Dice - the first entertainment of ancient gamblers
The history of gambling dates back to ancient times. Of course, in chronicles you will not find a clear mention of this kind of amusement, but there is a long-standing version that such entertainment exists for more than one thousand years.
Without any documentation it is very difficult to build a clear chronology. However, the findings of archaeologists suggest that one of the oldest gambling games is dice. Why dice? It is believed that previously they had a sacred meaning and were used in magical rituals. After some time, they became an attribute of gambling leisure. The symbols indicating the dice as a gambling pastime, found in the form of images in Egyptian tombs, on the walls of temples in ancient Tibet, etc. It is important to note that even the myths of ancient Greece tell how the gods Zeus and Aphrodite determined the fate of heroes by tossing dice.
The Indian epics, which appeared centuries before Christ, preserve the references to dice - precisely as an entertainment game, and not only as an object for casting lots. Undoubtedly, there are many such examples, as information about gambling is found in various tales of many world cultures.
The first gambling houses in Europe
Civilizations expanded, large cities appeared, so gambling developed over time. Of course, it all started in noisy market squares and inns, where people quickly became addicted to entertainment. The smartest ones immediately realized that this kind of fun would help to make good money, because there would always be those who were willing to pay to test their luck.
The most significant time for the gambling industry, according to historians, was 557 BC. It was at this point in time in ancient Rome was built The Great Circus - the center of entertainment for residents. There was always a full house, as the public was waiting for the entertainment and spectacle.
Italy is the birthplace of the beloved casino. It is the Italian word "casino" that is translated as "lodge" or the now stable expression "gambling house". The first legal gambling establishments appeared in Venice in 1626. So the authorities became involved in the spread of gambling and over time taxed all the casinos operating at that time.
History of gambling in France and Monaco
The very first gambling house, similar to modern gambling clubs, appeared thanks to French Minister Mazarin in 1756 in Paris. It was created to replenish the emptied treasury of the reign of Louis XIV. By the time of opening of the gambling house assortment of entertainments was considerably replenished with several types of card games and roulette. And in general, this time period is famous for adding an unusual image and luster to the sphere of gambling. It was then that the game began to be perceived as a status in society and a fashionable hobby.
In Monaco, the first casino was opened in 1963 in order to improve the financial situation of the Principality. The gambling establishment was called Monte-Carlo, became world famous and is successfully operating today.
Gambling entertainment in Asia, America and Russia
The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were memorable for the gambling industry as gambling began to appear on other continents. In Asia, the main roles were assigned to the cities of Macao and Saigon, which became famous for their innovations in the form of private halls for large bets. In Russia, roulette and Wheel of Fortune became widely popular. In America, gambling history was mainly concentrated in the Wild West.
Of course, since then, the gambling industry has undergone many significant changes. Today, even trendy and in-demand clubs are giving precedence to online casinos that have emerged as a result of advances in technology. So from the usual dice games have grown to huge virtual portals that provide players with immense opportunities for entertainment and real big winnings.
