Although financial markets often try to distance themselves from gambling, the two factors have far more in common than usually thought. When, historically there were no financial institutions such as banks, lotteries constituted the ways by which expensive items were disposed of, and governments raised money quickly. Gambling tables fulfilled roles that venture capital and banking do today. Gamblers created clearinghouses and sustained liquidity. When those gamblers bet on price distributions in futures markets, they were redefined as speculators. Today they are called hedge fund managers or...