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Casinos are a huge attraction, and whether you’ve had a trip to one or had the pleasure of playing some games, the experience is a lifelong one. With many countries boasting popular locations, players experience more than a side attraction because casinos have become part and parcel of modern culture. But what do you know about them and how they came into existence?
This article explores five interesting facts about casinos you simply can’t ignore. Let’s go!
1. Casinos Originated in Italy
Hitting an online casino is convenient, but that wasn’t always the case. Many notable locations like London and Las Vegas can stake a claim to being the first, but if history serves us well, that singular honor goes to Italy.
Derived from the root word ‘casa’, meaning house, it was a place known for organized staking experiences. Besides, gambling in Italy goes back some centuries to 1638 in Venice.
2. Slots First Appeared in 1887
While the origin or history of many table games remains a mystery, that of the first slot machine is never in doubt. It was introduced in 1887 and was fondly called the Liberty Bell. The slot machine was developed by Charles Fey, who released the completed design in 1891.
This slot had a basic construction, but it’s the first, setting the pace for a game that continues to dominate many game rooms in multiple countries.
3. Eight Years: Length of the Longest Poker Game
You read right. Poker doesn’t just take stamina, patience, and luck; it also takes a considerable amount of time. Some games last for hours, days, and even months. However, the world poker endurance record beats all imagination, taking eight years to play out.
The game, which reportedly took place in 1881 in Arizona, was played on a rolling 24-hour basis, featuring occasional sleep and breaks. In all, it was said to have lasted for eight years, five months, and three days. Well, the time was worth it, thanks to a reported $10,000,000 changing hands.
4. Total Numbers on a Roulette Wheel is 666
If you’re afraid of strange coincidences, look away now. Initially viewed as propaganda against the games, it’s now a fact that the total numbers on a roulette wheel equal the biblical “number of the beast.”
The game eventually got its nickname from this coincidence and is called “The Devil’s Wheel.” Now you don’t have to carry a weird look each time it’s mentioned.
5. First Vegas Casino Recipient was a Woman
Men may have set the pace or been credited for many firsts. However, the world of casino entrepreneurs was never restricted to men. Mayme Stocker made sure of that as one of the pioneers of Las Vegas.
She was the first to be issued a casino license in the city, and at that time, her casino only offered five legal games: bridge, lowball poker, stud poker, draw poker, and 500.
Conclusion
Whether it’s for pleasure or financial enhancements, these facts prove that casinos and every related activity are here to stay. Its history is as diverse as the players who engage in it. Over time, these facts continue to shape the world’s attitude toward risk-taking, chance, and reward.