A Brief History of the Casino

The Dawn of Organized Betting

While the modern casino is a relatively recent invention, the act of gambling is as old as civilization itself. From ancient China to the Roman Empire, people have always been drawn to the thrill of risking something for a greater prize.

The Birthplace of the Casino

The term “casino” derives from Italian and originally referred to a small country villa or summerhouse. In 1638, the government of Venice opened the Ridotto to control and supervise gambling during the carnival season. Its purpose was to regulate the city’s rampant gambling, though its high stakes meant only the wealthy could afford to play.

The Golden Age in Europe

Throughout the 1800s, grand casinos emerged in European spa destinations, attracting the rich and famous. The pinnacle of this era was the establishment of the iconic Monte Carlo Casino. Opened in 1863, it was designed to save Monaco’s ruling family from bankruptcy.

The American Frontier and the Las Vegas Boom

Gambling followed the expansion westward in the U.S., becoming a staple of saloons in frontier towns. By the early 1900s, casino (goldfish.it) anti-gambling movements had succeeded in making it illegal in most states. In a bid to generate income during the Great Depression, Nevada made the pivotal decision to legalize gambling in 1931. This decision paved the way for the development of Las Vegas, which transformed from a small desert town into the undisputed entertainment and casino capital of the world.

The Latest Chapter in Casino History

The internet’s arrival in the 1990s marked the beginning of the most profound transformation for the casino industry. The first online casinos emerged in the mid-90s, offering a small selection of games to a niche audience. Today, the online casino industry is a multi-billion dollar global market, casino bringing the casino experience to millions of players on their computers and mobile devices.