Worldwide

The ideas of fate and luck date back to ancient civilisations, and the desire to be entertained is even older. The invention of the first game of chance was inevitable, but where and when did it occur, and how did it work?

You won't find a single starting point in the history of gambling. The oldest evidence of gambling comes from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Ancient China. To track the industry's evolution from bone dice and emperors' lotteries to non-UK casinos on the NonGamStopBookmakers.net and luxurious venues in Vegas, we'll explore the 7 most impactful countries in casino history. Each of these regions played a unique role in shaping the global gambling landscape we know today.

China - game changer through the ages

The first traces of gambling activities in Ancient China date back to 2500 BC. The concept of luck deeply intertwines with Chinese traditions. The country is home to the first documented lottery, which was started in about 200 BC.

This lottery was launched by a Han dynasty emperor who intended to raise funds for his war campaign. It was the prehistoric version of today's Keno game. Other games of Chinese origin include:

● Fan-Tan
● Mahjong
● Pai Gow
● Sic Bo

Thanks to China, we can place real money bets on these standalone games at online casinos. However, Chinese culture itself is a powerful source of innovation. Its attributes are tremendously popular. Thus, China-themed slots are among the most-played slot genres. Players enjoy all those dragons, lucky hieroglyphs, gold coins, etc. You can find the principles of Chinese lucky numbers and colours in brand names, game titles, etc.

India - an alternative gambling world

Another Asian country that has defined the gambling industry is India. Most scholars consider India's Chaturanga the predecessor of chess. Another sports betting option from India is kabaddi.

Games with Indian roots also include Andar Bahar, Teen Patti, and Pachisi. During the colonial era, India became a land of clandestine casinos and horse racing sweepstakes. Gambling was strictly prohibited in Indian states in 1867, and these laws still function in several states. Still, the country's casino market is skyrocketing. Most users prefer online casinos, which aren't prohibited by the law.

Italy - the motherland of European gambling

Games of chance were known during the Roman Empire and in Ancient Greece. However, in Europe, the modern casino era started in Italy. The country's deep ties to ancient Italian history and its long-standing gambling traditions set the stage for the first gambling house, Ridotto, which opened in 1638 with official permission from the authorities. These days, Italy ranks among the largest markets in Europe, and players have brought 21 billion euros to local casinos in 2023.

France - where the best table games were born

The top table games were probably born in France. The game of Vingt-et-Un started the blackjack story in the 18th century. Today's baccarat originates from the French Chemin de Fer, and modern gamblers still enjoy this baccarat version at online and land-based casinos. Finally, most researchers agree that France is the homeland of roulette, which remains the #1 table game in the world.

Monaco - highrollers' top destination

A minute principality, Monaco, is famed for Monte Carlo. It all started in July 1865 when the Casino de Monte-Carlo was opened there. First, it was one brick-and-mortar. However, it soon expanded into a famous Mediterranean gambling hub. Today, Monte Carlo attracts highrollers – about 340,000 gamblers chose it in 2023, and market analysts predict that this number will grow substantially.

The USA - casino paradise

No matter how popular Monte Carlo and Macau are, for most people, Las Vegas is the iconic embodiment of gambling. This Sin City with 100+ casinos is located in Nevada, where gambling was legalised in 1931. Playing games of chance in Las Vegas is more than just gambling. The city offers splendid restaurants, luxurious hotels, and shopping malls, world-class events in sports, music, etc.

Thanks to major casino hubs like Atlantic City, Philadelphia, and Detroit, the US has the largest number of casinos in the world. In recent years, American online casinos have gained traction as digital gambling grows alongside traditional venues. The country's residents spend the most, too, even though in many US states, gambling is prohibited.

Great Britain - gambling is in its DNA

The first lottery in the UK was launched by Elizabeth Tudor in 1566. Horse racing betting was also known from that era. It was followed by greyhound races, boxing, football, etc. While the nobles preferred so-called gentlemen's clubs, common citizens dealt with bookmakers. Some companies have survived to this day.

The country's rulers always intended to control this ever-evolving market. There were attempts to criminalise it, and the industry has come through inefficient bans and multiple regulatory acts. Today's industry is regulated by the Gambling Act 2005, which is receiving a lot of criticism. This has made playing at casinos not regulated by GamStop the top choice for many British gamblers.

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