Gambling is part of the entertainment of people for many hundreds of years; because formerly, they used any unknown or unpredictable event to make bets based on them, where they exchanged or exchanged valuable objects. With the passing of time, designated places were established, solely and exclusively for enjoyment and leisure from gambling, which was called a casino.
However, there is so much attraction that these sites generate, either by its large dimensions, its decoration, noise, or by the large number of games and machines, which are often left aside all the stories and interesting things that happen within the facilities or as a product of the games. For this reason, in the content that follows, some curiosities of the casinos and their games that surely many are unaware of will be counted.
The emergence of the word casino
The word casino, emerged as a diminutive of an Italian word assigned to the houses of fields, where formerly the nobility met to devote hours to games and entertainment. Subsequently, the concept of these recreational houses expanded into urban land, where the same name was maintained.
The abrupt growth of the ludic industry in the United States
Initially, in the United States there were only two states that concentrated the largest number of casino establishments or gaming houses, such as New Jersey and Nevada; however, from 1979 to 2014, this industry grew in such a way that casinos are now found in 40 states of the country. In this sense, apart from the 200 operations that are only located in Nevada, the country has a number of casinos that exceed 700 stores, where the most important facilities belonging to the Indian tribes are also added.
Likewise, this industry has received aid and collaboration in the first instance from the states through subsidies. During the first steps of the expansion of the games, the jurisdictions with casinos subjugated the tax revenues of the states that did not have casinos; this was due to the fact that a large part of the inhabitants of the states that did not have places to play at random, moved to the casinos of the adjacent places. Likewise, the industry received from the state, the license to operate at a lower price than it really corresponds.
The complete tables are the preferred ones
It is really curious to notice that experienced players prefer to play at tables that are crowded with people. This is because the more people there are at a table, the game will flow more slowly and therefore, the amount of time available to evaluate each move will be greater.
Cozy atmosphere with a difficult to find the exit
The casinos, through their designs and decorations, seek to make customers immerse themselves in a pleasant and safe environment, which is totally contradictory to what is found on the street. Similarly, the machines have sounds that constantly give the feeling that prizes are distributed and there are people winning; which invites the players to stay inside the premises.
Another curiosity that the casinos have is that they strategically locate the exit of the venue in a place of difficult access. In this sense, customers must travel the labyrinthine routes of the structure to locate it; in this way, they are practically obliged to discover all the machines and gaming tables that are located inside the casino. The same tactic applies with the location of the bathrooms.
No windows and watches
On the other hand, another interesting fact about the structure and the design of the casinos is that in them it is very difficult to find objects, such as windows and clocks, which can give evidence of the passage of time. This is because, the fewer distractions the players have during their games, the greater the hours they will dedicate to the games, translating this as profits for the company.
First online casino
In 1994, the General Directorate of gambling was formed in Antigua and Barbuda, and from then on, pages that carried out online transactions began to appear; however, it was in 1996 when the first online casino appeared. Likewise, the company Microgaming created a technology that protects the transactions that were made by this means, with what was born the so-called InterCasino, which served as a guide from that moment.
Gambling
The gambling addiction is a disorder related to the addiction that some people present to the game, spending their money in an excessive and irresponsible way, to the point that it ends up destroying itself and the people close to it. Although it is a percentage that is unknown exactly, it is estimated that 5% of individuals who play in casinos, end up being gamblers.
Average customer losses
In casinos, the average loss per visit of convenience players (visitors from other places to the nearest casino) is estimated to be approximately $80. Near 75% of the income that the casinos receive, it is produced from the slot machines and the most popular table games such as dice and poker. Contrary to popular belief, the biggest gamblers are not the ones who make the most money at the casino, but the slot machines with denominations of 5, 10 and 25 cents.
Other curiosities of the casinos
- In all the casinos, you will always find waitresses touring the whole place offering free drinks; in this way, the effects generated by alcohol on people are used as a strategy.
- The Casino Spa, in the town of Valona, in Belgium, was built in 1763 and is the oldest casino of all.
- Online casinos have higher profits compared to land-based casinos, for this reason, bonuses are very common in them.
- Roulette is known as “The Devil’s Game” because the sum of all the numbers that make it is equal to 666.
While most eyes turn West regarding gambling meccas, the Eastern horizon holds its magnetic allure. Macau, a gem of a city nestled in China’s arms, has made a titan’s leap in the casino world, etching a mark that overshadows even the glittering Las Vegas. Believe it or not, since 2007, the gaming revenue has tipped in Macau’s favor, transforming it into the world’s casino heartland, a majestic fusion of East and West. Isn’t that something? VIP gaming rooms add a sheen of exclusivity, attracting high-rollers from across the globe.
It’s not just the landscape that’s different. In Asia, the games of choice diverge from their Western counterparts. Poker, blackjack – these Western staples find themselves nudged aside in favor of Sic Bo, Pai Gow, Baccarat, and others. Intriguingly, the ancient veins of superstition run deep here, guiding gamblers’ hands from how they bet to the architectural marvels of the casinos.
Now, let’s talk chips. Oh, not the kind you eat! Casino chips, an indispensable part of the gambler’s arsenal, serve as the de facto currency. Their existence stems from the nineteenth century, primarily to prevent fraudulent activities and simplify money management. Yet, over time, these humble tokens have morphed into advanced pieces, wielding RFID technology to safeguard their journey and authenticity.
An often overlooked yet pivotal role they play is psychological. Chips, bearing no resemblance to traditional currency, blur the perception of real-world value. Could this make gamblers more daring in their wagers? Possibly so!
Propelling us forward, technological leaps have reshaped what it means to gamble. Picture this: Casinos built on blockchain foundations, radiating unprecedented transparency and security. Virtual and augmented reality’s advent has flung the doors open for hyper-immersive online gambling experiences. To mirror the rush of a physical casino, they conjure a virtual realm pulsating with thrill and anticipation—a glimpse into the future. The arena of casinos, ever-evolving, promises a thrilling ride ahead. Buckle up!