Gambling Clubs and Excitement in St. Petersburg during the First Russian Revolution

Abstract

The article deals with such a phenomenon as a passion for playing cards in St. Petersburg during the years of the First Russian Revolution. From the end of 1904 — the beginning of 1905, many metropolitan clubs began to turn into illegal “gambling houses”, where gambling cards flourished. What happened was associated with the revolutionary movement in the country and even referred to as government measures aimed at distracting the society from political rallies and meetings. By 1907, there had been about 65 entrepreneurial and 18 stateowned clubs in the capital, where cards were played. The police sought to keep control of gambling establishments, their organizers, bankers, players and cardsharps. From time to time, clubs were checked, and gambling was prohibited. In January 1907, the Petersburg mayor V. F. von der Launitz banned the game écarté. In March 1907, 12 largest gambling establishments of the capital were closed by order of the new St. Petersburg Mayor D. V. Drachevsky. Orders for the closure of clubs were published during the whole of 1907 and 1908. These measures were called “fight with clubs”. However, despite government measures and police bans, gambling and gambling houses in St. Petersburg continued to exist in subsequent years. Nevertheless, the authorities managed to significantly reduce the number of gambling clubs and overcome the “gambling orgy” that prevailed in 1905–1906. At the same time, there is no reason to assert that the government during the First Russian Revolution sought to divert the average man from politics with the help of gambling. All gambling clubs were opened by the founders solely for the purpose of profit.