Gambling has long-since been a firm favourite pastime across the majority of the world, although it has taken many different forms. Before the days of playing online casino games for real money, there was a whole host of other ways to get your gaming fix – even before the invention of the brick-and-mortar casino.
In general, indications of basic games of chance have been found dating back to ancient China, in the form of tiles. Also, the oldest known dice has been discovered in Egypt, whilst scenes of betting on animal fights have regularly been depicted across Greek and Roman poetry. This just goes to show that even without dedicated buildings or equipment, humans have always loved to gamble, in whichever form the games happen to take.
In around 200 BC, gambling houses in China began to emerge, offering their patrons a game called “White Pigeon Ticket”. The game is actually still played today, but is more widely known as “Keno”, and operates a lot like Bingo, with numbered tickets and a caller. The bird-related nickname was coined due to the carrying pigeons that would be used to distribute the news of the winning numbers to each village. These gambling houses were only allowed to operate after receiving permission from the governor of the province, who would in turn receive a percentage of the profits made from each flurry of gaming. What’s more, the winnings from these games would often be used to fund building works in the community, adding to the value of playing.
Staying in China, it’s also believed that the first ever playing cards were created here, in the 9th century. No one knows exactly what games were played with the archaic version of the cards that we know today, and of course, they looked quite different to what we’re now used to, although some similarities can be found. The cards would have human figures on them, or characters, which is not a far cry from the Kings and Queens that we recognise in the present day, a later change that was made when the playing cards found their way over to Europe.
The first recognised, and dedicated, casino building was established in Venice back in 1638, and still stands today! With this development in the 17th century, a controlled gambling environment was formed, and the rest of continental Europe began to follow suit, predominantly in the 19th century.
The first range of games that were being played in these locations were Roulette and an earlier version of Blackjack, referred to as “Vingt-et-un”, which were brought over to America by French settlers. In 1829, a version of Poker was produced in 17th century Persia, and brought over to New Orleans where it became a staple game in the world of gambling.
As well as brick-and-mortar casinos, the 20th century saw steam boats being tethered on the Mississippi river and acting as well-established venues for gambling, amongst wealthy farmers and traders, offering a whole new way to play!
So, whilst you settle down to play your favourite online casino classics, with a cuppa and your much-loved blanket, spare a thought for those that have come before you, as it’s not always been that easy!
