Incredible Facts In Casino History

Casinos have existed for ages, with several generations and societies establishing venues for the average person to increase their respective net worth. Today, most casinos offer the opportunity to try a lavish lifestyle. Leading facilities, professionally dressed dealers, and top-of-the-line gaming software all combine to create a one-of-a-kind setting. But casinos have endured a turbulent existence. From uncertain beginnings to the modern set-up, this guide covers the most incredible facts in casino history.

Nobody Knows When Casino Gambling Started

More specifically, there is no written record of the first act of gambling. This means that the precise venue in which the earliest player (s) placed wagers remains entirely unknown, leaving historians to make educated guesses on the industry’s foundations.

Many believe that the first ‘retail’ casinos came to fruition in the mid-1600s. Kickstarted by the building of Italy’s famous Casino di Venezia in 1638, a flurry of physical establishments soon followed. This eventually culminated in the modern scene—one that features in-house gambling.

It is worth noting that casinos have developed not only in terms of games, rules, or entourage but also in terms of the payment sphere. Today, online casinos are at the peak of their popularity, so the development of online payments is also a stage of evolution. For example, casinos that use PayPal have become extremely popular. Security, speed and extreme ease of use make this method so popular among players. Today, online casinos using PayPal are among the leaders in the entertainment sphere of the next generation.

It is clear that casinos have gone through long stages of development, thanks to which we can see unrivalled results. But why casinos took so long to be integrated into modern society will remain an unanswered question for the remainder of time.

Nevada Built a Casino Within a State Prison

That’s right – Nevada lawmakers once gave the green light to develop a casino on prison grounds. Although no longer in operation, this prison-based casino gave inmates the opportunity to bet on sports, blackjack, craps, and other popular games and outcomes.

A warden eventually shut the operation down in the late 1960s, but the legend of Nevada’s in-prison casino lives on. According to sources, the ‘new’ warden dubbed the casino a “degradation” of those residing on the campus.

Casino in a London Taxi

When you think of ‘on the go’ gambling, most will immediately picture a smartphone or tablet app. The world’s smallest casino puts a spin on the idea of taking your gambling out and about – as Grosvenor Casinos operates a taxi service that lets customers use casino facilities and products when inside the car.

This is no ordinary cab, either. Its accoutrements include a dealer, live screens, and a bar, making it easy to forget that all of the action takes place in the backseat of a car. Unsurprisingly, a trip to a Grosvenor Casino-owned branch comes at a significantly reduced cost when you purchase this service.

Sponsorships Changed the Game

Perhaps the most important turning point for the casino industry arrived at the helm of the 2000s. By this point, sports had become a stalwart in the television space – and operators were eager to tap into the potential cash injections brought by new sports viewers.

This was considered possible by sponsoring sports teams in a variety of ways. Front-of-shirt sponsorships, stadium deals, training gear logos, and more began to flow throughout the entire sporting world.

You’ll see the likes of Paddy Power, BetMGM, Betway, and more at UK and US sporting events, with shirt contracts and advertisements a mainstay each season. The result of this industry-wide decision to participate in sports has proved fruitful; casinos gained the ability to cross international waters through a mix of subconscious influence and unexpected opportunity.

Sports Team	Sponsor
West Ham United	Betway
Stoke City	bet365
Liverpool	Ladbrokes
Dallas Cowboys	WinStar World Casino & Resort (2018)

Monaco Residents are Not Allowed to Bet

Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in Monaco is allowed to access the area’s local amenities and casinos. Strict rules restrict residents from entering casino venues, and staff members are only permitted to walk through casino doors while on duty.

It’s not all bad, though—the revenue accrued from tourist gambling expenditures is so impressive that the region does not tax its citizens. That means there is zero income tax to pay as a Monaco local, although the cost of living is quite a bit higher than most neighbouring territories.

Minimum Casino Age Varies

This is especially true in countries such as the US – where each state follows a different ruleset based on the preferences of voters and/or legislators. Casinos across the globe welcome players from the age of 18 and upwards.

Certain nations stipulate that customers must be 21+ to avail of retail gambling products and facilities. This means that the minimum age to sit down at a slot machine, compete in a poker tournament, or face off against a blackjack dealer is a little higher in select states and international spaces.

Local government authorities constantly evaluate such a rule, so it’s important to remain up-to-date with national laws before visiting a casino.

Age by country:

• Ireland – 18

• USA – 21
• UK – 18
• Australia – 18
• Canada – 19

Poker Is Illegal in Some US Regions

Much to the surprise of anyone who has watched a Western, poker has sat at the centre of American controversy for several years.

The issue is derived from a debate over whether poker is a game of chance. This has led to numerous states incorporating wildly differing rules compared to one another – with the likes of Utah outlawing the game entirely. On the other hand, states such as Georgia and Texas permit poker games where the house (casino) does not earn profit from the roundtable affair.

Online casino poker was struck by a fateful decision in 2011 — aptly dubbed ‘Black Friday’ — when the Department of Justice shut down several major poker sites. This prevented users from accessing the profiles and effectively killed the online poker industry.

Retail poker stood as the main beneficiary of this ruling. With in-person tables the only real option for enthusiasts, casino owners saw tremendous player upticks. It is arguable that ‘Black Friday’ is one of the most incredible and important moments for the modern casino industry.

Facts That Shape an Industry

Casinos have undergone various changes over the years. From the first establishments in the 17th century to today’s booming economic stature, few can compete with the retail and online gambling scene.

All of the incredible facts on this page have transformed space as we know it. Each decision, turning point, and rule stands as another important marker in the history of this ever-popular niche. Expect more unbelievable developments to impact casinos over the next decade and beyond.