Arguably, casino games are one of the earliest forms of entertainment. From ancient Greeks and Romans spinning swords, shields and chariot wheels whilst making bets and predictions on the outcome, to the modern technological advancements taking the gaming industry by storm, it’s clear that many classic casino games have stood the test of time, spinning into the hearts of many players for centuries.
Join us as we travel back in time, taking a look at how casino games have evolved over time, and what exactly it is that makes them so popular…
The early days
The very first playing cards first appeared in Europe in the 1370s, but are said to have first originated in China, centuries before this. The earliest cards were hand-painted and reserved for the wealthy, but became more commercialised in the 1860s when mass production could begin in England.
It was in the early 17th century that classic card games like Blackjack started to appear in French casinos, and games like Roulette had already risen in popularity. A primitive version of the wheel was created in 1655 by accident, and with the help of two French brothers called Francois and Louis Blanc, the European wheel spun into the hearts of many players – and casinos – across the globe.
The rise of super casinos
During the early 1900s, one of the world’s casino capitals – Las Vegas, began its rise to fame, revolutionising the casino industry. It was thanks to the building of the Hoover Dam that workers sought out a place to rest and gamble, and when the mobsters of the time caught wind of the business idea, the 1940s saw the opening of the first hotel casino resorts: the super casinos.
What later became known as the Las Vegas Strip was dripping in lights and glamour, and this became ever-present when Hollywood stars began not only headlining shows, but flaunting their fame and fortune in some of the most lavish venues.
For many years, the popularity of casino gaming increased further, with venues not only offering a variety of games, but shopping centres, pool complexes, bars, restaurants and so much more.
Enter the internet…
January 1st 1983 is considered the official birthdate of the Internet. This paved the way for the first online casino site to open in 1996. Games like Blackjack and Roulette were available to play online, with a Random Number Generator (RNG) ensuring gameplay remained fair and fun, as for the first time ever, the games could be played against a computer, from the comfort of your own home.
But at this time, not many people had access to a computer, and it wasn’t until the mid-2000s, when smartphones began to become a staple, that online casino games could level-up; live casino style.
The modern day
The concept of live casino gaming had been around before technology could cater to the idea, but when smartphones landed in everyone’s pockets, the demand for greater bandwidth and faster internet speeds meant that real-life dealers could be streamed from a specialist studio, straight to any device, anywhere you had internet access.
In the modern day, an average of 80% of online players enjoy live casino games – experiencing all the classics, and more, in real-time.
RNG games still remain popular, and new mechanics constantly revolutionise the industry. Even land-based venues have become sleeker and more glamourous, using modern technology for things like facial recognition to keep gameplay fair, fun and safe for everyone.
And as for the future of casino games, they’re bound to evolve yet again, but as for how, only time will tell…