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

https://spark-wiki.win/index.php/What_Is_a_Gambling_Time-Out_and_When_Should_You_Use_It%3F

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