Frederick Jace
People tend to associate gambling with Las Vegas but Europe has more of a gambling history than America. Most casino table games started in Ancient Rome. It is definitely worth visiting some of the oldest casinos in Europe. They help to bring the history of gambling to life and give you a taste of what it was like to play there.
The Venice Casino
The Venice Casino was opened in 1638 and is considered the oldest casino in the world. When it first opened, it was a theater with a wing reserved for gambling. The place has an intricate charm with details such as the wooden doors and chandeliers still intact. By 1770, the casino was closed down due to the belief that it was impoverishing the local nobility. It was only brought back into commission in the 1930s.
Today, the casino sits on the Grand Canal in Venice and boasts modern technology and hundreds of ways to gamble. This includes slot machines and table games hosted by dealers in tuxedos. It is often home to Venice Film Festival events and people head there for some celebrity spotting.
People who can’t afford to visit all the grand old casinos still have the option of gambling online. They can use a USA casino app to gamble from the comfort of their homes and enjoy a variety of bonuses and games.
Casino de Spa in Belgium
In 1763, the Casino de Spa opened its doors to the first players. As the name suggests, it was built in an area with therapeutic thermal waters. Belgian aristocrats frequented the area. The casino was nearly destroyed in the First World War.
Most of the external walls were damaged by fire. After many years of restoration, the casino regained its former glory and underwent a complete renovation in the 1980s. Today, the Casino de Spa attracts many visitors, and its floor occupies 1,500 square meters. It offers all the amenities associated with contemporary gambling.
Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco
Finding a casino to play at in Europe isn’t difficult as most European cities have one. The Casino de Monte Carlo was opened in 1863 in an initiative by Princess Caroline. She wanted to save the ailing fortunes of the House of Grimaldi. Over the years, the casino went through a number of expansions and has become a gambling hub for Europeans. It sits on the mountain top overlooking Monaco and attracts many tourists. It is still one of the main sources of wealth for Monaco.
Kurhaus Wiesbaden Casino in Germany
The Wiesbaden casino is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the European gambling market. It is lauded in architectural circles for its neo-classical design and striking columns. Dostoevsky and Napoleon were both believed to have played at this casino.
The town of Wiesbaden with its curative thermal springs was a major tourist attraction in the 1700s. Visitors to the spa could also enjoy gambling activities. The small casino couldn’t accommodate the influx of tourists and in 1907 a larger gambling hall was built. Today, the casino is in the former wine hall of the Kurhaus. Visitors can enjoy 170 slot machines and table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker.
Salzburg Casino in Austria
The Salzburg Casino opened for the first time in 1934 and closed due to the Second World War four years later. It only re-opened again in 1950 and became a popular destination for gamblers. In 1993, it moved to Schloss Klessheim and more gambling opportunities were added. Today, the casino welcomes visitors from all over the world on a daily basis.
