Casinos – A History

Gambling dates back as far as cavemen watching rain drops trickle down a cave wall but Casinos are far more modern. Taking the definition to mean a building specifically used for the purpose of gambling the first known example is found in Venice, Italy in 1638. There, the Ridotto was set up to provide a home for gambling during the Carnival Season. This is also where the name ‘casino’ came from, derived from the Italian ‘casa’ meaning house.

A taste for gambling spread to France where games of Baccarat and Roulette were invented which gave the House an edge and ensured the casino business prospered.

Oppressive legislation lead to more liberal neighbours supplying the demand for casinos and Monte Carlo took the lead in Europe while Nevada thanked the rest of the USA for its trade boom.