Do you know what a monopoly is? It is an exclusive right given to an individual or company to trade in a particular commodity. Traditionally, monarchs sold these monopolies or exclusive rights, and the sale of monopolies provided them with a lot of money.
The House of Commons began to attack this practice of selling monopolies, on the grounds that it made things more expensive. Playing cards and dice were two of the commodities on which Elizabeth issued a monopoly, but others were on more necessary items such as vinegar, starch, sweet wines, and salt. By 1601, protests were so strong that Elizabeth was forced to yield to the demands of the House and repeal, or take back all the monopolies that had been granted.