Whether you’ve been inside one, driven past it or seen pictures of it, you have an idea of what a casino is and what it holds inside of it. However, there are things that pictures and modern-day establishments won’t tell you. Luckily, we will. So here are 6 casino facts that you may not know.
1. They were first established in Italy
The first evidence of casinos dates back to 1638 in Venice. In fact, the word casino is derived from the Italian word “casa” which means home and can refer to other establishments as well.
While the likes of Las Vegas have taken on the tradition enthusiastically, the Italians are the ones that we need to thank for this experience.
2. The biggest slot machine win record still stands
While casino jackpots are often exorbitant amounts, the biggest slot wins to date is even more unbelievable – an impressive $39.7 million.
The win took place in Las Vegas when an unknown man bet $100 on a Megabucks slot machine at the Excalibur Casino. This record-breaking win is yet to be broken.
3. Playing poker could become a career
Many famous sportsmen and women have had to find something to do with their time when retiring, while many celebrities take on the world of poker simply because they can.
Charlie Sheen, Tobey Maguire and Matt Damon are just a few of them who have given poker a shot – and experienced the thrill of both winning and losing.
4. Slot machines date back to the 1880s
When gambling first began to materialise, table games were a standard, however, in 1887 the first slot machine was created.
The Liberty Bell may have been a basic game with a simple design, but it changed the world of gambling for good and has become a casino standard ever since.
5. Ever wondered how long the world’s longest poker game was?
Eight years. We all know that modern tournaments can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days – and a few months in extremely rare cases. The record of 8 years took place in 1881 when a game started in the basement of a theatre and went on to last a total of
eight years, five months, and three days. While there is a debate about the number of breaks taken by players, legend has it that they played 24 hours a day with the odd break in between.
6. Who was the biggest roulette loser?
Robert Maxwell lost £1.5 million in three minutes at the Les Ambassadeurs Club in Mayfair in the United Kingdom playing roulette.
How do you ask? Well, he tried to play three tables at the same time. Luckily, he was a multimillionaire so one would assume that he was able to recover from it.
The More You Know
The world of gambling is filled with stories, legends, and rich history. Next time you visit a casino, why not ask about the establishment’s history or interesting facts? You may be pleasantly surprised.
