Casinos have quickly become an essential element of global entertainment culture, delighting visitors worldwide with intricate designs and grandiose structures that captivate visitors from every walk of life. But their industry has also been plagued with cheating scandals and fraudulent practices.
Casino history is rich with intrigue. From backroom gambling in saloons to world-renowned entertainment destinations, its development has been captivating.
Origins
Casinos have an illustrious and longstanding history that dates back centuries in China and Rome where gambling was a popular pastime. Later, casinos appeared across Europe where people came both to gamble and socialize.
Europeans began using the term ‘casino’ to refer to gambling houses during the 17th century. One of the first modern-style casinos opened in Venice in 1638, providing citizens a safe way to gamble within an regulated environment.
Casinos first gained popularity in America during the 1800s, first popping up in mining towns before expanding onto the Mississippi River. Casinos provided a range of gaming opportunities such as poker, roulette and blackjack – as well as entertainment such as opera performances or Cirque du Soleil shows in 19th-century America and Cirque du Soleil performances today.
Games offered
Casinos provide the ideal venue for wagering on the outcome of events or just relaxing and socializing with great food and company, offering plenty of gambling games as well as traditional table games that have been enjoyed for centuries by both gamblers and non-gamblers alike. Some casinos even boast ghostly legends or paranormal activities attributed to them, leading to ghost sightings or paranormal experiences. On This Planet Betting Guides (OLBG) takes you on an international journey that explores some of the world’s most beloved casinos and their games. From Venice to Monaco, these casinos have made an indelible mark on the gaming industry. Offering everything from high-stakes to low-limit gambling options, we will take you through an array of gambling possibilities. Read on to discover some of the world’s most iconic casino games – they may surprise you!
Scandals
One of the most captivating aspects of casinos is their long and storied history of scandal and cheating, often making headlines around the globe.
60 Minutes reported in 2019 on employees at Crown Resorts who were illegally recruiting high-rolling Chinese customers into Australia’s casinos using junket operators services, violating law and incurring millions in losses to Crown.
Among the more notorious casino scandals was that of MIT Blackjack Team, which operated from the 1970s until the 1990s and used scientific card counting techniques to scam casinos out of millions of dollars.
Stardust Hotel and Casino of Las Vegas were accused of skimming profits during the 1970s by taking an undisclosed percentage before recording it officially on their books. This led to employees taking a portion of profits prior to being officially recorded on books.
Controversies
Casinos have long been seen as places of luck and chance, yet also controversy and scandal. Over time, some famous casinos have garnered notoriety through tales of cheating or criminal behavior that will forever remain in the minds of audiences worldwide.
Criminals resorted to anything from rigging machines to counting cards as ways of making millions; unfortunately, they paid with jail cells being their fate.
Tommy Glenn Carmichael stands out as an example. His decade-long scheme involved using devices such as “monkey’s paw” and a light wand to manipulate slot machines and earn millions in profits.
Future trends
There are various trends that will have an effect on the casino gaming industry in the near future, including technological innovations and shifting consumer tastes. Furthermore, this industry is expanding quickly across developing nations where new wealth is flowing into casinos.
Use of social media for casino game promotion is another significant trend, helping improve brand recognition and player engagement while enabling them to interact with fellow gamers and compete in tournaments. Other noteworthy innovations in the casino industry are expanding online gambling services and using cryptocurrency transactions – which promise a brighter future for this sector of industry.
