Why the word “casino”?
Curious visitors sometimes ask us what the origin of the word “casino” is. Of course, we went to work to find out exactly that. What we discovered is that the word originated in Italy in the mid-nineteenth century. The funny thing is that it hardly matters any more in which part of the world you are… if you say casino, most people know immediately what you mean.
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The origin of the word ‘casino
Most people will probably think that casino is an English word. Ask any passer-by to name the most famous casino town and you’ll hear ‘Las Vegas’ (although Macau is not so far behind and is recently overtaking even world-famous Vegas). With Vegas being the place to go for a gamble, many people think that’s where the word casino comes from.
We go back further to 19th century Italy
Yet nothing could be further from the truth: casino, – both the word and what it stands for – have their origins nowhere less than in Italy. Take one part of the word casino and you get the Italian word cas(a), which means house. In the past, gatherings were organised in, yes, houses. These were country houses or garden houses, which mostly belonged to the prominent Italians. You could go there for fun, dancing and music or for a chat and a gamble.
Such a house where you could find all these cosy activities – and more – was called a casino. Nowadays, a casino is mostly about just one of these activities, namely gambling. However, casinos still do their utmost to provide fun as well. For, the more sociable a casino is, the longer visitors will stay.
The history of the casino
So, the name of our present-day casino comes from nineteenth-century Italy, where a form of the word house became casino (actually casinò), a house where one could have fun and gamble. The history of the casino or of various casino games, however, goes back further. As early as 1500, activities were organised which involved some degree of gambling. However, the Italian country houses where one could go for innocent entertainment were not always so innocent. They played with handmade playing cards and these cards contained pornographic images. It is possible that the stakes in these games were not limited to jewellery or a few coins. The word for brothel is still casino. From this we can conclude that in these garden or country houses, more took place than just some innocent entertainment.
Even further back in time
From traditions, we cannot exactly determine how games of chance were interpreted even longer ago. However, we can establish that forms of gambling were already taking place in the heart of the community. In the time of the Bible, we see an example of a dice game: soldiers played dice for the clothes of Jesus.
Depending on the time and location, people played outdoors or in certain buildings, such as schools, courts or hospitals. We have already discussed the Italian country houses above. In any case, gambling in the past was done in a slightly different way than today.
The first real casino
The very first real casino – in the form of today’s casino – is the still existing, still crowded and very famous Casinò di Venezia. This casino has been in existence since 1638. The classic and most famous casino games were offered here and in other casinos for a long time. Of course we are talking about:
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker games
- Baccarat
It was not until Charles Frey from America brought a fully mechanical slot machine onto the market that the range of games was expanded. Since this first slot machine, many other slot machines have followed.
The present of the casino
In today’s casino world, we know several types of casinos. Firstly, the land casino, which has existed for hundreds of years. Secondly, in recent years the online casino has emerged, with the most recent developments being the live casino and the mobile casino.
Nowadays we can log on to the internet and gamble online. We don’t have to go out to be entertained. There are numerous online casinos, each offering their own specific games. Of course, the classics are still offered, but they can now be played in even more forms than before.
For example, you can play roulette through a computer simulated game. You can also watch the action at a live table in the presence of a live croupier and with the help of various cameras. The latest developments even make it possible to visit an online or live casino with a mobile device. This way you can play your favourite casino game anytime, anywhere.
The Future of the Casino
What will the future of the casino look like? Who knows? With all the super-fast technical developments, things can go in any direction. Apps for tablets and smartphones are already available for download. That makes online gambling even easier and more fun. Where will this lead in the future? There is only one way to find out: by following the developments closely and by continuing to visit the offline or online casino.
FAQ about Why the word casino?
What is the origin of the word "casino"?
The word "casino" came from Italian and was used initially to describe a small country villa, summerhouse, or pavilion. In the 19th century, the term began to describe a public building used for gambling and other leisure activities.
When was the term "casino" first used to refer to a gambling establishment?
The term "casino" was first used to refer to a gambling establishment in the mid-19th century, when a casino was opened in the German spa town of Bad Homburg. The casino was so successful that it became a model for other European gambling establishments.
How did the word "casino" become associated with gambling?
The word "casino" became associated with gambling because many early casinos were built in European spas and resorts, where gambling was one of the leading leisure activities. As these casinos became more popular, "casino" became synonymous with gambling.
How has the meaning of the word "casino" evolved over time?
The meaning of "casino" has evolved to include gambling establishments and a wide range of other entertainment venues, including hotels, restaurants, and performance spaces. In modern times, the word "casino" is often used to describe any large entertainment complex that offers a variety of leisure activities.
What is the significance of the word "casino" in the gambling industry today?
The word "casino" remains an essential term in today's gambling industry, as it is often used to describe traditional brick-and-mortar casinos and online gambling sites. The word "casino" is also associated with a certain level of glamour and luxury, often used for marketing gambling establishments to potential customers.
