The Dawn of Organized Betting
While the modern casino is a relatively recent invention, the act of gambling is as old as civilization itself. Dice have been found in archaeological digs dating back to 3000 B.C., and tales of betting are common in Greek and Roman history.

The Birthplace of the Casino
It’s no surprise that the word casino comes from Italy, as this is where the first public gambling house was established. The Ridotto in Venice is widely considered the world’s first government-approved casino, created to provide a controlled environment for casino gambling. Its purpose was to regulate the city’s rampant gambling, though its high stakes meant only the wealthy could afford to play.

The Golden Age in Europe
In the 19th century, casinos became popular fixtures in spa towns across Europe, like Baden-Baden in Germany. The pinnacle of this era was the establishment of the iconic Monte Carlo Casino. Opened in 1863, it was designed to save Monaco’s ruling family from bankruptcy.

The American Frontier and the Las Vegas Boom
Gambling followed the expansion westward in the U.S., becoming a staple of saloons in frontier towns. This was followed by a period of moral reform that saw gambling outlawed across the country. Everything changed in 1931 when the state of Nevada legalized gambling to combat the Great Depression. From this single legislative act, Las Vegas began its journey to becoming the world-famous “Sin City.”

The Digital Revolution: The Online Casino Era
The internet’s arrival in the 1990s marked the beginning of the most profound transformation for the casino industry. In the mid-1990s, the first pioneering online casinos went live, casino laying the groundwork for a new industry. From its humble beginnings, the online casino sector has grown into a major casino economic force, completely changing how people gamble.