The history of gambling goes back to ancient times. Cards and dice appeared long before the very concept of “casino”. For many millennia, gambling was held in public places and just on the streets, until enterprising citizens (and sometimes governments of various countries) did not see them as an opportunity for personal enrichment and budget replenishment. This is how the foundations of their regulation were born. The games themselves moved from the streets to specialized places. In this article, the editorial staff will tell you when the first casino appeared in the world, what institutions have had the greatest impact on the gambling entertainment industry and how things are with its regulation in Russia.
- What is Ridotto
- When the first casino appeared in the world
- Saloons in America
- Opening of the Monte Carlo gambling house
- History of casinos in Russia
- The first legal casino
- When online casinos began to appear
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ridotto
In the early 17th century, one of the wealthiest and most prosperous city-states on the Iberian Peninsula and throughout Europe was Venice. The locals were well off, trading or producing goods for sale on the mainland and across the ocean. Some of the money they earned was invariably spent in gambling establishments. The government cracked down on casinos, but the passion for betting, which originated in Roman times, could not be eradicated.
Each person sought to give an alternative in the form of lotteries. However, they did not enjoy wide popularity
Every person sought to give an alternative in the form of lotteries. However, they were not widely popular.
Illegal gambling establishments continued to operate successfully in the city-state. In order not to lose a major source of taxes and fight corruption and crime, the government of Venice decided to put an end to underground casinos in another way. The gambling business was legalized, but taken under strict control. This is how The Ridotto casino was opened near the middle of the 17th century. This was the beginning of the history of gambling establishments.
When the first casino in the world appeared
The launch of the first gambling house in Europe and the world is dated 1638. The exact day of its opening is unknown. “Ridotto” belonged to the government of Venice and worked under its supervision. Four floors in the Palazzo Dandolo building were allocated for these needs, which were intended for different types of gambling. For the first time, everyone was given the opportunity to bet legally.
Popularity
Ridotto games were in keeping with the spirit of their time. In seventeenth-century Venice, people were fond of betting in basset, faro, biribi and other card disciplines. Roulette, poker, blackjack did not yet exist. Since the operation of the gambling house was controlled by the government, it also determined the list of entertainment available to the guests. In this respect, the government relied on the preferences of wealthy citizens.
Formally, the first casino was open to all comers. However, because of the large betting limits and strict requirements for dress code could spend time in it only members of the wealthy strata of the population. At the same time, the institution ensured their anonymity. A mandatory requirement for entering the gambling halls was a mask to conceal one’s face.
The casino quickly gained wide fame. Among its visitors were famous philosophers and merchants. It operated successfully for 136 years and closed in 1774 as a result of the change of government and its political course. The casino did not coincide with the new moral principles promoted by the Venetian authorities.
Gambling restrictions by country
Such requirements in different forms were and continue to exist in most countries of the world. Somewhere restrictions on gambling are dictated by cultural considerations, in other countries – purely practical motives. For example, in Great Britain, the first attempts to regulate gambling began at the end of the XII century. In 1190, King Richard I passed a law that defined four important aspects:
- The requirements for people to qualify to bet.
- A list of legal types of gambling in the country.
- Betting limits in various disciplines.
- Liability for breaking the law.
In the United States, gambling began to be seriously regulated already in the post-colonial era of the country’s independence. The first state in which the casino was given the opportunity to work legally, was Louisiana. The relevant law was adopted in 1823.
The activity of gambling establishments in Macau was not regulated for a long time. The first casinos began to appear in the XVI century, when the city was a Portuguese colony. Officially gambling industry in Macau legalized only in 1847. The Portuguese government decided that gambling revenues would be taxed. Such a step was taken to diversify the economy against the backdrop of Macau losing its status as the largest trading port in the Pacific region. The city quickly became a famous gambling center in Asia and continues to maintain this status today, acting as a major counterbalance to the American Las Vegas.
In the USSR, any form of gambling, except for all-union lotteries, for most of history was under a complete ban. The first casino in the state opened in 1989. It was the Astoria Palace in Tallinn, Estonia.
Saloons in America
They became widespread in the United States during the Gold Rush and the exploration of western lands. Saloons were traditional American bars that offered various card games and dice in addition to food and alcoholic beverages. The first such establishment appeared in Brown Hall in Wyoming in 1822. Thirty years later, there were hundreds of such establishments throughout the Wild West.
The target audience of these establishments were mainly local workers, travelers, and criminals who escaped from justice from other states. Thanks to saloons formed a stereotypical image of the Wild West. They are also associated with the lives of many famous personalities. For example, legend has it that Wild Bill Hickok was shot and killed at a poker table in one of the saloons.
The popularity of these establishments is explained by several factors. First, saloons were almost the only entertainment in the newly founded Western cities. Second, they were tax-free and profitable for their owners. Third, players’ winnings were not limited by limits. Each person was given a chance to show his or her skills.
Opening of the Monte Carlo gambling house
This is not the first casino in the world. Nevertheless, Monte Carlo is one of the most famous and iconic in history. The establishment opened in 1863 after several unsuccessful attempts of the royal dynasty to organize gambling business in Monaco. Initially it was managed by the famous financier Francois Blanc, who turned Monte Carlo into the largest European casino.
The institution offered a large number of attractive gambling games for visitors. This roulette, poker, gin, bridge, dice and other disciplines. The popularity of the casino and the government’s decision to tax the games solved the pressing financial problems in the region at the time. “Monte Carlo” literally became the heart of Monaco both culturally and economically. To increase the flow of tourists, several railroads were extended to the principality. One of the largest is the branch line from Nice to Genoa. Along with a ten percent tax on winnings, this attracted a lot of money to Monaco.
In one year, 1869, “Monte Carlo” was visited by more than 170 thousand people. By the standards of the 19th century, this is an impressive figure
In one year, 1869, more than 170,000 people visited Monte Carlo. By the standards of the 19th century, this is an impressive figure.
The casino continues to be located in the same building in which it was originally opened. At different times it has been repeatedly reconstructed and rebuilt to allow more people to play at the same time.
The casino fulfills two functions at the same time. Until 14:00 local time “Monte Carlo” acts as a tourist object. The rest of the day the place works as a gambling establishment.
History of casinos in Russia
In the Russian Federation, gambling for a long time had no restrictions. They were organized by private companies that did not face strict regulatory measures. Land-based halls with slots on the example of Las Vegas were found in almost every major city. This lasted until mid-summer 2009, when a law banning gambling was passed. He limited the geography of casinos and allowed them to open only within a few zones. The latter were located in the Krasnodar, Altai and Primorsky Territories, as well as in the Kaliningrad Region.
| Gambling zone | Casino |
|---|---|
| “Krasnaya Polyana” | “Sochi”, “Boomerang”, “Bonus Slots” |
| “Primorye | Tigre de Cristal |
| “Siberian Coin | Altai Palace |
| “Yantarnaya | “Sobranie” |
Also soon another gambling zone is to appear in Crimea. It is called “Golden Coast”. According to the project, the zone will be located near Yalta and will be located on an area of more than 100 hectares.
Confirmation of legal work is the use of a license from the Federal Tax Service. Only after its obtaining it is possible to open an establishment in one of the gambling zones (within its limits). It is necessary to license individual slot machines. Depending on their type and number, the annual fee can be up to ten minimum wages.
In 1992, the Association of Gambling Businessmen was established in Russia. This is a public organization aimed at protecting the rights of entrepreneurs
In 1992, the Association of Gambling Businessmen was established in Russia. This is a public organization aimed at protecting the rights of entrepreneurs.
Also, the government decided that the winnings of visitors to gambling establishments are subject to personal income tax – 13%. If the amount of payment exceeds 5 million rubles, the rate increases to 15%.
The first legal casino
Establishment “Oracle” was founded in 2010 in the now defunct gambling zone “Azov-City”. This is the first official casino in modern Russia. The zone “Azov-City” was located on the border between the Krasnodar region and the Rostov region. However, in 2015, the government decided to liquidate it. Instead of “Azov-City” another zone appeared – “Krasnaya Polyana”. All gambling establishments in the former closed in 2019.
When online casinos began to appear
The history of the online gambling industry is not distinguished by specificity. The exact date of the appearance of the first casino in the world on the Internet is unknown. Sites with slots began to open in the mid-1990s. They gave access to a limited number of machines from one or more providers and were far from the usual modern player sites.
The emergence of such sites are associated with the companyMicrogaming. It was she who gave the world the first platform for online gaming. The government of Antigua and Barbuda debuted in the issuance of licenses for online platforms. For the first time, it defined the requirements for obtaining legal status, established which games would be taxed, and developed rules for accepting users and charging them payments.
In 1998, online slots fans were given the opportunity to win progressive jackpots. Prize funds for them were formed at the expense of part of the casino profits. The chance of getting a jackpot attracted a large audience. Potential winnings of players of online gambling establishments increased. One payment could exceed the size of the bet by tens of thousands of times.
However, the most rapid growth occurred in the early noughties. It was at this time the Internet became available to the masses. There were dozens of new studios to develop slot machines. If before users were offered only roulette,video poker classic slots, but now the choice of software has become much wider.
Frequently Asked Questions
It was developed by American engineer Charles Fey in 1894. The slot machine was named “Liberty Bell”.
Current legislation prohibits the organization of gambling on the Internet. But Russians have access to platforms operating under foreign licenses.
It is considered an institution El Rancho Vegas. It was officially opened in 1941 and existed for 19 years.
In 1946, the Venice authorities revived The Ridotto, but moved it to another building. The name was also changed. Today the establishment is called Casinò di Venezia.
At the registration stage, the user confirms agreement with the rules of the operator and the laws under which it operates. The principles of taxation of payments are determined by the specific jurisdiction in which the license was issued.