The best way to know where we are going, is to look at where we came from. Therefore, to get the best understanding of casino games and gambling today, it is best to look back at how it all started. In this way we can become more knowledgeable on gambling history and apply our knowledge to move forward.
Gambling as a pastime is said to have been around for thousands of years. Below is a list of popular, and some very old casino games along with their brief history.
A Brief Gambling History on Casino Games
It is rumoured that the very first record of gambling took place around 2300 BC, in Ancient China. With centuries of gambling under their belt, the popular Chinese games Keno, Pai Gow and Sic Bo were born. During the Han Dynasty War as well as the erection of the Great Wall of China, Keno assisted with funding. Pai Gow only really became popular in the 19th century when introduced to the North Americans. Sic Bo, known as ‘Precious Dice’ was only introduced to America in the 20th century.
It was only in the 12th century that Craps came about through French, becoming popular in North America in the 1800s.
The 15th century brought with it, the famous Baccarat casino game, and was exclusively played by Italian royals. Italy then introduced Bingo to the gambling history mix, in 1530.
The first known writings of blackjack were inscribed by a gentleman named Miguel de Cervantes in an old Spanish story between the years of 1601 and 1602. Having both Spanish and French known decent. Yet another, French descendent game came about in 1655, meaning little wheel, Roulette came to be. The Roulette wheel only came about due to a physicist named Blaise Pascal making a mistake on one of his experiments.
In the 1890’s Charles Fey a Californian man brought about the first slot machine and named it “the Liberty Bell.”
Sports Betting and Gambling History
Sports betting had been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years but it started getting more organised in the 1700’s, in England. With the most popular form of sports betting being horse racing.
Sports betting was soon after introduced to the rest of the world, where it caught on like wildfire.
Online Gambling History
Online gambling came about to create convenience for the player. Providing a way for players to have access to their favourite games without having to travel. This was made possible through the growing availability of personal computers and internet access at home.
With new games being made to play online every day, the popularity of online casino gambling is off the charts. The wide variety of games offers Aussie players the chance to play any game that their heart desires. All of this without having to leave the house.
Although, many were sceptical to use real money at these online casinos, their minds were soon put at ease after strict regulations and protection programmes were put in place.