luck before placing their bets, even those who claim they don't believe in luck.
Many mythological Gods are thought to be responsible for luck, and some of them can even play a mean game of cards.
The ancient players prayed to specific gods for a victorious game because they lacked the advanced technologies and methods that gamblers rely on today. Do you want to know who they prayed to?
Here at Justgamblers, we have made a collection of gambling legends from throughout the world according to publicly available sources, so that it becomes easy for you to boost your knowledge regarding the gods of gambling.
Nezha – The Chinese God of Gambling
The tale about the Chinese God of Gambling Nezha is somewhat fascinating. Nezha is a mischievous Chinese god of luck and gambling. He is often asked for help with gambling and lotteries and is the only Chinese god mischievous enough to reveal winning numbers. According to the legends or, we can also say as per Fengshen Yanyi, he was born during the Shung dynasty to Li Jing’s wife in a military fortress after she had been pregnant with him for three years and six months. His father was convinced he was a demon and tried to slay him.
He was also born as a young boy and not as an infant. He was eventually confronted by Ao-Ping, the son of the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea Ao-Kuang, and there was a battle.
Nezha won and killed his enemy. However, Ao-Kuang wanted revenge and Nezha committed suicide in order to protect his family and the people. After a series of events, Nezha came back to life and began his heroic career of demon-slaying together with his father Li Jing. Years later, Nezha was in Heaven, enjoying the rewards of his past deeds. The mortals on the Earth began to worship him, praying for protection.
The legend says that he was also invoked for help with lotteries and gambling and that he was probably the only one of the Chinese Gods who was mischievous enough to reveal the winning numbers.
Chinese Taoism is a tradition in China which emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, or “The Way.” The Tao is the source, pattern, and substance of everything that exists.
The discipline teaches that in order to attain perfection, you must become “one” with the random rhythms of the universe. The ethics vary depending on the particular school, but they all tend to emphasize action without intention, living according to your nature, simplicity, spontaneity, and the Three Treasures: compassion, frugality, and humility.
His father was unsuccessful, and when he was born, he was a walking and talking child as opposed to an infant. After Nezha learned of a threat to flood Chentang Pass, he committed suicide to save his family and the other people of the region. His mother built a temple for his soul to rest, which flourished because he granted miracle cures to the sick and disabled.
After events concerning his father, he came back to life to begin his journey as a demon-slaying hero. Years later, he went to heaven to enjoy the rewards of his good deeds.
Hermes – The Greek God of Gambling
If you are versed with Greek mythology, Hermes is a Greek God who is known for a variety of things, including gambling but he is most known for being the Gods' messenger, a "divine prankster," and a guide to the Underworld, among other things. To the ancient gamblers, though, his name held a unique meaning. Hermes, also regarded as the God of Gambling, Risk, Wealth, and Gaming, was the one to whom players prayed before indulging in any gambling game.
In truth, Hermes is described as a trickster in certain myths, capable of outwitting the other gods for the welfare of humanity or for his own personal joy and happiness.
Hermes is renowned as the "divine trickster," and it seems out he was up to no good from the beginning.
We would like to recall that gambling has a special place in Greek mythology, since legend has it that Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades split the cosmos with a game of dice.
Hermes is a deity who represents archetypes. While he is connected with fertility, riches, and luck, this old-timer had a rascally side to him. While he oversaw farmers' harvests and commerce, scholarly works usually remind us that he was also recognized for his mischievous and cunning personality.
Hermes is a name you may be familiar with. With a small round hat and winged sandals, he's the Greek god's messenger. With his father Zeus and the eleven other Olympians, he resides on Mount Olympus.
It was evident from the moment his mother, Maia, gave birth to him that he was unique. Hermes was conceived, born, and raised in a single day.
Before the first day was out, Hermes had stolen his half-cattle brother's and developed the lyre! Hermes has been dubbed the God of Gambling because of his reputation as a cunning trickster and his ability to outwit the other gods. Gods and goddesses exist throughout Greek mythology.
They rule over every element of humanity's daily lives until they forget about us, therefore it should come as no surprise that the Greek pantheon has its own god of gambling.
Hermes, Zeus's messenger and a bit of an enfant terrible, enters the picture.
Hermes had been up to no good since he was a baby. In Pieria, he once kidnapped Apollo's herd of 50 cattle and kept them hidden so well that even the Satyrs couldn't discover them. His adventures didn't stop there, too.
He took Poseidon's famous trident, Artemis' arrows, and Aphrodite's girdle, among other things. Gamblers flocked to him because of his antics, despite the fact that they knew he was a risky character. In the Trojan War, he led the Achaeans, but he had sympathy for King Priam, who was on his way to reclaim his son's remains.
Folks have worshipped Hermes for good luck as he developed dice, as per Greek legend. Hermes has been termed crafty, a robber, and a fraud.
Macuilxochitl
Macuilxochitl is a little-known deity, and the first thing you'll notice about him is that his name means "Five Flower." This is a fairly calm naming in a society that has been linked to a number of frightening rituals.
As per legend, when the Mexicans came to the Valley of Mexico surrounding Lake Texcoco, they were thought to be the least cultured of all the groups. Despite this, the newcomers decided to take lessons from those who looked down on them. The myth of Mexico and the Aztecs was a mash-up of various cultures, as well as their own prior beliefs.
The Aztec god of music, dancing, blossoms, and gambling games is Macuilxochitl, which means "Five Flower." He is one of the Gods of Excess, and he is one of the Five Deities of Excess. He is highly regarded and popular in this religion due to his reputation as a spiteful and wicked deity.
Five Flower was a busy deity, according to what we know about him, and not just of wagering, but also of extravagance, art, and games. Despite the fact that mankind's fortunes altered, Macuilxochitl seemed to remain. The Teotihuacans were the first to worship him, but the civilisation fell apart, leaving behind a stunning and majestic legacy, including the Pyramid of the Moon.
The Aztecs rushed to steal their gods and claim a similar heritage with the Teotihuacans, not least by paying respect to Macuilxochitl, the deity of gaming, after seeing the Teotihuacans' development.
He had a personality, and he was prone to exacting retribution on those he despised for no apparent reason. His harshness, on the other hand, fit nicely in with the Aztec worldview, and the deity was praised for years.
Papa Legba
Papa Legba is also known as Legba is a supernatural(voodoo) deity who lies at a spiritual intersection on the road. He has the appearance of an older man who walks with a cane and wears a cap. He carries a guitar, a deck of cards, and a bottle of water with him at times.
If you want to negotiate a bargain, approach Papa Legba at the crossroads. As a trickster, he enjoys wagering, he is a huge fan of particularly card games gambling. He also enjoys tobacco presents offered by his devotees.
Papa Legba, according to mythology, grants or rejects permission to communicate with the spirits. He can also communicate in any human language. Legba is also the lord of communication, understanding, and speech.
Thoth - Egyptian God of Gambling
At its peak, Egypt was an incomparable nation in terms of cultural growth. Its power stretched the globe, and its wealth was the strongest in the world, but it began to crumble following a run-in with the Romans. The Ancient Egyptians, on the other hand, had their own god, Thoth, who was linked with, among other aspects, gaming and good luck.
Egyptian art is one of those magnificent epochs in history that is cloaked in mystery. The complexity of the Old Egyptian language has led to a plethora of anecdotal interpretations, but one thing is certain: gods in Egyptian lore played multiple roles, just as they do everywhere else.
Thoth, who is the Egyptian god of gambling is known to be the God of wisdom, writing, science, magic, art, and judgement, and has nearly the same powers as Hermes. According to legend, the year was only 360 days long, and Nut was sterile and unable to have children during this time. Thoth was the one who won a 5-day bet with the Moon (or 1/72nd of the Moon's light). So it's no surprise that the ancient Egyptians prayed to Thoth before placing wagers.
Thoth, a god linked with the moon, learning, writing, and serving as a guide to others, was also said to have some of the characteristics of a god of gambling. Thoth appears to have acquired this title not out of any particular interest, but out of a desire to assist others.
The Greeks were quick to see the similarities between Hermes and Thoth, complimenting the Egyptians for their devotion to the god. Unlike Hermes, however, Thoth was a much gentler god who had no interest in disturbing people's fortunes.
You have definitely heard of Thoth, one of Egypt's most prominent gods, whether or not you're familiar with Egyptian mythology. Thoth, is recognised as the Egyptian deity of the moon, knowledge, magic, and time, is the god of the moon, wisdom, magic, and time. His authority also extends to gambling.
Thoth is also said to have been produced by himself or to have been born from the seed of Horus that was sown on Set's brow.
You're bound to recognise Thoth even if you've never heard of him before. This Egyptian god is frequently depicted with a man's body and an ibis bird's head. He's also the god who came up with the idea of writing.
A few consider Thoth to be the Egyptian equivalent of Hermes, as the two have many parallels. In regard to claimed abilities, he is essentially identical to Hermes, the Greek God of Gambling. In fact, legend has it that Thoth gained 5 more days by playing with the Moon and winning a dice game. He did it in order to assist Nut, the sky goddess, in having children. As a result, we shouldn't be surprised if the ancient Egyptians prayed to Thoth before engaging in any gaming activity.
The truth is that, in the Temple of Thoth in Khemenu, also known as Hermopolis, both Thoth and Hermes were worshipped alongside! He doesn't have a mother or father, unlike Hermes, as he formed himself.
Laxmi - Hindu Goddess of Gambling
The Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, Lakshmi is the next one on our list, and it is her name that people use when they need a bit more wagering fortune. The five day celebration of lights Diwali or Deepavali is held in honour of this Hindu deity to commemorate the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. Numerous folks gather around this time to gamble and, of course, hoping for a lucky roll of the dice or a victorious hand. As a result, it's no surprise that devotees come to Lakshmi for any kind of good luck if they need it.
Lakshmi is a Hindu Goddess of Wealth and fortune who is also associated with Buddhism and Jainism.
Vishnu's most significant Hindu god, Lakshmi, is his eternal wife as well as his source of power. Devotees considered her as a sign of good fortune and wealth after she emerged from the turmoil of the primordial seas.
The Hindu goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of luck, money, and happiness. She is the god Vishnu's wife. Regardless of the fact that she possesses the capacity to bring luck and wealth, Lakshmi is opposed to materialism. As per legend, when the god of war Indra was bestowed with the task of protecting the Earth against demons, he was overjoyed since he knew the wicked would have no chance against his and Lakshmi's abilities.
Nevertheless, his pride turned to arrogance, and he even turned down a worshipper's gift. Lakshmi, unhappy with what had happened, took a step back, leaving Indra to battle on his own.
For the rest of the gods, her action resulted in over 1,000 years of terrible luck. The demons began to gain strength and eventually took over. Finally, Indra requested assistance and was guided to the bottom of the sea, where Lakshmi awaited him. He was informed that if he and the other gods churned the sea, she would rise to the surface and bring with her prosperity.
Laxmi bestows fortune and wealth, but she despises materialism
She can bestow good fortune and money, but she despises the greediness that these things might bring, and she is pleased to criticise those who deserve it. As Indra, the god of war, became too arrogant for her preference, she went into hiding at the bottom of the sea for a thousand years. She left him alone, fighting demons in a losing battle.
While Indra made amends, the gods lifted her from the sea to aid in the battle of the demon onslaught. This storey warns us that while Lakshmi will bless the worthy, the worthless and greedy will suffer a terrible fate.
According to tradition, it took a millennium of struggle for Lakshmi to be satisfied with Indra's hard work and dedication. She then ascended to the surface and supported the gods in their battle with the demons. The legends should teach us that Lakshmi only answers the pleas of those who are honest and truly in need of her help. Nowadays, Lakshmi is primarily commemorated on Diwali, the festival of lights. Several devotees gamble after the celebration, believing that Lakshmi had indeed bestowed good fortune on them.
Lakshmi, is the Hindu Goddess of purity and money. She is one of the most popular goddesses of Hindu mythology. She is, without a doubt, the most well-known divine on this list. Lakshmi is still revered today and is associated with Hinduism, but she is also revered in Jainism and Buddhism.
It's not awful to be adored for almost two thousand years by three distinct religions! She is the everlasting consort of Vishnu, possibly Hinduism's most prominent divinity, and the source of his power. She sprang from the primordial ocean's churning waters and has served as a symbol of good luck and wealth ever since.
Although, notwithstanding her power to provide luck to those who earn it, she is just as willing to ridicule those who deserve it. As Indra, the god of war, became too arrogant, she fled for a thousand years at the bottom of the sea, leaving him to fight the assaulting demons in a losing struggle. For a millennium, Indra had to make amends for his mistakes, but the gods eventually resurrected her from the sea to aid in the defeat of the invaders.
This is a warning narrative. While Lakshmi is quick to reward those who earn her favours, she is as quick to punish those who are undeserving. When she judges them to be excessively selfish, even the gods suffer!
Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of fortune and wagering, and it is to her that one prays for gambling or gaming luck - however worshipers often pray to Lakshmi for general good fortune.
Kamalakshi and Sri Devi are two other names for Lakshmi. Gambling and gaming are popular during the annual Diwali festival in honour of Lakshmi, and many people bet at the this time in the hopes of a lucky roll of the dice or a winning hand.In Indian society, the female figure plays an important role, thus it's only right that the Indian deity of wagering is a she! Unlike her Greek counterpart, Lakshmi loves to be compassionate rather than malicious.
Her fury, like that of any other celestial deity, can change suddenly, so you'll want to stay on her good side.
Lakshmi is a Hindu deity of good fortune who is revered in Hinduism. She holds control over the thoughts of mankind and gods as one of Vishnu's advisers. Her allure enticed demons and gods to fight for her favour time and time again.
On Diwali, the Festival of Lights, believers honour Lakshmi. Many of her devotees will take their chances at gambling following the event, believing that she will reward them for their devotion with good fortune.
If you're playing at an Indian online casino, maybe Lakshmi is the goddess you should pray to.
Gambling during laxmi puja
Gambling is regarded as a fortunate hobby in most sections of Ganjam during Laxmi Puja.
Despite the fact that the law prohibits this age-old activity, most individuals continue to play cards during the Puja season. Temporary wagering facilities can be found in all of the district's villages and semi-urban areas.
The game of cards is played by men and women of any age. The wagers range from one rupee to several lakhs of rupees. In other cases, assets are also put on the line.
The rite is also associated with several fascinating beliefs. The most common is a 'gambling money' offered by a father-in-law to his son-in-law so that he can gamble. Parents give their children money to play with their buddies. The most prominent card games among gamblers include ‘Kampi,' ‘Set,' ‘Nox,' ‘Sequence,' and ‘Pata.'
In Gosani Nuagaon, where a wagering carnival pops up on the streets during Laxmi Puja, kids may be seen trying their luck at games like ‘gudugudupali' and a few little casino games.
Nohoipili – The Gambling God of Navajo
Here, we'll focus on one specific divinity: Nohoilpi, the Navajo gambling god.
The Navajo God of Gambling, Nohoilpi, is also regarded as the greatest Gambler. There is no better god of luck than Nohoilpi, among all the gods of gambling we have discussed. He was praised for being born with the aim of teaching mankind about gambling games.
Nohoilpi, often known as "the Great Gambler," is the son of Tsohanoai, the sun god of the nation's mythology. When Nohoilpi first arrived on Earth, he taught humanity how to play games and presented them to a variety of gambling options.
He was, however, a bit of a rogue, and he defeated people, indebting them and demanding that they return their debt by establishing a city to pay tribute to him. According to legend, the other gods were jealous of Nohoilpi, so they granted a tribe member with remarkable foresight and sent him to face off Nohoilpi and chase him out.
The man succeeded in sending Nohoilpi back to the heavens, guided by other deities, but his legacy lives on throughout North America! Nohoilpi used to wear a turquoise talisman, so if you're looking for a godly fortunate charm, this is an excellent place to start.
The Navajo God of Gambling, Nohoipili, is also considered as one of the ultimate Gambler. Nohoipili came to Earth, according to tradition, to teach numerous tribes how to play his gambling games.
However, he quickly exceeded them in all of their games, winning all of their properties, wives, children, and even some of the men themselves.
He pledged to send them everything back if they built him a large home after he had acquired most of the tribes' goods and enslaved many of them. When the Navajos arrived, the tribes were hard at work constructing Kintyel in order to gain independence. Despite their losses, though, the tribes continued to wager with Nohoipili. The Navajos even noticed how individuals travelled from nearby communities just to gamble with him.
Nohoilpi, who was constantly veiled in legend, loved to play games and was quite adept at them, as evidenced by the fact that he always won.
Every gambler likes to have a lucky charm, therefore he donned a large turquoise talisman. He had gone around challenging folks to games he was confident he would win.
Nohoilpi had grown confident after a while, used to win bet after bet and receive whatever he wanted in the process. He had won houses and even the families who lived in them by this time. He enslaved these peasants and used them to construct a metropolis in their honour.
However, the assault did not go unnoticed. Other Navajo deities were aware of his terrible activities and devised a strategy to teach him a lesson. During a night of mystical singing and dancing, the gods bestowed special gambling abilities on an ordinary man in order for him to defeat Nohoilpi and release all people who had been enslaved. With their assistance, the guy triumphed, depriving Nohoilpi of everything he possessed.
The folks were set free, and Nohoilpi was banished to the skies. Even the finest gambler may learn from this cautionary tale: greed has repercussions, and no one, not even a god of gaming, is indestructible!
Tyche – The Goddess of Fortune and Destiny
Aphrodite and Zeus, or Aphrodite and Hermes, had a daughter named Tyche. She has powerful parents in both circumstances. She was the tutelary goddess (a spirit that protects and patronises a certain thing) of a city's luck and prosperity. Tyche was highly regarded and admired, particularly throughout the Hellenistic period.
Tyche was the tutelary divinity who ruled wealth and fortune, and was especially revered and worshipped during the Hellenistic period. She was so beloved that Greek cities created their own Tychai, or iconic versions of the original Tyche. This ritual was followed in Roman art iconography and even survived into the Christian era, occurring frequently in the empire's most important cities.
Polybius, on the other side, didn't think she was very good. He claimed that the cause of all unexplained calamities, including fires, floods, frosts, and even high aristocratic and political drama, was Tyche.
Tyche, the Greek equivalent of Fortuna, is a goddess who bestows good and bad fortune on mankind. She was described as the daughter of Oceanus and Tethys by Hesoid, a Greek poet, although other writers claim that Zeus, the highest Greek God, is her father.
She is typically portrayed with a winged crown, sceptre, and cornucopia. Tyche has been known to appear blindfolded with various equipment that implies risk and uncertainty.
Tyche has a calming effect on the situation. Agathos Daimon, a beneficent spirit who protects individuals and families, is also linked to the goddess, as is Nemesis, who punishes males who are too rich. One of her historic sites is a temple in Argos devoted to Diana, which houses the original set of dice made by Palamedes.
Gefion – The Norse Goddess of Prosperity
Then there's Gefion, the Norse goddess of unmarried women. Gefion is a goddess associated with the Danish island of Zealand, the legendary Swedish king Gylphi, and the popular Danish king Skjöldr, as well as investing, intelligence, and virginity, according to Norse mythology. Gefion was the fourth goddess of the Æsir, after Frigg, Sága, and Eir, according to the Poetic Edda.
Geifon or Gefjon is a mythological goddess of gambling whose identity and impact on mythology are unknown. Little is documented regarding her, despite the fact that she occurs in Beowulf and a few other manuscripts. Geifon was a goddess of good fortune, fertility, and ploughing, but she was also thought to be a virgin.
In traditional Scandinavian mythology, there is a goddess who is the patroness of virgins and who bestows good fortune and a promising future. She is also credited for the creation of Sweden's Great Lakes. According to mythology, she built a land, called Zealand, for all the virginal girls who died.
Though she smiles graciously at chancers, she is not someone to cross. One text in the Poetic Edda says that Loki, the god of mischief, made a mistake by provoking Gefjon's fury, who "sees the fortunes of all, even Odin himself."
Her four oxen boys dug the dirt in central Sweden to assist their matriarch in her new creation. In Copenhagen, there is also a large fountain depicting this sight. A further legend holds that all Swedish kings are descended from Gefion because of her power over luck, prosperity, and wealth.
Kangiten - The Japanese God of Gambling
Gambling is a popular pastime in Japan, and it is seen as a respectable method to raise one's social position. Kangiten, the gambling god, is consulted by everyone who want to succeed in the field. Japan is a polytheistic country that worships numerous gods, one of which is Kangiten.
Kangiten is the Japanese equivalent of Shri Ganesha, the Hindu elephant-headed deity.
Kangiten had tremendous strength, as befitting a celestial deity. More than anything else, he was a guardian, and anyone who took a chance on life, such as actors, geishas, and, of course, gamblers, worshipped him.
In a sense, he was a god to someone involved in the "business of pleasure," as one source describes it. Kangiten, like the other gods of gambling, had a tumultuous personality in Japanese mythology, and he was impatient and prone to outbursts.
Kangiten isn't well-known for his encouragement of the arts, despite the fact that 243 shrines have been established in his honour. The most important temple was constructed atop Mount Ikoma, which was relatively unknown until the seventeenth century. The demigod is linked to wisdom and knowledge, and is considered to be the one who listens to the pleas of sentient beings. With the help of Binayaka, he is also said to have the ability to create or erase impediments. Kangiten bestows prosperity, health, and success upon those who satisfy him.
Final Thoughts - Which God will you pray to?
Take a moment to appreciate the rich history of these cultures while you're in a casino with magnificent Greek, Hindu, or Egyptian-themed slot machines, or when you're playing online games with these themes. It's extremely interesting to consider how gambling's gods continue to affect current gamblers.
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Perhaps you might make a silent prayer to one of these powerful gods in the hopes of winning the next lottery? Let's hope the gambling gods bestow their blessings on you for your next gaming session.