Los juegos de azar en los reales mineros novohispanos y el papel de las autoridades civiles : el caso de Zimapán a finales del siglo XVIII

Abstract

In mining societies, despite prohibitions, gambling had a great acceptance among its inhabitants. Civilian authorities responsible for the application of laws, who helped to avoid excesses in these amusements, often allowed illegal games. From crime files against the subdelegados of Zimapán, this article analyzes the role that authorities played in the proliferation of gambling. This article shows collusion of royal officials, motivated by self-interests ; and, at the same time, analyzes conflicts among different members of local institutions.

Keywords

• 18th century
• mining societies
• games of chance
• subdelegados
• Zimapán