A Look Back at the History of Casinos

From humble beginnings to global enterprises, the evolution of the casino is truly remarkable. What began as a small, private house for pleasure has transformed into a global industry encompassing lavish resorts and sophisticated digital platforms.

The Birthplace of the Casino: 17th Century Italy

The word "casino" itself is of Italian origin, meaning "little house". The very first public, state-sanctioned gambling house was the Ridotto, established in Venice, Italy, casino in 1638. It was created to control and formalize the gambling that was taking place during carnival season.

Expansion Across Continents

The casino concept gained traction throughout Europe, especially with the upper classes in the 1700s and 1800s. Iconic venues such as the one in Monte Carlo helped to define the casino as a place of sophistication and wealth.

Across the Atlantic, early American gambling was centered in the Wild West. However, it was the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931 that truly paved the way for the modern casino resort as we know it.

From Brick-and-Mortar to Clicks-and-Mortar

No single development had a greater impact on gambling than the rise of the internet. The first online casinos began to appear in the mid-90s, offering a small selection of games to a global audience.

The modern online casino landscape is vast, innovative, and constantly pushing boundaries with new technologies. The evolution from the Ridotto to a VR casino on your headset is a testament to the enduring appeal of games of chance and casino the industry's incredible capacity for innovation.