Gambling and betting have always been an important part of human’s lives. It cannot be claimed that gambling and betting originated at very moment people became aware of themselves, but there is evidence dating as early as 2000 bc which state that a form of gambling and betting has always been a part of people’s lives. First gambling games appeared in China as a sort of lottery games, while dice games most probably originated in ancient Egypt. Ancient Romans and Greeks adored gambling and betting games, and gambling and betting continued to develop until the 17th century Italy where first gambling houses appeared. Due to its growing popularity ever since, this article will give you an insight into the history of casinos. In the following paragraphs, we will explore when and how casinos appeared, and how they developed over time both in Europe and in the United States.
FIRST GAMBLING HOUSES IN EUROPE
In Italy, in the 17th century, first gaming houses which resembled casinos appeared. They became extremely popular and continued to develop ever since. In 1638 the first well-known casino was established in Venezia and its popularity became huge in no time. During the carnival days and the chaos that appeared in the period, Ridotto was established to control and protect both people and casinos. The 1638 casino still works four centuries after.
GAMBLING HOUSES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
While casinos spread in Europe and reached its popularity, in the United States of America gambling houses, were not as popular. In the United States, some informal gambling houses were popular. Rich farms and traders would gather in steamboats down the Mississippi River and gamble inside.
People in America loved lottery games. Lottery games became so popular that they funded college and university buildings and campuses. For example, if it were not for the lottery, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia would not exist nowadays.
Horse racing was also very popular, and money was raised from horse racing as well for civil projects.
Horse racing, lotteries, cockfighting, card games paved the way to casinos.
GOLDEN AGE OF CASINOS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Since the gambling riverboats, gambling became more and more popular in the 19th century America. Many floating palaces appeared from New Orleans to Cincinnati along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Dream and fortune were chased on the steamy boats and gambling became extremely popular.
Gambling started developing in New York and Chicago, and some other urban areas of the United States. Gambling houses and halls appeared. They attracted urban, upper class who could afford to lose huge amounts of money. This upper-class and rich clientele occupied gambling halls and helped it develop rapidly into large casinos.
Both rich and poor love gambling and continue to gamble ever since.