An Overview of Casinos
Europe dominated the gambling industry long before Las Vegas emerged from the desert to become the neon capital of casinos, with the first recognized casinos opening their doors as early as the 17th century.
What began as unlicensed dice games in private homes or army camps persisted for decades through prohibition, punishment, and regulation until the first modern luxury casino foundations were established in Europe.
Since most gambling in Europe now takes place at top online Casino, European casino games have shifted from the opulent halls of Monte Carlo to LED screens in offices and living rooms. Before the 19th century arrived, and their success allowed for the development of contemporary gambling, European casinos were small, sometimes even owned by governments.
The Early Beginnings of Casinos
At least, that is when the earliest mention of dice games in Sophocles’ works dates gambling in Europe to 500 BC. However, since the Roman government forbade gambling, the Romans had to be inventive and figure out ways to cover up their gaming. It is how the first chips were made to protect themselves from legal action for using actual money to gamble.
Dice games and the bans continued to be popular well into the next centuries and the Middle Ages when new types of gambling emerged, and new laws were imposed. Card games were introduced to Europe in the fifteenth century and quickly gained popularity. However, most games were played in homes, either public or private, which was very different from today’s casinos.
A Look at the First Casino
However, the Riddotto in Venice, the first gaming establishment in Europe, didn’t open until 1638. By modern standards, this government-owned Venetian casino was the first recognized establishment of its kind. Strict guidelines were established, and no costs were spared for decoration or service, all to draw in upper-class customers.
Additionally, the casino continued open until the 18th century, when gambling was outlawed, even though it was only intended to be a transient attraction to deflect turmoil during the carnival. Although it moved from the old palace to the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi in the 1950s, the casino is still open in Venice.
The Expansion and Spread of Casinos
Following a phase of state-approved lotteries, gambling and card game prohibitions, decrees legalizing gambling once more, and other regulations imposed by governments throughout Europe, the Redoute casino in Spa, Belgium, which is Europe’s second-oldest casino, was approved for construction by Cardinal Jean-Theodore of Bavaria in 1762.
Even though the Liege revolution and prohibitions caused problems for the casino later on, it is still operational today and is known as Casino Spa. In the German town of Baden Baden, a spa house was established in 1765 as a sequel to The Redoute. It gradually began drawing guests with its recreational offerings, which included gambling.
Two more casinos were opened on the continent in the 1770s: The Redoute in France and the Vaux Hall in Spa, Belgium. However, when a new gambling frenzy reached France twenty years later, the roulette wheel gained notoriety and made the casino industry extremely successful.
The next years saw a boom in the economy of Monte Carlo due to the combination of a new train and the casino’s success, making Monaco the casino capital of Europe for the ensuing ten years.