Where It All Began
While the modern casino is a relatively recent invention, the act of gambling is as old as civilization itself. Evidence of gambling, such as ancient dice, exists from thousands of years ago, with many classical texts referencing wagers and games of chance.
The Birthplace of the Casino
It's no surprise that the word casino comes from Italy, as this is where the first public gambling house was established. In 1638, the government of Venice opened the Ridotto to control and supervise gambling during the carnival season. This establishment was aimed at the nobility and helped bring order to the widespread practice of carnival-time betting.
The Golden Age in Europe
Throughout the 1800s, grand casino casinos emerged in European spa destinations, attracting the rich and famous. But none became more legendary than the Monte Carlo Casino. The casino was an economic project that quickly became a symbol of luxury, glamour, and high-stakes gambling for the world's elite.
Gambling in the New World
In the United States, gambling was prevalent in saloons across the "Wild West" during the 19th century. This was followed by a period of moral reform that saw gambling outlawed across the country. Everything changed in 1931 when the state of Nevada legalized gambling to combat the Great Depression. From this single legislative act, Las Vegas began its journey to becoming the world-famous "Sin City."
The Latest Chapter in Casino History
The most recent chapter began with the rise of the World Wide Web. In the mid-1990s, the first pioneering online casinos went live, laying the groundwork for a new industry. Today, the online casino industry is a multi-billion dollar global market, bringing the casino experience to millions of players on their computers and mobile devices.