Board game:The Long Green: A Big Money Game of Chance

Horse racing has a long history in the United States, dating back to the 17th century. By 1890 over 300 race tracks operated in the country. The anti-gambling sentiment prevalent at the turn of the 20th century, however, led most states to ban bookmaking, nearly eliminating horse racing entirely. However, in 1908, the racing industry introduced pari-mutuel betting, a type of gambling that placed all bets in a single pool, removed taxes, and then split the pool amongst all winning bets. The pari-mutuel system, often state-regulated, became an acceptable and legal alternative to other forms of gambling, and horse racing flourished until World War II. The toy and game industry tapped into the popularity of the sport, introducing many toys and games with a horse racing theme, such as Milton Bradley's 1936 game The Long Green.