Long before the casino industry was built up in Vegas, the main destination for casino gamblers was Monte Carlo. Since 1865 the small principality has hosted the famous Monte Carlo Casino which, together with other casinos along the French Riviera, attracted European royalty, members of high society and many of the richest and most famous people in the world.

The Monte Carlo casino is open to high-stakes gamblers and budget gamers alike.  Regardless of a player's experience level or betting preference, the Monte Carlo casino tries to offer gaming options to suit everyone. That is, except for Monaco citizens who are forbidden, by law, from entering their country's casino property. Casino visitors must show their passports at the entrance – if any Monaco residents try to enter, they are turned away by casino security. Today, Monaco residents can legally play online slots for money and other casino games via the Internet.

That paradox is only one of the many little-known tidbits of gambling trivia. Interested in hearing more? Read on!

Early Casinos

The earliest casinos originated in Italy, in private houses which started to migrate to organized gambling venues in the 17th century. The word “casino” evolved from the Italian word "casa"  which means "house" in Italian. The term "casino came to describe different types of gambling establishments including summer houses and social clubs.

The first "casino" venue was the Il Ridotto which opened in 1638 in Venice.  According to historians, entrance to the Il Ridotto was limited to the upper classes. Patrons could enjoy dancing, gambling, live entertainment and dining at the Il Ridotto. Visitors were expected to behave according to specific norms, dress to the hilt and order from the menu. Il Ridotto paid a high tax on its income so, not surprisingly, it was supported by the government. The Church however strongly opposed its activities and the Il Ridotto was forced to close in 1774.

Poker

The longest poker game started in 1881 in Arizona and continued for 8 years. An estimated $10 million changed hands during that time. The game took place at the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, Arizona and ran in the basement. Many of the Old West’s most notable personalities participated, including George Hearst, Wyatt Earp, Diamond Jim Brady, Adolpus Busch,  Bat Masterson, and Doc Holliday. Buy-in was $1000. The game ended only when the Bird Cage's basement flooded and the Bird Cage theatre was forced to shut its doors.

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The Devil's Wheel

Some people call the roulette wheel "The Devil's Wheel". At some point, someone added up all the numbers on a European Roulette wheel (1 through 36) and discovered that the total is 666 – the New Testament's "Number of the Beast" based on the book of Revelation 13:18. That discovery led to the rumor that Francois Blanc, the man who brought the roulette wheel to Monte Carlo, made a deal with the devil to learn the secrets of the game.

By branding roulette as "The Devil's Wheel", anti-gambling activists seem to have thought that they could prevent people from playing. The ultimate question, though, is what about the American roulette wheel (37 pockets)? Well, that extra pocket is a 00, so the 666 total still stands.

Slots Symbols

Why did early slot machines feature symbols that included cherries, lemons and melons? The fruit symbols (which led to slots being called, in many areas of the world, "fruit machines") were a legal dodge aimed at deflecting the machines being targeted as gambling devices. To keep the machines spinning, manufacturers like the Bell-Fruit Gum Company started to pay out prizes in the form of fruit-flavored candies and chewing gum, with the symbols on the reels representing the flavor that you could win. The "BAR" symbol was originally the logo for that gum company.

Sandwich

The culinary delight that involves two pieces of bread holding a filling was conceived by Jon Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, who refused to leave the table for dinner during a 24-hour card game. He ordered his valet to bring him two pieces of bread with a piece of meat placed between the bread so that he could eat with one hand and keep his cards clean with the other. His friends began ordering "the same as Sandwich," and a culinary icon was born.

World's Smallest Casino

If you think your local card room is cramped, try the Grosvenor Travelling Casino which is located inside the back of a London taxi. The cab includes a gaming table, a dealer, a mini-bar, and a TV for sports betting. It travels around the UK, offering a private, mobile gambling experience for up to two people at a time.

Casino Charity

Vegas's Bellagio casino features a "Wishing Well" where people can toss their coins into the fountain and make their wish, knowing that the coins will be collected and donated to charity. Every few months, a specialized cleaning barge (effectively a giant underwater vacuum) harvests the coins. After being cleaned, the money is donated to local charities. Visitors toss approximately $12,000 per year into the 8.5-acre lake for good luck.

Oldest Lottery

The world's oldest lottery is believed to have originated in China 2000 years ago as a government scheme to raise money to build the Great Wall. The word "keno" seems to have Latin or French roots but in China, the game was called "baige piao or pai-ko p'iao" which means “white pigeon ticket.”

The Chinese played the game using sheets printed with the first 80 Chinese characters of the Thousand Character Classic. The winning numbers would be attached to carrier pigeons that flew to towns and villages in the district to announce the winners. Chinese immigrants to the West introduced Keno to the American continent where it remains a popular lottery game.

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