Casino games have been around for centuries, captivating the emotions and minds of players from all continents. Before games like Casino777‘s Jurassic Park: Gold came along and shook up the industry, we used to think of casino games as being poker and blackjack. But, there were many games that preceded even these. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of casino games and where they may be heading.
Early Beginnings
Gambling has always been a part of human history. Dice games were played by the ancient Greeks and Romans, whilst the Chinese are credited with inventing card games during the Tang dynasty. Whilst certain games can be traced back many centuries ago, it’s difficult to tell which ones were wagered. The origins of modern-day casino games can be traced back to 17th-century Italy.
The first casino game to gain popularity in Italy was known as “biribi,” a game of chance that involved players betting on the outcome of a single die. Biribi quickly spread across Europe and evolved into several different variations, including the game we know now as roulette.
Roulette was first introduced in France in the 18th century and quickly became a favorite pastime of the wealthy elite. The game was eventually brought to the United States, gaining even more popularity during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s.
The Rise of Card Games
So, roulette was one of the first casino games that we’re familiar with, but it didn’t take long for card games to take off around half a century later.
Whilst many card games preceded Poker, this was the one that was integral to casino game history. There were many variations, such as the Persian game of As-Nas, the French game of Poque, and the German game of Pochen. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that Texas hold ‘em was invented.
As the popularity of poker grew, other card games like blackjack, baccarat, and craps also gained popularity in casinos.
The Arrival of Slot Machines
It was around the turn of the 20th century when the casino industry truly became industraliased. A big part of this was the arrival of slot machines.
The first slot machine was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a mechanic from San Francisco.
Fey’s machine, known as the Liberty Bell, featured three spinning reels and a payout mechanism that awarded players for matching symbols. The Liberty Bell was an instant hit, and Fey quickly began producing more machines for placement in bars and saloons across the city.
The Digital Age
The rapid progression of technology is what turned Fey’s janky mechanical slot machine into a one-touch mobile app playable from anywhere in under 100 years. Today, almost all casino games are playable online with other players around the world, and live dealers streamed in.
Particularly since the pandemic, but even just before, online casinos were becoming more popular than traditional casinos. It’s not only traditional games that can be played on tablets and mobiles, but the library of games has never seen such exponential growth.
The Future of Casino Games
There’s good evidence that poker, roulette, and many other traditional games are timeless – they should survive. However, it’s clear that what we consider to be a casino game is being reinvented. Online slots now have stories, gamification, and 3D graphics. In fact, VR slots are already a thing.
But, gamification could be taken to a new level. Video games and casino games may merge, in which skill-based online multiplayers may be used for wagering purposes, and two behemoth industries could become fully integrated.
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