People have long enjoyed playing games of chance, competing against their peers, and winning money. From the era of the ancient Egyptians roughly 5,000 years ago onwards, there’s a documented history of dice tosses, card games, and other forms of organized gambling. 

Gambling houses have always been around to host these early, developing games but, due to cultural prohibitions against betting, the first formal casinos didn’t arise until the end of the Renaissance. During this time, Italian lawmakers pulled gambling out of the dark ages and transformed it into the opulent, exhilarating experience it is today.

Now, there are almost 8,000 casinos operating across every continent besides Antarctica. Let’s explore how they traveled from that first spot on the banks of Venice’s Grand Canal across the Atlantic to Ocean Casino Resort and beyond. 

The First Casino

As mentioned, the first casino came to life in the infamous canal-lined metropolis of Venice in 1638. Illicit gambling was already widespread in the city so, hoping to cash in on their citizens’ desire to bet, the Venetian government formalized the industry.

The word Casino actually comes from the Italian word for ‘a small house’—a throwback to the days when games were played in private homes. That first established gambling institution, Il Ridotto, was far from a standard house, however. Like the most exhilarating of modern casinos, Il Ridotto didn’t just offer heart-pumping gaming action, but likewise:

• Highly renowned food and drinks
• Live music 
• The opportunity to dance the night away 

Unlike modern casinos, however, there was no variation amongst the clientele. Everyone was a high-roller, bets were astronomical, and each attendee was expected to:

• Follow a dress code
• Abide by the casino’s behavior patterns and customs
• Order specific dishes off the menu

Eventually, the influence of the church over Venetian society turned popular opinion against Il Ridotto and it was closed down. This initial casino sparked Europe’s love for competitive gaming, however, and soon they were popping up across the continent.

The Spread of Casinos Across Europe

The Il Ridotto closed in 1774 but, during the same decade, casinos began appearing in a few other European cities. Despite Italy’s reluctance to continue legalized gambling during the 1770s:

• The Redoute debuted in France
• The Vaux Hall in Spa, Belgium first opened its doors

After this initial wave of legitimized, legalized gaming institutions, gambling began making inroads across Europe over the next century. In Edwardian England, an 1845 ruling legalized skill-based gambling and paved the way for the nation’s current casino scene. 

Less than 20 years later in 1863, Europe’s most recognized and renowned casino, The Monte Carlo, was established in Monaco. It’s been the setting of two James Bond movies amongst countless other books, films, and stories. 

Eventually, more European governments began allowing gambling in formal, controlled spaces—but it didn’t happen overnight. Finland, for example, didn’t permit them until 1966 while Sweden didn’t open its first standardized casino until 1999. Now, nearly every fully recognized country in Europe (aside from The Vatican) permits organized gambling. 

Casino Culture in Asia

While Monaco and Las Vegas may claim most of the notoriety, the world’s largest gambling hub is actually Macau. This special administrative region of China sees up to $36 billion USD in gaming revenue annually—nearly six times that of Vegas. 

When the Portuguese government of Macau legalized gambling in 1847, it led to an instant surge of so-called “Fan Stalls” where bettors could wager on games of chance. Seeing the importance of gambling to the city’s economy, officials expanded casinos and other gaming establishments until they became the main source of tax revenue. 

While Macau is the largest gambling destination in Asia (and the world), it’s far from the only one. Gaming is also a huge industry in Southeast Asia, where many countries only permit foreigners inside their casino doors. There are around 350 casinos in the region, with nearly two-thirds concentrated in:

• Cambodia
• The Philippines

And, with Thailand’s plan to legalize gambling in the coming years, you can expect even more casinos to pop up in paradise in the near future. 

Casinos in the United States

Gambling was strictly controlled in early America until well past our nation’s independence. It wasn’t until 1815, in fact, that the first laws regulating and taxing casinos were established in New Orleans. Since then, it’s often been up to individual states, cities, and territories to set their own rules regarding gaming. 

In turn, different areas have all legalized (or criminalized) gambling at various times over the years. Some of the most notable points on the timeline of America’s legal gambling history include:

• 1832 – The first casino in Washington, D.C., the Palace of Fortune, opens its doors. 
• 1858 – Riverboat gambling tours begin rising in popularity. 
• 1869 – The Nevada State Legislature legalizes gambling. 
• 1902 – The Monte Carlo of America opens in Saratoga Springs, New York.
• 1931 – Nevada legalizes gambling again after prohibiting it in 1910.
• 1976 – New Jersey legalizes gambling in America’s Playground, Atlantic City. 

Over the last 50 years, many more areas have legalized, controlled, or regulated gambling in various ways. By 1993, 13 states had legalized casinos with others making exceptions for Indigenous communities and riverboat gambling trips.

Few rulings have had such a profound effect on the character, history, and prosperity of a region than that 1976 New Jersey referendum, however. Because of it, Ocean Casino Resort and the whole of Atlantic City have earned a special place in the hearts of gaming lovers and vacationers the world over.

Experience Living History by Gaming at Ocean Casino Resort

Did you know that many of the games offered at Ocean Casino Resort date back to the early days of competitive gambling, before casinos were all above-board?

Craps, for instance, was first played in New York in 1907—well before the state permitted gambling of any kind. Similarly, slot machines were first created in 1905 but were camouflaged or hidden until the mid-1950s due to their illegality. 

At Ocean Casino Resort, you can enjoy all the thrills of video, table, and slot games without worrying about breaking the law. With hundreds of different gaming options to choose from (plus an endless lineup of incredible live acts, fabulous dining establishments, and more), there’s something for everyone at Ocean Casino Resort. 

Come down and place your bets today—your winnings could become another key part of casino history!

Sources: 

Home Business Magazine. History of Gambling. https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/history-of-gambling/. 

Statista. Casinos worldwide - statistics & facts. https://www.statista.com/topics/1053/casinos/#topicOverview. 

Statista. Number of gambling properties operating worldwide in 2023, by region. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1130707/number-of-gambling-locations-worldwide-by-region/. 

The World Financial Review. Short History Of Casinos. https://worldfinancialreview.com/short-history-of-casinos/. 

Malta Today. A short history of European gaming. https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/announcements/announcements/118567/a_short_history_of_european_gaming/. 

Local Histories. Historical overview of gambling in Europe. https://localhistories.org/historical-overview-of-gambling-in-europe/. 

Time Magazine. ‘An Empty Shell of What It Used to Be’: Asia’s Gambling Mecca Gets a China-Backed Makeover. https://time.com/6227922/macau-gambling-capital-casino-china/. 

Association of Certified Gaming Compliance Specialists. The History and Development of Casino Gaming in Macau. https://www.acgcs.org/articles/the-history-and-development-of-casino-gaming-in-macau. 

The Economist. Casinos are booming in Southeast Asia. https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/06/27/casinos-are-booming-in-south-east-asia. 

University of New Orleans. A Chronology of (Legal) Gaining in the U.S.. https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=grrj.