Throughout recorded human history, and in every corner of the world, gambling has existed in some form or another. It seems that gaming and wagering is as much a part of our collective cultural heritage as music, folklore, or visual arts.

But while gambling has been around as long as humanity, there have been dramatic shifts in how and why we gamble, and in the societal attitudes towards these activities. Even within living memory, there have been profound changes in how gambling is regulated and carried out, and also in how it is presented and perceived.

Gambling has gone from being widely banned to almost universally accepted within less than a century. Today many people think nothing of searching for online casino sign up bonuses, while the parents of those same people may well have viewed gambling as immoral. How is it that gambling culture has changed so much in such a relatively short time?

A troubled past

For centuries, lawmakers have grappled with how to legislate gambling activities. One the one hand, betting and gaming has long been seen as a vice, a sinful pastime condemned by religious leaders. On the other hand, there is money to be made, and state-run lotteries have long been used as a way to fill government coffers. Gambling taxation is mentioned in historical texts that go back as far as the 4th century BC.

Around the middle of the 20th century, there were some more concerted efforts to formalize gambling laws in both the US and the UK. In the US, it was Nevada that first used gambling as a form of economic relief after the Great Depression, leading to the foundation of Las Vegas as the world’s most famous gambling destination. However, within a few years the city had become synonymous with organized crime, and the association of gambling with vice became even more firmly entrenched.

In the UK, sports wagering was always the most popular form of gambling, especially horse and greyhound racing. In 1960 a bill was passed legalizing many forms of gambling and allowing licensed betting shops to open for business. Since then, high street bookmakers have been a staple of UK towns and cities across the country.

Changing attitudes

Towards the end of the 20th century, cultural attitudes to gambling remained divided, and often inconsistent. Movies like the James Bond franchise popularized an image of casinos as a suave, elegant, and sophisticated destination. For the rich, at least, a casino was synonymous with glamor.

That image was at odds with the more widespread reality. While many European casinos did embody old-world elegance, for the most part gambling venues were far from glamorous. Bingo halls, racetracks, and betting shops were not for the glitterati. In the US, casinos were often dingy halls filled with slot machines, or garish and brightly lit.

The mob still had a grip on Vegas until the mid 1980s, when the long campaign by the federal authorities finally turned the tide on Mafia involvement with casino gambling. This could be seen as the starting point for a softening in attitudes towards gambling. As the Mafia associations weakened and fell away, what had once been edgy, possibly attractive but certainly licentious, started to become more benign in the collective consciousness.

Modern game-changer

Around the world, and in the US and UK in particular, existing gambling legislation remained more or less fit for purpose until the turn of the century. The late 1990s saw the emergence and the rapid ascendance of online casinos, leading to the next big shift in attitudes towards gambling. While all forms of gambling had slowly become more socially acceptable in the preceding decade, this innovation would prove to be a game-changer.

Where once gambling had been limited by location or social status, online casinos made it accessible to all. Gambling became democratized, an effect that only grew as internet access increased. Early regulators and licensing bodies were non-government, like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, or based in dubious territories.

It wasn’t long before the governments of the world realized that they needed to get some control of the situation. Around the world there have been varying approaches to regulating online gambling, but overall the change has been in the same direction. Cultural opinions about gambling have become far more liberal than at any time in the last century.

The UK in particular leaned into the promotion of gambling culture, passing the 2005 Gambling Act and updating it in 2014. Tax revenue from betting and gambling amounts to around 3 billion British pounds per year. Advertising at sporting events, and on post-watershed television, is dominated by gambling companies from sports betting to bingo.

Where now?

For the time being, it seems that gambling has become almost universally accepted as a form of entertainment, and a taxable source of income for governments worldwide. While some countries have for now decided to forgo formal regulation, the majority of jurisdictions have accepted that internet gambling is here to stay.

Despite some concerns over aspects of online casinos and gambling in general – money laundering, problem gambling, improper practices – the widespread attitudes tend towards acceptance. Already a multi-billion dollar market, the pandemic years saw an even greater number of people turn to online gambling as a leisure activity.

Accurate statistics are hard to come by, but some studies suggest that around a quarter of the global population gamble regularly. This is most certainly a lot more than it was a couple of decades ago. In the US and Canada, individual states and provinces continue to liberalize laws on sports betting and internet gambling. In Europe, each passing year sees more countries establishing their own gambling licensing and regulatory bodies.

There will always be those who view gambling as a vice to be avoided, but the cultural shift has resulted in that being a minority opinion. In 2020, a Gallup poll found that a record percentage of Americans – 71% – viewed gambling as a morally acceptable activity. Not so long ago, such a statistic would have been inconceivable.

Let’s be honest, a man who plays the guitar and sings in a band is sexy. Even if they’re not especially attractive, there’s something about a man who stands out from the crowd and makes his own mark on the world. But, why is it that men who create are sexier than those who don’t? What is it that keeps sucking us in, perhaps sometimes against our best interest? In this article, we’ll delve a little deeper and see if we can figure it out.

Extraordinary

There’s nothing more boring than a man who follows all of the rules. Sure, you don’t want to date a sociopath who mistreats everyone, but it’s nice to be with someone who is a little extraordinary. That’s the great thing about artists: they’re different. Sometimes in ways that are charming, other’s not so much. The trick is to find the right balance of extraordinary Vs. just plain weird and hope for the best.

In-touch with their emotions

Men who are creative tend to be far more in-tune with their feelings. This is an essentiality if you want to build a relationship with someone. There’s nothing worse than dating a guy who bottles it all up and doesn’t understand how to express himself properly. Men who create art on the other hand are far more adept at expressing themselves, often in the most beautiful of ways.

Open minded

Men have a tendency to be quite stubborn and set in their ways which can be a real turn-off. For those who are more artistic however, they tend to have an open mind and are willing to try new things. When someone is open to new experiences, you can rest assured that they will not only evolve with you, but keep things interesting. For example: an artist is much more likely to own men’s sex toys and thus be open to exploring your kinks as opposed to a man who thinks something along the lines of “art is for women”.

Talented

Artists are gifted and there’s nothing quite as sexy as a man with talent. This can come in a wide variety of different mediums: from someone who can cook, paint pictures, write you poetry, or even build a new extension on your house. There are many ways in which a man can be creative but those who are more artistic tend to have the most talent.

Mysterious

Perhaps it’s the mysterious nature of artistic men that makes them so darn sexy. It’s nice to have a man with layers. A man who has emotional intellect and is a little trickier to figure out. On the surface, most men are incredibly easy to understand, however, men who create art tend to have another a layer or two which can be fun to unearth and explore.

Passion

Above all else, men who create art are passionate. Watching a man dedicate himself to something and get lost in his hobbies is a wonderful thing indeed. And when a man brings passion to his life there’s a good chance that he will bring an equal amount of passion to his love life as well

The realities of interrupted supply lines, bare store shelves, and material shortages during the 2020 pandemic have resulted in many people considering their emergency preparedness. Millions of people across the globe were caught with not enough food, medications, or water to survive. This realization has prompted many people to think about how they can prepare for the next global crisis.

While most preppers will tell you that it is crucial to stockpile food and water, there is also a need for medication and supplement supplies. In the event of an emergency, you may not have access to a rounded diet which can lead to malnutrition. Your body requires certain vitamins and minerals to survive. When you can’t get what you need from your diet, having the right supplements on hand can help to support your body.

When it comes to being able to get medications in an emergency, many people may be in trouble. Pharmacy supplies are likely to be looted or have diminished supplies during an emergency. It’s best to stockpile your prescription medications and have the right replacement medications on hand. There are many natural alternatives to modern medications that can be useful in an emergency. For example, opioid pain medications can be replaced with CBD products from Joy Organics. Let’s take a closer look at a few supplements that you should be stockpiling in your emergency kit.

Iron

Iron deficiencies are common across the world. Without enough iron in your diet, you can experience fatigue, muscle weakness, and anemia. Iron is commonly found in meats and vegetables which may not be available during a crisis. A daily iron supplement can help you to maintain your energy levels which can be critical in an emergency.

Zinc

The 2020 pandemic showed us how important it is to maintain a strong immune system. During a crisis, the added stress on your body can affect your immune system’s ability to keep you safe from infection. To help keep your immune system strong, you need to have zinc in your diet. A zinc supplement can help to boost your immune system. For children, a zinc supplement can help regulate healthy growth and development.

Vitamin A

Normally found in dairy products and certain vegetables, vitamin A is crucial to your eye and reproductive health. In the event of a global disaster, you don’t want to experience problems with your vision or your ability to have a healthy child. Vitamin A supplements can help you to boost your immune system to help fight off issues with your eyes and your reproductive power.

Thiamine

Thiamine or vitamin B1 is crucial to the process of turning food into energy. Specifically, Thiamine assists in the process of turning carbohydrates into energy, helping you to maintain your body and fight off fatigue from an abnormal diet. Without enough Thiamine, you can experience extreme fatigue, weight loss, short-term memory problems, and mental confusion.

Folate (B9)

Folate or folic acid is a crucial vitamin for red blood cell generation and DNA production. Most of us get enough folate in our normal diets, but in the event of a crisis where your food supply is interrupted, you may not be getting the Folate that you need.

Vitamin B-12

Many people suffer from a deficiency of vitamin B-12. Serious conditions like pernicious anemia can result in extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. When vitamin B-12 deficiency causes are left untreated, you may have difficulty walking due to muscle weakness. In a crisis situation, you will need to be in the best shape possible.

Vitamin D

Most of us get our recommended dosage of vitamin D from sunshine. However, if you are hunkered down in a crisis, you may not be able to get as much vitamin D as you need. vitamin D is especially important for children and seniors, as it encourages strong bone growth and regulates calcium absorption.

Calcium

In an emergency situation like a breakdown of the grid, you will be hard-pressed to find any dairy that hasn’t gone bad without refrigeration. Dairy products are where we get most of the calcium that helps to keep our bones strong. Having a calcium supplement in your emergency kit can help you replace dairy products. Calcium is an important supplement for children as it encourages strong bone development.

Multivitamins

A good quality multivitamin will be worth its weight in gold during an emergency. If you only have room for one type of supplement in your emergency kit, you should make it a multivitamin. Your daily multivitamin will help to keep your body fueled with the minimum nutrients and help prevent deficiencies. Ensure that you have multivitamins that are structured for each member of your family. Include multivitamins that are for women, seniors, men, and children.

Common Medication Substitutes

Many people rely on prescription and over-the-counter medications. In the event of an emergency situation, you may not have access to the medications that you need. The good news is, there are many natural alternatives to modern medications that can be used as a substitute. Let’s take a look at a comprehensive list of common medications and their natural substitutes.

Blood Thinners

Millions of seniors take blood thinners to help regulate their blood pressure and reduce the possibility of a stroke or heart attack. Patients simply take a low-dose aspirin daily as an effective blood thinner in many cases. Aspirin may not be available in an emergency along with prescription medications for blood thinning. If you require a blood thinner to maintain your health, try one of these substitutions:

Natural Vitamin E

• Must be natural, not synthetic
• 100 IU’s of vitamin E can be as effective as a daily aspirin

Ginkgo Biloba

• Used to reduce clotting and encourage proper circulation

Water

• Increase your water intake to an average of eight glasses daily to help thin your blood

Painkillers and Anti Inflammatories

In the event of an emergency, there is a much higher risk of injury and illness. Prescription medications including opioids will not likely be available for patients. Managing pain during a crisis can be essential. Try these natural supplements that can help reduce pain and inflammation:

CBD Products

• Cannabis oil has been proven to be a strong anti-inflammatory agent and can help reduce chronic pain.

            Devil’s Claw

• Powerful anti-inflammatory for your joints
• Successfully relieves the pain of arthritis, joint and muscle pain

Turmeric

• Good for pain and inflammation

Ginger

• Eating raw ginger or drinking tea can help with pain and inflammation.

Statins

Statins are medications like Lipitor that are commonly used to lower bad cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke or heart attack. If you are on a statin medication, you are going to find it difficult to get your prescription in an emergency. While your diet may improve with the lack of foods available with high-fat content, you will still need to replace your statin medication with a substitute. Here are a few natural alternatives to prescription statins:

• Garlic
• Red wine
• Dark chocolate
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil

Blood Pressure

For many people, daily blood pressure medication means the difference between life and death. If you are unable to get your prescription medications to control your blood pressure, you will need to find a natural alternative. While high blood pressure can be genetic, it is more often a condition that is caused by an unhealthy diet. Most of the problems can be taken care of with a change in diet. If food availability is an issue in an emergency situation, you can try these alternatives to help you control your blood pressure:

• Bananas
• Coenzyme Q-10
• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Hawthorne
• Reduced Salt intake

Weight Control

Another common health issue that you can easily improve upon and treat with the right supplements is being overweight. While the best course of action here is always to exercise more and eat healthier, there are times when you might find that you need to supplement those activities with the right medication, which is something that a lot of people have to do in that position. Knowing that it is possible to do so is a great feeling to have. For individuals experiencing swallowing difficulties, incorporating a medical diet for dysphagia can be essential for managing weight and enhancing overall health.

Any weight loss program can be improved with the right meds in place, and you should therefore consider whether you want to stock these kinds of supplements along with the other types listed here. It might be that they prove to be especially important for you at some point or another, and it could help to generally boost your health as a result.

Antacids

Chronic heartburn or acid reflux are conditions that plague millions of people worldwide. While antacids can help control the influx of stomach acid and upset, there are natural alternatives that can help calm your stomach. If left untreated, indigestion can cause serious problems like bleeding ulcers. Try these natural alternatives for antacids:

• Almonds – naturally reduce stomach acid
• Aloe vera juice can help to heal ulcers
• Apples
• Bananas
• Buttermilk
• Cinnamon
• Chamomile
• Ginger
• Peppermint

Type 2 Diabetes

There is currently no approved alternative treatment for type 2 diabetes. However, there are many natural foods and vitamins that can help control the body’s glucose levels. In a SHTF situation, there may be few alternatives to proper diabetes treatment available, and having some of these alternatives on hand may be helpful:

• North American ginseng can help to control blood sugar levels
• Chromium is a trace mineral that helps in the processing of fats and carbohydrates in the system. Chromium also helps to improve cell reaction to insulin.
• Magnesium can help control blood sugar regulation
• Cinnamon may improve blood sucrose control

When you are suddenly separated from your normal supplies of medications due to an emergency situation, you will be happy that you are prepared. These essential supplements and medication alternatives can not only help keep you nourished, but will also keep you alive. Make sure that you start to stockpile these supplements and natural remedies in your emergency stocks to help you manage any emergency situation.

When it comes to planning your perfect wedding, there are so many different elements to bring together in order to make your dreams come true on the day. We have to think about the food, the venue, the weather, guests and a whole lot more… and one of the biggest things to consider is the entertainment. 

Trying to choose the ideal entertainment for any wedding is hard, and this can be made even more difficult if you have a theme. Today we are taking a look at music specifically and how you can choose this to fit in with your day.

Decide on genre

When choosing the music for your wedding it is first important to consider the types of tunes you want to listen to. Everyone has unique music tastes, and whether you like pop music made by people like Freddy Wexler or you prefer obscure Indie bands – this will make an impact on the atmosphere of your dancefloor on the day. Consider sticking to a genre and this will make it easier for you to find a band or a DJ who will be able to provide songs you both live as a couple. 

Live or recorded? 

The first major question you will want to ask yourself before you choose the music for your big day is whether you will have live music or music on a disc. This will determine whether you look to hire a band or whether instead you decide to hire a DJ who will play classic hits. This is all down to personal taste and it depends on the kind of day you want for yourself and your guests. 

Do you have a theme?

If you have a theme for your wedding day, choosing music will be a little more tricky because you will want to ensure that all of the music you choose fits in with your day. For example if you were to have a Harry Potter style wedding with a great hall filled with floating candles; you would want to use music from the films and music which has a connection to magic such as Genie in A Bottle and so forth. Or perhaps your theme brings in classic 70s and 80s decor, and in this regard choosing your music will be pretty easy and this will be a crowd pleaser for most of your guests as well. 

Budget 

One of the biggest things you have to consider if you want to hire music for your wedding is the budget you have. If you have a lot of money to spare then you can choose a band or a DJ with not issues at all. However if you are on a tight budget you might even want to bring a laptop and some speakers from home and use these to power up your music for the night ahead. It might be a little bit less magical, but at least you have full control over what songs to play! 

Space 

The type of music you choose to have in your venue will also depend on how much space there is inside the room. If there is no space at all then this can be hard for you if you want to have a band playing, but a DJ or laptop can be great for a smaller space. Consider the ambience of your venue and also think about your guests and whether you have older folk who are hard of hearing, or people who have sensitivity to sound. Although it is your wedding day, making sure that everyone is as comfortable as they can be is a great idea and will ensure people are happy and have the best possible time. 

Style 

Rock, pop, classic… There are so many different styles of music you can choose for your wedding day and it will be a case of you going through to check which styles will be the best fit for your special day. You will also want to think about everyone else coming to the wedding and make sure that the music you choose will fit in with them and help them to enjoy themselves. 

Choosing the perfect type of music for you wedding day can indeed be a challenge, and we hope that our list of tips and tricks will help you to narrow down your options and make the best decision for yourselves and for your guests this year. Enjoy your wedding and have a wonderful time together in 2022.