First Casino: Ridotto

The casino industry, as opulent and varied as it is today, has humbler beginnings that trace back to the alleys of Venice. The Ridotto Casino, the world’s first official casino, offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of organized gambling.

Situated in the bustling heart of Venice in the 17th century, the Ridotto Casino opened its doors in 1638, becoming the world’s first state-sanctioned public gambling house. In a time when gambling was mostly an unregulated activity, the establishment of Ridotto marked the beginning of controlled and organized gambling.

History of the Existence

Initially created by the Venetian government to provide a regulated environment for gambling during the city’s famed carnival season, the Ridotto flourished and quickly gained popularity. The government saw it as a means to control gambling activities, but also as an added source of revenue.

However, as the years progressed, the glamour and allure of Ridotto started to wane. Critics, many of whom were from the city’s aristocracy, viewed the establishment as a societal vice, claiming it exploited the vulnerable. By the 18th century, these voices grew louder, eventually leading to the casino’s decline.

Requirements for Casino Players

The Ridotto was not a place for everyone. It primarily catered to the elite and affluent classes of Venice. Entrance required a specific dress code: men adorned themselves in three-cornered hats and masks, ensuring anonymity in a society where reputation was paramount. While women were less frequent visitors, when they did attend, their attire was dictated by the fashion and status of the time. Today the dress code is simpler, because to play you just need to register on the spelet kazino online website and immediately there are a lot of the best gambling games in the public domain.

Variety of Games

Ridotto’s main attractions were games like ‘Biribi’, resembling a lottery, and ‘Bassetta’, a popular card game of the time. These games, deeply rooted in Venetian culture, attracted numerous patrons. Fast forward to today, spelet kazino online offers a wide range of games, often numbering in the hundreds, ranging from slots, blackjack, poker, roulette and countless themed games, ensuring that players always have a variety of choices.

Origin of the Name “Ridotto”

“Ridotto” is derived from the Italian word meaning “reduced” or “private.” The name aptly described the establishment’s intent: to provide a private and more intimate space for gambling, compared to the chaotic and unregulated street gambling prevalent in Venice.

Venice Casino Final

The demise of the Ridotto came in 1774 under the leadership of Doge Pietro Loredan. Succumbing to societal pressure and concerns about the moral implications of gambling, the government decided to shut down the establishment, marking the end of the world’s first official casino.

Conclusion

The legacy of the Ridotto Casino serves as a poignant chapter in the vast annals of gambling history. While its existence was relatively short-lived, its impact remains profound. Ridotto paved the way for the modern casino industry with spelet kazino online, a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with gambling.