Dostoevsky – The Most Famous Gambler Before Gambling Was Even a Trend

When I think about Russia in the 1800s, I picture a time of deep sadness. In general, our Latin-rooted culture often paints this vast territory as a land cloaked in a harsh and persistent unhappiness. So it’s no surprise that one of the greatest writers of all time was also one of the most notorious gamblers ever to walk the earth.

In the mid-1840s, long before he ever stepped foot in a casino, Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote his first novel, Poor Folk, which earned him entry into the literary circles of St. Petersburg. In 1849, he was arrested for his involvement in the "Petrashevsky Circle," a group that discussed banned books and voiced criticism of the Tsarist regime. He narrowly escaped a death sentence.

After spending four years in a Siberian prison camp and another six years in military exile, Dostoevsky returned to society, turned to journalism, and began carving out his legacy as one of Russia’s most respected authors. During his travels across Western Europe, he encountered casinos for the first time and developed a taste for gambling.

If you start digging into Dostoevsky’s life, it won’t take long before you come across stories about his gambling addiction and the large sums he lost—many of which are probably true. What’s undeniable, however, is that gambling played a significant role in both his personal life and his creative work, deeply influencing his exploration of human psychology and existential themes.

Ideas around chance, fate, and moral ambiguity also permeate novels like Crime and Punishment and The Idiot, reflecting Dostoevsky’s profound contemplation of human nature under uncertainty and risk.

Although there are no officially sanctioned film adaptations of The Gambler by Dostoevsky’s heirs, several unofficial versions exist. One notable example is the 1974 film The Gambler, directed by Karel Reisz and starring James Caan, which reimagines the novel in a modern American setting.

Speaking of original texts, let’s pause the interpretations and read an actual letter written by Dostoevsky:

"During those four days, Varvara Dmitriyevna, I closely observed the gamblers. There were a few hundred placing bets, and I give you my word, no more than two knew how to play. They all lost their shirts because they didn’t understand the game. But there was a Frenchwoman and an English lord—those two knew what they were doing and didn’t lose; in fact, they nearly broke the bank. Please don’t think I’m bragging, just because I happened not to lose. I really do know the secret—it’s incredibly stupid and simple. You just need to stay completely under control and never get excited, no matter how the game changes. That’s it. If you do that, you simply can’t lose, and you’re sure to win."

But I wasn't satisfied just reading this letter, penned in a moment we can’t even precisely place in time. I wanted to imagine what Dostoevsky might say today—seeing people enter online casinos with no deposit bonuses, betting on every football match imaginable, and navigating the endless online gambling landscape. So, I asked Mr. ChatGPT to draft a modern-day letter from the master himself. Here’s what we came up with:

"My dearest Maria Dmitriyevna,

Awakened from the depths of time into this dazzling modern age, where gambling flourishes like never before, I feel compelled to rejoin the struggle. Let us rediscover the thrill of the cards, the spinning of the roulette wheel, and the dance of the sports bet. In these moments, let us rekindle the flame of passion, finding both solace and excitement in life’s unpredictability. Together, let us embrace this timeless pursuit with renewed fervor—for within every wager lies the seed of a story yet untold.

With respect,
Fyodor Dostoevsky
feat. ChatGPT