History of Casino Games
Ancient Gambling
According to historians, the earliest evidence of organized gambling dates back more than 3,000 years and was discovered in China. The earliest evidence of gambling comes from dice found in ancient Egypt that dates back as far as 1500 BC. However, we cannot be sure about the exact period during which gambling and betting originated; there is only one certainty: over the past thousand years they have evolved along with other games.
In Greek legends, it is said that Zeus — the god of the sky and Poseidon — ruler of all waters — divided up he Universe by rolling dice. In northern European history, Swedish and Norwegian kings were also reported to have cut a deal over land division based on which way Odin’s spear fell in battle.
Casino games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment for adults today. Casino games such as poker, blackjack, roulette and slots have become a part of our lives. The glitzy Las Vegas, which has become the gambling world capital and a Mecca for gamblers worldwide, has been seen by many people with their own eyes. In Vegas you can find thousands of casinos offering thousands of games to experience. We’ll take a look at the history of gambling and casino games to see how they evolved over time.
Modern Days Gambling
Prior to the opening of the casino, people made bets on illegal gambling but after its opening strict measures were taken by councils to regulate gaming.
Construction of casinos was rampant in Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden, Germany; as well as Monte Carlo – the legendary capital city known for its casino. To attract wealthy gamblers, casinos began to look more like palaces than gambling halls. As a result of this competition, they lavished attention on the comfort and luxury of their customers.
Prior to the creation of Las Vegas, bets were placed mainly in old-fashioned bars – which were not a friendly place for beginners and inexperienced players. Though the odds are stacked against you, it is still possible to win at a casino.
Gambling has been part of Las Vegas culture since the first casinos were built there decades ago. Last year, about 40 million people visited this gambling mecca to try their luck at slots and other games such as poker and roulette. The Las Vegas desert thrives and leads the global casino landscape because of the millions who gamble at thousands of gaming machines, roulettes, and live tables.
Vegas – the casinos paradice in the desert
The history of the Vegas began in 1905, when railroad workers who were connecting Los Angeles and Salt Lake City with the Pacific coast decided to have some fun. They decided to take a break from their everyday routine by going out.
Things began as a simple card game, but soon gamblers, drunks and prostitutes were taking over the city. Despite their efforts, however, the officials could not stamp out all gambling in Nevada.
Despite government efforts to stop gambling, illegal betting continued. All these factors created the conditions for unlawful casinos to form and for organized crime groups to grow. As a result, crime and violence went up dramatically .
The leaders of Nevada soon realized that they could not solve the problem of gambling and crime themselves, so they decided to legalize gambling again. The people who gamble must be registered and taxed by a state agency if violence and crime are going to decrease. At that time, the price of oil was at its highest level throughout the country.
The first licensed casino opened in 1941 and was called Golden Gate. At the same time, an unknown complex emerged – El Rancho Vegas – that offered guests horseback riding, a swimming pool, dancers…and splendid casino games.
The Vegas Strip’s first casino – Vegas Strip, which offered its guests two blackjack tables and about 70 vegas slots – opened to large crowds. Vegas’s rise to prominence began attracting visitors from around the globe, and its popularity has since spread well beyond US borders.
In the 60s, 70s, and 80’s of the 20th century an unprecedented boom occurred in Las Vegas. Casino owners competed fiercely for tourists – building ever larger and flashier casinos to attract visitors from around the world.
This area has drawn the attention of many influential people in the entertainment industry, and as a result its growth has accelerated. Many famous people have visited Las Vegas – Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe are just a few examples – and their visits helped make the city even more attractive to tourists.
Evolution has undoubtedly affected the gaming industry. It went from dice, tiles and bets until it resulted in opening of the world’s first casino: Casino di Venezia located Venice, Italy. The museum was founded more than three hundred years ago and caused a major sensation at the time of its opening, as it coincided with an important carnival held annually in the city. In 1774, the local government closed down the casino because it believed that people engaged in too many gambling activities and incurred financial losses as a result.
Gambling has undergone a metamorphosis over the years to its current state, in which machines and slots have replaced most classic games. But when scientific progress and technology caught up with gambling, the first slot machines appeared. They created a turning point in gambling history, as these newfangled devices spread to every casino around the world.
Casino games nowadays
Casinos have seen a decline in popularity due to the rise of online gambling, but many people still enjoy playing traditional casino games. There are so many online slots to choose from, it is impossible to play them all. But don’t worry; if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices out there, we have a few recommendations for some great games that anybody can enjoy. There are multiple kinds of slots, each appealing to a different audience. For example, there are slots themed around Hollywood films as well as computer games such as Counter-Strike and World of Warcraft – there really is something for everyone.
