Games of chance have been around for many years. In fact, forms of Roulette date as far back as ancient Greek and Roman times – where soldiers would spin weapons and place bets on the outcome.
Playing cards date back even further than this. It’s believed playing cards were invented in China before 1000AD and found their way from Egypt to Europe around 1360.
Of course, each version of the games we know and love today have evolved over time, and the likes of Roulette and Blackjack can more specifically be traced to 17th-century France.
Despite this, centuries have passed since the first bets were placed – and with the more recent invention of online casino sites – games of chance have never been so accessible.
From the first playing cards to the futuristic live casino, read on to discover how casino games have evolved…
The first playing cards
When the first playing cards arrived in Europe in the 1300s, they were most commonly used for divination, as well as games. Originally, the cards were hand-painted, making them luxurious goods only accessible to the rich and royal.
In the 15th century, card costs were reduced thanks to the introduction of woodblock printing in Germany, and later reduced further in France through the use of stencils. This is where the designs became simplified, and the traditional suits (Spades, Diamonds, Clubs and Hearts) made their debut.
The first casino
The oldest casino in the world still sits proudly on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, to this day. The Casino di Venezia was originally known as the Theatre Saint Moses, which had a wing for gaming during the intermission of plays.
The Renaissance palace was built in the 15th century and started the casino craze in Italy in the 1700s. It has since been a home to Italian royalty and a frequent getaway of German composer Richard Wagner.
In 1946, the city of Venice purchased the building, re-opening it as a casino in 1959.
Las Vegas
The 1940s also saw the first casino open on what would later become known as the Las Vegas Strip. Nevada and The Strip have a rich history, but it was the evolution of casino resorts around this time that really made Sin City what it is today.
From bright lights, entertainment and Elvis Presley – the Las Vegas Strip is seen as the epitome of Hollywood glitz and glamour – an integral part of the casino atmosphere we know and love today.
Online gaming
It was in Las Vegas that the first electromechanical slot machine made an appearance. The machine used a 19-inch Sony TV for the display, featuring in the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in 1976 before gaining approval from the Nevada State Gaming Commission and gaining popularity on The Strip.
This advancement in technology carved the way for the digital age of gaming, and between 1994 and 1996, the first online casino opened its virtual doors.
To begin with, only a few games like Roulette and Blackjack were available to play, graphics were basic, and not many households had access to a computer.
Since the rise of smartphones, greater internet speeds and technology have evolved, so online casinos can provide the ultimate gaming experience, anywhere you fancy!
With graphics replicating the bright lights of Las Vegas, and live dealer games unlike anything at a land-based venue – it’s clear that casino gaming has, and will continue to evolve.
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Do you think you’ll be visiting some of these iconic land-based casinos anytime soon? Or will you be catching a glimpse of the Las Vegas Strip online instead?
