A Brief History of the Casino

June 7, 2019

Gambling has been a part of our culture for thousands of years; however, one of the most iconic and popular forms of gambling is visiting a casino. In Ancient China, the love of number games was always prevalent, but the word ‘casino’ translates to the Italian phrase ‘Little House,’ which refers to a building that has been built specifically for leisure. Centuries ago, these buildings would have been used primarily for dancing, music and drinking, with a hint of gambling on the side.

How did casinos go on to become a place that attracts the rich and famous and what lies in store for the future of casino gaming?

The birth of casino gaming

At the start of the Roman Empire, it was believed that all children were taught to gamble with the simple act of throwing a dice. One Roman emperor was even thought to have designed his carriage to allow gambling to take place while he was off duty. Although this form of gambling was just a fun past time amongst friends, there was never a designated building in which it officially took place. Gamers would meet up in secret, and the authorities did not agree to a gaming building until as late as 1638.

It was then during the 18th and 19th centuries where the term ‘casino’ was introduced. Soon after, this industry began to boom throughout the world, with casinos popping up in an array of locations such as Baden-Bade in Germany and the world-famous Monte Carlo. Casino gambling was shifted to a whole new level entirely as according to ThoughtCo, it is a game that can be learned.

The bright lights of Las Vegas

When many of us think of casinos, our minds immediately jump to Las Vegas. Where Traveler provides all the information newbies need to know about visiting the attractions and especially the iconic casinos which have become so familiarized with the resort. But how did Las Vegas find itself on the casino scene in the first place?

It all started back in 1905 when railroad workers were laying tracks to connect Vegas to the Pacific coastline. Due to the intense labor that they were faced with, their favorite past time led to gambling which caused a great deal of bad behavior. Although gambling was banned until 1931 in Nevada, people still decided to gamble in secret. The popularity of this form of gaming encouraged the very first casino to open in 1941 in El Rancho, Vegas.

What’s in store for the future of the casino?

Although choosing to gamble at the casino was first and foremost a social occasion, it seems that people in the current day and age are choosing to bet online when alone. Threatened by the shift to online gaming in the late 1990s, casino venues started to adopt a relaxed attitude on their regulations. Companies such as Unibet now provide customers with great offers such as the likes of free spins and bonuses to encourage gamblers to play throughout the day, from the comfort of their own home.

Final word

From its very humble beginnings to the bright lights of Las Vegas and beyond, it’s safe to say the casino gambling industry has truly stood the test of time. Movies such as the likes of James Bond and Ocean’s 11 have shown casino gambling as a past time of the rich and famous and has stemmed a desire in many people to try their hand at this iconic gambling game.

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