History of Casinos

The history of casinos is also the history of the establishment of gambling in modern societies and development of entertainment industry at its peak. From its rough start all the way to the glamour and magic of today’s grand casinos and their on-line counterparts, the concept of ‘casino’ is just getting bigger and bigger.

The most common definition for what we know as ‘casino’ nowadays is ‘a public place entirely devoted to entertainment where a relationship between the House (the casino) and the player takes place’; this relationship lives through the games the House offers to the player for the latter to gamble in. Etymologically, the word ‘casino’ comes from Italy, meaning ‘casa’ (house).

To fully understand casino dynamics it is necessary to go back in time and analyze the history of gambling through the centuries. Historians highlight an episode which might have triggered the origin of gambling: in 1200 A.C. the kings of Sweden and Norway engaged in a conflict for lands by playing craps (quite similar to the game played these days). The winner would seize the lands for himself.

Another landmark in casino history took place in 1837 when one of the greatest inventions in gambling games was created in France: cards. Johannes Gutenberg, father of modern book printer, developed the first card deck circa 1450. To determine the birth of Poker and its incorporation to gambling houses it is necessary to analyze the different nations who helped in its development: England, Italy, Persia, amongst others.

Establishment of modern casinos’ concept came to be between the 18th and 19th century. It was during those years that parlors entirely devoted to gambling activities began to arise, defining the relationship between the gambler and a professional representative from the House: the croupier. This defined the casino as a professional business.