While gambling in the olden days took place in drinking dens and street alleys, nowadays, it takes place in casinos. A casino can be described as a room, a building, or a facility where people can play different games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, craps, keno, baccarat, and poker.
In addition to gambling activities, casinos offer a range of entertainment options such as; restaurants, bars, and live entertainment options. There are different types of casinos. In land-based casinos, you have to be there physically, while in online casinos, you play virtually from the comfort of your home.
The type of games offered and the rules governing gambling activities in casinos vary from one country to the other. In countries where casinos are legal, they are regulated by the government. Let’s dive into the history of gambling to understand when casinos were invented.
The History Of Gambling
It is believed that gambling has been present since time immemorial. Before the invention of any form of currency, people would gamble on their belongings like food, land, livestock, and in some cultures, wives, and children.
And while gambling history cannot be traced to the exact origins, the earliest evidence was recorded by the Chinese around 2300 BC. Tiles that corresponded to people’s enjoyment of gambling with one another were found by historians. It is also believed that The Chinese’ Book of Songs’ makes reference to “the drawing of wood,” which suggests the tiles may have formed part of a lottery-type game.
Ancient Egyptian dice were also found in the tombs dating back to 1500 BC. Another history of gambling is tied to scenes on Ancient Greek and Roman pottery which indicate that betting on animal fights was common and animals were bred for gambling purposes. It is believed that Greeks and Romans loved gambling so much that even when it was forbidden in the ancient city of Rome and a penalty imposed, ingenious roman citizens invented the first gambling chips. This way, if they were caught, they could claim to be playing for chips and not for real money.
It is also rumored that the first playing cards first appeared in China during the 9th century. Although the games and the rules played are unknown, it is believed that the cards were decorated with the human form, and as games spread the kings and queens, which were more familiar, began to appear.
In ancient civilizations such as China, Greece, and Rome, people would use coins and other forms of currency to place bets or play games of chance. In China, for example, gambling games like keno and pai gow were played with money as early as the Han dynasty, which lasted from 206 BCE to 220 CE. However, gambling started using money around the 7th century after the first currency was invented.
As gambling continued to spread and evolve in societies, people started playing it in gambling dens and halls. There was no specific location allocated for gambling until 1638 when the local council in Venice, Italy, opened Casino di Venezia (it was known as Ridotto) during the carnival season. Its main aim was to enable organized and trouble-free gambling during the event.
Experts believe this was the first birthplace of the casino, and from then, it spread to Europe and eventually to the United States. The term casino was formed from the Italian word meaning “a small house.”
Between the 16th and 19th centuries, gambling became more popular as casinos opened up in cities around the world. In the United States, riverboat gambling became popular in the Mississippi River region, and casinos opened up in places like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. And in the 20th century, there was the introduction of new forms of gambling, such as slot machines, electronic games, and online gambling.
Since then, gambling has become a multi-billion industry that is regulated in many countries and is a popular pastime activity for many people around the world.
World’s First Casino
As mentioned earlier, the world’s first casino, the Ridotto, was invented in 1638 in Venice, Italy, to provide a controlled gaming environment amidst the chaos of the annual carnival season. Before this setup, people would gamble in back alleys or drinking establishments. It is believed that alongside gambling, the audience was entertained by dancing and music. Meals and drinks would also be served.
However, not everyone was allowed into the casino but only privileged people. The visitors were given rules to abide by. They were told how to dress, and similarly, they had to order some specific dishes from the menu. During this time, gambling was largely outlawed by the Christian church and regarded as a sin. This negative attitude from the church forced the government to make gambling illegal, and later the first world casino was closed but later reopened. The existence of the casino was beneficial to the state because it paid high taxes.
Oldest Casino Games
Some of the oldest casino games that are played to date include;
Poker
Poker is a card game that has been played for centuries. Even though its exact origins are unclear, It is believed to have originated in the 17th century in Persia. Other theories suggest it was inspired by a french game called Poque. It became popular in the United States in the 19th century and has remained popular ever since.
Baccarat
Baccarat is believed to be one of the earliest games to be played in the history of gambling. It was first mentioned in the 1400s after it spread from Italy to France. It has taken years and various evolutions to arrive at the game we know today. Baccarat is a card game where players bet on the outcome of two hands, the player’s hand and the banker’s hand.
Blackjack
Also known as 21, blackjack is a card game played between one or more payers and a dealer. The objective is to have a hand value closer to 21 without going over 21. The game is believed to have originated in several counties, including Spain and France, in the 17th century.
Roulette
Roulette is believed to have originated in seventeenth-century England, where an early version of the game was called Roly-Poly. It eventually made its way to France, where some of the modern features were added that gave it its current form. It involves a spinning wheel with numbered slots, and players bet on where a ball will land when the wheel is spun.
Craps
The origin of craps is known to have originated in Arabia before traveling to Europe and eventually making its way to America. The modern game of craps took form in the early 1900s, with the roll of two dice being used to decide whether a player would win or lose. Over time, more rules were added to make it what it is today: an exciting and strategic casino game that can be found in casinos around the world.
The Future Of Gambling
The evolution of casinos has come a long way, from people gambling with land and livestock to real money and even, currently, cryptocurrency. The advancement of technology has also resulted in online gambling. Now players can access any game they want to play from the comfort of their ]homes. It is difficult to predict the future of gambling, but what we know for sure is that it’s likely to be shaped by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory developments.
Instant Payout
It is important to note that it is also possible to receive an instant gambling payout while playing at an online casino. This is why it is essential to choose a fast payout casino that’ll ensure you receive your winnings instantly without having to wait for unbearable hours.
Conclusion
To answer the question of when casinos were invented, casinos have been in existence since time immemorial. Before any currency was invented, people would gamble with livestock and land. The history of gambling goes back to as early as 2300 BC, as recorded by the Chinese. Ancient Egyptian dice were also found in the tombs dating back to 1500 BC. As casinos became popular, the world’s first casino, the Ridotto, was launched in Venice, Italy, and later casinos spread to many parts of the world.
FAQs
When were casinos invented in America?
Even though there is no evidence as to when casinos were invented in America, they are believed to have spread in America in the 19th century. Some of the earliest casinos in America were riverboat casinos that operated on the Mississippi River.
When was the first casino made?
The first casino was built in 1638 in Venice, Italy, to enable organized and trouble-free gambling during the carnival season.
Who created the first casino?
It is believed that the local council in Venice opened The Ridotto, which offered a variety of gambling games and entertainment, such as food and music.
When did casinos become legal?
The legalization of casinos varies by country and state. For example, the first state to legalize gambling was Nevada, followed by New Jersey then other states followed. It’s important to note casinos are illegal in countries and states that prohibit gambling.