^^ Regardless where gambling originated, China or India or ancient Middle East, gambling has been ingrained with humanity since the dawn of man. Perhaps our ancestors really found out a clever way to dice, whether to used it for entertainment or other purposes. And this is how we involved, and this is also the same reason why it's hard to get rid of gambling because it's already on our DNA as per our ancestors.
Indian culture is very rich in gambling and so does Chinese, but likewise there are two group in India - one who gamble and the other who do not.
Those who gamble also are forbidden in their culture. So even if the people gamble but they have this guilt feeling at the back of their mind. That they might loose their hard earned money.
Indian culture is very rich in gambling? I have never really heard of Indian gambling being a huge thing. Chinese gambling, yes, without a doubt. But not Indian. Some parts of the middle east are very lax on gambling and enjoy it as part of their culture. Especially United Arab Emirates (mostly Dubai with its rich nightlife).
I think gambling probably will find its oldest (and still findable) roots within China. Thats just me guessing though. For some reason it feels like something which the chinese have had in their culture for a long time already.
It might have been Africa but I doubt most African countries have had a concept for it back many years ago. Most did not even have a concept of money.