Festivals have long included games of chance, from dice at Saturnalia to teen...

https://www.4shared.com/office/jkP4aDxIge/pdf-21642-27049.html

Festivals have long included games of chance, from dice at Saturnalia to teen patti during Diwali and mahjong at Lunar New Year. Setting a clear end date using calendars helped keep gambling part of the celebration, not a year-round problem