Before indulging in excessive drinking on St. Patrick’s Day with whiskey and Kermit-green beer, remember this warning: relying on the “luck of the Irish” when placing your March Madness bets with an Illinois sportsbook is not a wise decision.
Considering Chicago’s deep Irish roots and the yearly tradition of dyeing the Chicago River green, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the luck and resilience of the Irish people throughout history before enjoying your next drink. Sláinte!
Some of the key sections in the Big Book of Irish luck are:
- Approximately 800 years of British oppression, more or less.
- The mid-1800s potato famine resulted in the loss of approximately one million lives in Ireland, out of a total population of 8.4 million.
- Irish immigrants were met with scorn, or even worse, upon arriving on the shores of America after escaping the famine on overcrowded coffin ships.
You may believe that the trustworthy creators of Lucky Charms would always have your best interests at heart. However, it appears that things aren’t as simple as they seem when it comes to being green. In fact, luck doesn’t seem to be on your side.
Luck is a terrible concept on which to base betting
Certainly, relying on luck as the foundation for a calculated and sensible gambling approach is not recommended.
Responsible gambling experts caution against believing harmful myths such as:
- Those who perceive themselves as fortunate are more likely to have good luck when gambling.
- Good luck charms have the potential to impact the outcome of gambling activities.
- The outcome of each bet is completely independent of the previous one, so continuing to gamble will not increase your chances of winning.
- “I am optimistic that luck is on my side today.” Believing in luck or wishing for a win does not affect the results of a game of chance.
And please don’t believe the myth that the Irish are particularly lucky on St. Patrick’s Day. That’s pure nonsense, especially considering that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
The origin of “the luck of the Irish”
History tells us that the phrase “luck of the Irish” was originally used as a derogatory term towards Irish immigrants who traveled to the American West in the 19th century in search of gold.
The phrase was employed to ridicule Irish individuals believed to be intellectually deficient, suggesting that the only way they could find success was by sheer chance.
You can practically imagine those troublemakers now, making fun of the Irish with the exaggerated accents you hear in Darby O’Gill and the Little People. (Fun fact: despite its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, don’t be fooled by this 1959 Disney film starring Sean Connery).
However, let’s return to the Irish prospectors of the 19th century.
The cheerful Gaelic rogues effortlessly reclaimed the mocking stereotype of the “luck of the Irish” and proudly embraced it, further perpetuating the misconception that the Irish are inherently fortunate.
As a result, a variety of Irish symbols have been perceived as lucky by people to this day, including:
- Four-leaf clovers.
- Shamrocks.
- Horseshoes are turned upwards to “attract” good luck.
- Rainbows are rumored to lead to a pot of gold if you follow them to the end.
- Massaging the scalp of a person with red hair (not so fortunate for the redhead).
- It is said that if you catch Connor McGregor, he will grant you three wishes and show you the way to his treasure (and we’re not referring to his awful Irish whiskey).
Please note that none of these actions will increase your luck in gambling, and provoking McGregor is particularly dangerous. Need proof? Just look at the fact that incorporating these symbols, such as sporting gold helmets, has not resulted in Notre Dame winning a major game in approximately three decades.
Irish’s long proclivity for gambling, particularly horse racing
Gambling has a long history in Ireland, dating back long before the Fighting Irish of Indiana adopted a culturally insensitive Leprechaun mascot.
Like many cultures, the real Irish have been engaging in gambling since the earliest days of human history.
Gambling artifacts such as dice and glass beads have been discovered in ancient Irish gravesites that pre-date both Christianity and the arrival of the Romans.
However, it was their profound love for horses that truly ignited the Irish’s passion for gambling.
Gambling in Ireland was first documented during the reign of High King Conaire Mór from 110 BC to 60 AD. During this time, people placed bets on chariot races that took place at Curragh. Fast forward to today, Curragh is now known for its Irish horse breeding and is the location of the Irish National Stud, a prestigious thoroughbred horse breeding facility owned by the Irish government.
Two significant events occurred when English commander Oliver Cromwell conquered Ireland in the 17th century.
- Cromwell’s actions left a lasting mark on the Irish people, as evidenced by The Pogues’ song “Young Ned of The Hill,” which vividly condemns Cromwell for sending the Irish to the Caribbean as slaves. The lyrics express a deep-seated anger towards Cromwell for his cruel treatment of the Irish, with wishes for his eternal damnation for the atrocities he committed.
- The enforcement of English rule played a significant role in organizing horse racing and gambling in Ireland. However, the increased availability of betting on horse races is not worth the harsh consequences of enslavement and being sold abroad.
However, as of 1751, there were 409 individual horse racing venues in Ireland where betting was permitted. Horse racing has continued to be a significant passion for the Irish people ever since.
Irish Sweepstakes swept the world
Lotteries are thought to have originated during the Chinese Han Dynasty between 205 and 187 BC, so the concept was not created by the Irish. However, the Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstakes is widely regarded as one of the most renowned lotteries in history.
Established in 1930, the Irish Sweepstakes was created to raise funds for hospitals in Ireland. It gained global popularity, particularly in the United States where the most tickets were sold. The winning ticket stubs were sent back to Ireland to be drawn from a barrel and paired with a horse running in a significant race in Ireland or Britain. The biggest prizes were awarded to ticket holders whose horse placed in the race.
Counterfeit tickets were widespread, but only a small portion of the proceeds went to Irish hospitals and charities. The organizers of the scheme in the 1980s reaped the majority of the profits, amassing great wealth and gaining significant political power.
Lucky devils.
