History of Gambling Across the World

There may be artifacts attesting to the practice of gambling going back hundreds of years. Many people throughout history have been drawn to the enormous stakes, which have likely been for almost as long as civilization itself. Most cultures and civilizations probably had casinos or something similar, but the first casinos as we know them today didn’t develop for quite some time.

The Venetian Ridotto is the oldest casino in continuous operation, having first opened its doors in 1638. But what kind of games casino did they like back then? Indeed, slot machines aren’t a good bet. These are some of the games that gamblers of old could have played.

Roulette

The contemporary game of roulette was developed in France in the 18th century, although its indirect 17th-century origins are assigned to the philosopher Blaise Pascal. Pascal’s goal was to construct a machine that could spin eternally on the energy it generated alone. Although his device ultimately failed, it did inspire the current roulette wheel.

Roly-poly, an early variant of the game, originated in Britain in the 1720s, but was banned in 1739. In the meanwhile, it had enough time to spread around the world. The modern roulette wheel traces its origins back to the last decades of the 18th century when it made its debut in French gambling dens. The numbers on the wheel were derived from the low-stakes French game Biribi.

Blackjack

The renowned Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes first described blackjack, the ancestor of the game today known as 21, in one of his novels. In “21”, a novel from his Novelas Ejemplares, we follow two skilled card cheaters. The fact that this story was published in the early 1600s suggests that blackjack had been popular among Spanish players for quite some time.

As it arrived in America, Swiss casinos started introducing changes to the classic game in an effort to keep players coming back for more. Bonuses were found to be an excellent means to this end (some things never change), with blackjack with an ace of spades being one of the most sought-after bonus hands. While the practice of using an additional hand was short-lived, the game is still often referred to by that moniker.

Keno

Playable in an increasing number of casinos outside of Las Vegas, Keno still has an interesting and surprising history. Despite keno’s evolution and expansion, the game’s basic principles remain the same.

Based on folklore, the game was developed at the same time as the Great Wall of China in an effort to fund the massive construction project. While it’s possible that this is more myth than truth, it’s impossible to deny that Chinese immigrants introduced the game to the West in the 1800s.

Dice

Casino games wouldn’t be the same without dice, and their importance in the early versions of these diversions can’t be stressed. According to Sophocles, a poet from ancient Greece, the game of dice was invented in his area. If true, it would place the genesis of dice games (including most of the variants being played in casinos today) in about 400 BC.

Evidence for the usage of dice dating back to 6000 B.C. has been bolstered by the work of archaeologists all across the world. Ancient Egyptian dice dating back to about the year 2000 B.C. Craps, as we now know it, is based on the classic British gambling game hazard. The modern version of craps was developed over many decades after the game was introduced in New Orleans.

Conclusion

Although the genesis of gambling is a mystery, roulette is said to be the oldest casino staple (barring any Chinese legends, in which case keno would scoop the title). It’s strange to think that people will continue to experience the thrill of games like roulette and blackjack for hundreds of years to come.