Who sponsered the gladiator festivities?

Answer 1

At first the gladiatorial games were sponsored by individuals,but because they grew in size over the years, individuals could not afford them so the emperors took over and sponsored all gladiatorial games.

Answer 2

At first the gladiatorial games were sponsored by individuals as a funeral munus or duty to the deceased. However because they grew in size over the years, individuals simply could not afford them so the emperors took over and sponsored all gladiatorial games. In some instances wealthy individuals were able to hold private gladiator fights in their palatial estates. In the provinces, such as the area where the modern nation of Croatia exists, arenas for gladiator events and other forms of entertainment were paid for by the local Roman government.