Amazing Casino and Gambling Facts

Welcome to some astonishing facts and thrilling tales from the history and present of the casino universe. Maybe you're a inquisitive reader or an aficionado for the best Minnesota casinos. Regardless, the following amazing facts might astonish you.

A Brief History of Casino Culture

The casino culture is rich and multifaceted. It includes the glamour and luxury of the world's most famous arenas, the professionalism of licensed croupiers, and the unwritten rules of etiquette in the casino. It's excitement, fantasy, risk, and reward — and, equally, smart strategy and psychological control.

Here are a few brief facts that highlight the early development of casino culture:

• The oldest known "casino" was in Ancient Rome in the 6th century.
• The official casino first opened in Venice in the 17th century.
• Music and dance were included in these original casinos, and there were strict dress codes.
• Initially, only the aristocrats were allowed to play.

As gambling became popular, casinos blanketed the face of France and beyond. Wherever there was prohibition of gambling, riverboat casinos were the norm. The 19th century saw legendary gambling destinations like Monaco and Las Vegas. Along the way, the casino world had some seriously crazy and memorable stories.

Fun and Crazy Facts About Gambling and Casinos

The myths and history of casinos are more unusual than reality. Take a look at these incredible facts you probably never knew:

1. A Nevada Prison Once Had a Casino for Inmates

Gambling is so widespread in Nevada that, for 35 years, the Nevada State Prison operated its own casino. Inmates could play poker, craps, blackjack and even make sports bets behind bars — until the warden shut it down in 1967.

2. The World's Smallest Casino Has No Address

Grosvenor Casino is the smallest in the world — and it's not in a building. It's housed in the back of a London black cab. Inside, a live dealer gaming table, a TV for watching sport, and even a mini bar.

3. Roulette Wheel Numbers Add Up to 666

You may have heard this and dismissed it as anti-gambling propaganda, but it's a fact. The numbers on a roulette wheel total 666 — the "Number of the Beast" described in the Bible. This creepy coincidence earned roulette the moniker "The Devil's Wheel."

4. Slot Machines Were Formerly Gum Dispensers

The fruit symbols on today's slot machines are derived from vintage slots, which really paid out fruit-flavored chewing gum. The fruit symbols depicted the gum's flavor, and they were left intact as a retro element in modern slots.

5. Largest Casino Jackpot Ever

The biggest casino jackpot in the history of all time was by a mysterious player at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. Having put down only a $100 bet on a Megabucks slot, they hit an astonishing jackpot of $39.7 million.

6. The Longest Poker Game Lasted Eight Years

At the Bird Cage Theatre, gamblers initially paid a $1,000 fee to play in an infamous poker game. It was open 24/7, around the clock, from 1881 until 1889. That's eight straight years of about 24-hour gambling.

7. Vegas Casinos Exploited Atomic Bomb Tests

This is crazy. In the 1950s, the U.S. Department of Energy was testing atomic bombs 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The explosions filled the sky and created mushroom clouds that were visible from the city. Casinos turned the experience into a marketing gimmick — they staged atomic parties, beauty contests, and even "atomic cocktails."

8. The First Vegas Casino License Was Issued to a Woman

The casino industry is not a boys' club. Mayme Stocker, another Las Vegas pioneer, was the first to receive an official casino license in Las Vegas. Her casino featured the only five sanctioned games at the time: bridge, lowball poker, stud poker, draw poker, and 500.

9. You Can Ban Yourself From Casinos

Addiction to casino games is no joke. In all but a few American states, you can have yourself banned from a casino voluntarily. Once you're added to the bar list, it's a criminal offense to enter. Bans are one year to five years, to a lifetime — your choice.

10. Responsible Gambling Is No Joke

It's incredible how many players ignore the necessity for responsible gaming.

It is essential to learn how the games of a casino work. For instance, online slot machines use random number generators (RNGs) to generate equal, random outcomes. No matter what myths or superstitions you may believe in, there is no "hot" or "cold" slot machine. Do not fall for the common fallacy that "if I keep playing, I'm sure to win eventually."

Smart players employ facts and strategy. They budget their funds, play within their limits, and — most critically — know when to quit. They don't make emotional or superstitious choices.

Self-awareness, responsibility, and familiarity with the games you play are what it takes if you wish to play like a pro.