Gambling: History and Interesting Facts
Gambling: History and Interesting Facts

Gambling: History and Interesting Facts

Gambling dates back to the Palaeolithic period, even before the experts started writing history. Here are some brief facts:

  • The earliest 6-sided dice date to around 3000 BC in Mesopotamia. 
  • Gambling houses in China were common in the 1st millennium BC where nationals mostly placed bets on fighting animals. 
  • Dominoes and lotto games were widespread in the 10th century in China. 
  • In the 9th century AD, playing cards appeared in China, and it fast spread to other regions on earth.
  • Records indicate that gambling was prevalent in Japan by the 14th century.
  • Poker, which is one of the most popular card games, is said to have dated back to the 17th century, where it was derived from As-Nas, a popular Persian game. 
  • The Ridotto was the first-known casino that started operations in Venice, Italy, in 1638. 
  • For centuries, gambling was a huge recreational activity in Great Britain. In the past, horseracing, which was heavily regulated, was a favorite among gamblers. 
  • Gambling has also been huge in the USA for many centuries. For years, it has also been suppressed by law in many regions. Gambling was almost outlawed in the US by the 20th century making it an illegal activity. This is something that led to the growth of various criminal organizations. In the late 20th century, however, there was a relaxation of gambling laws. 

Now that you have a brief background on the history of gambling, let’s jump right into some of the most interesting facts about gambling.

Gambling and Sandwich – What’s the Link?

The sandwich was born in a casino- John Montagu, also known as “the fourth Earl of Sandwich,” was an avid gambler. He never let anything interrupt his gaming sessions from eating or bathroom breaks. In 1765, during one of Montagu’s extended card games, he told his servants that he wanted something to eat. Because he did not want something that needed both hands to eat, Montagu requested two slices of bread with some meat between them so that he could eat while playing; thus, the sandwich was invented. While some may argue the validity of Earl’s story, historians agree that the name of the tasty morsel did not go away. Europe was craving the sandwiches not long after this.

Who Invented the First True Slot Machine?

The first true slot machine was invented by Charles Fey, a car mechanic who invented the 1st true slot machine as a way of entertaining his customers as they waited for him to work on their vehicles. Fay invented the machine that featured 3 spinning reels and 5 symbols, i.e. a Liberty Bell, spades, diamonds, hearts, and horseshoes. He simplified the machine so that it could offer an automatic payout system. In this machine, 3 bells in a row produced the highest payoff which was valued at 10 nickels (50 cents). Today, slot machines have gone through a tremendous revolution allowing players to access different types without a problem. You can explore the slot machines as you play at Vulkan Bet casino online.

How FedEx Was Saved from Bankruptcy

FedEx is a well-known company that delivers billions of packages yearly. In 1973, Frederick Smith, the founder, turned to gamble in a bid to save his company from bankruptcy. During those desperate times, Smith flew to Vegas with the last $5,000 the company has. Smith risked the entire amount in a blackjack game. Although it was quite risky, it paid off, and he ended up with $27,000. The move saved Smith’s company and went ahead to earn FedEx its first profit 4 years later in 1976, and it has been successful since.

It’s Illegal for Monaco Citizens to Gamble in the Monte Carlo Casino

Monaco is a top gambling destination and a paradise for the super-rich. Monte Carlo is one of the most popular casinos in Monaco. It has all the fancy glitz and glamour that attracts high-end gamblers. For anyone to play in the casino, they must be able to afford it and not be a Monaco citizen.

It’s Almost Impossible to Land a Royal Flush

Landing a Royal Flush is one of the things that gamers dream of. Sadly, this will remain a dream for many because chances of landing the elusive royal flush are pretty slim. The odds are just one in 649,740. The odds imply that there are only 4 possible royal flushes in a deck and almost 2.5 million possible hands that can be dealt in a game of poker. This said, a person is more likely to win a royal flash than win the National Lottery Jackpot in the UK, whose odds are 1 in 45, 057, 474.