Why did governments tax or control playing-card manufacture?

Governments historically controlled or taxed the manufacture of playing cards primarily to capitalize on the widespread popularity of gambling. Because card games were frequently associated with gambling and social vice, authorities viewed the industry as a lucrative source of revenue.1

To secure these funds, governments employed several methods:

• State Monopolies: Some nations established a state monopoly over card production, enforcing compliance through severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or even death for those caught forging cards.1
• Direct Taxation: Other governments imposed a tax on the manufacture of cards. In 18th-century Britain, for example, this was managed through a stamp tax, where an authorization stamp was applied to the ace of spades to verify that the tax had been paid.12

These measures allowed states to "seek a piece of the action" generated by the booming market for card games, which had become increasingly accessible following advancements in printing and production techniques.1