The Evolution of Game Regulation in Russia: From Clubs to Revolution

The regulation of commercial and gambling games in Russia has a rich history, marked by significant events and decrees. On March 31, 1837, the elders of the English Club in Moscow banned the game 'devyatka' because it was considered to have elements of gambling. This decision highlighted the ongoing debate about what constituted a commercial game versus a gambling game.

In the late 19th century, card games were not only a pastime but also a subject of intense discussion and regulation. The rules of these games were well-known among Moscow's elite, and the laws distinguishing commercial games from gambling games were particularly well-understood. The Moscow English Club was a hub for such discussions and disputes. For instance, on April 28, 1880, the dean of the Moscow English Club, A.S. Musin-Pushkin, clarified that in the game of piquet, the dealer could take two cards from the deck of three and leave one.

The early 20th century saw significant changes in the regulation of games. In 1910, all club owners and managers in Moscow and St. Petersburg were required to sign a pledge that no gambling games would be conducted in their establishments, only commercial games. This decree was a major blow to gambling games, which were increasingly seen as detrimental to society.