While the precise origin of gambling is unknown, history shows that gambling has been seen in some form or another throughout almost every society. Standout examples include the Ancient Greeks and Romans, Napoleonic France and Elizabethan England. All provide stories of entertainment based on chance. The Ridotto was the first known European gambling house and established in Venice in 1638. The Great Council of Venice ensured they provided controlled gambling during the carnival season and was closed by 1770 as the city government felt it was impoverishing the local gentry.
The Ridotto
Early American gambling establishments were known as saloons. Major cities including New Orleans, St Louis, Chicago and San Francisco were the first to create and influence the saloons and became commonly visited by travellers who were looking for people they could drink, talk and gamble with on lonely nights. The prohibition era of the early 20th Century saw gaming become outlawed and banned by state legislation and social reformers but by 1931 gambling was legalised in Nevada. This led to birth of Las Vegas setting up the first legalized casinos and becoming the casino capital of the world. New Jersey then allowed gambling in Atlantic City which is now America’s second largest gambling city.
The Casino di Venezia exists within the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi. The Calergi was designed in the late 15th Century by Mauro Codussi who was the architect or Chiesa di San Zaccaria and many other churches and private residences throughout Venice.
Ca Vendramin Calergi
Construction began in 1481 but Codussi died before its completion and it was finished by Bottega dei Lombardo in 1509. Since its opening, the building has changed hands multiple times and was most recently purchased by the City Council of Venice in 1946 and been home to the celebrated Casino di Venezia since 1959. Today the casino is home to rooms for elegant French games and American tables plus over 600 slot machines that provide a more informal way of having fun whilst set against the privileged backdrop of a unique setting.
Hard Rock Café International Inc. have been the innovators of theme restaurants since 1971 but didn’t expand into the casino business until 1995. Hard Rock co-founder Peter Morton spent $80million to open the first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near the Las Vegas strip. A subsequent $100million dollar expansion doubled the capacity just four years later. To date there are six Hard Rock Casinos in the United States comprised of two each in Florida and Nevada and one each in Mississippi and New Mexico. There a further nine spread out internationally in locations including India, Canada, Singapore, Macau and Manchester England.
Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas
Today the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas is 30,000 square feet and the hotel has over 1,500 rooms. Millions flock to visit each and every year to enjoy the various tables that include blackjack, roulette, poker and swim-up blackjack. The casino also features a high-limit slot machine room. Before you go to Vegas you can sharpen your memory with the Blackjack Memory Game and sharpen your skills in the age old game at the same time.
Photo Credits
The Ridotto – Wikimedia Public Domain
Ca’ Vendramin Calergi – Wikimedia Public Domain
Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas – Wikimedia Creative Commons
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Poppy Gallagher
I am a keen travel and technology enthusiast, I have 3 children which I spend most of my weekends with.
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