Casinos have been around for centuries, and records of them have even been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. However in more recent times Italy has been at the forefront, with the Il Ridotto in Venice, arguably the world’s first gambling venue, opening its doors in the 1630s. Many of the classic games like blackjack and roulette have been around for centuries too but haven’t changed greatly in that time. What has changed and how has the Italian influence added to the industry?
Baccarat and Other Live Dealer Games
Baccarat is one of the most famous casino games with an Italian touch that’s now played all over the planet. Some sources suggest that it began to be played originally in Italy in the 15th century. While others think that baccarat was first played in France, the fact that the name comes from the corruption of the Italian word for zero is arguably the strongest sign that it has Italian origins.
Other popular table games like blackjack and roulette have equally long histories, which make it difficult to discover their true origins. For example, roulette was first played in France but it’s believed to be based on the Italian game known as biribi, which is played on a board with 70 numbers on it.
While they’re as popular as ever, the blurring of the line between these land-based casino and bingo games and online play has been one of the most notable advances of the last few years. This is done by streaming human dealers from a casino setting directly onto the screens of the people playing the games at home, giving the convenience and comfort of playing online combined with the excitement of a live table game.
Most internet casinos offer this type of game. The CasinoSmash.com website reports that PartyCasino, Casino Lab, and Genesis Casino are among the sites with live dealer games of baccarat, roulette, and more. They also offer welcome packages that make it easier for newcomers to start. Options in this respect include a 100% bonus up to $500 from PartyCasino and up to $1,500 in bonus funds from 888Casino.
Bingo is another gambling game that can be traced back to Italy, although it’s now more commonly played online or in specialist bingo halls rather than in casinos. The game known as Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia was played in 16th century Italy and the modern version of bingo appears to be heavily based on it, with changes made once it reached the shores of North America.
Slots Are Hugely Popular in Italy
Slots machines have been around longer than you might think, as German-born American Charles Fey created the Liberty Bell machine at the end of the 19th century. As with the table games we looked at earlier, the basic gameplay has remained similar to how it was at the beginning but new features have been added to give new ways of playing.
Most of the big advances have come from American casinos and developers, but slots are as popular in Italy as they are elsewhere in the world just now. In fact, there are said to be 400,000 video slot machines dotted across Italy, which is more than can be found in all of Nevada. This article on BusinessInsider.com suggests that the mafia may be involved and earning big profits from land-based slots since the industry became regulated.
Extra rounds, wilds, and other bonus features have continued to diversify the choice, from simple three-reel slots to more complex games with an array of bonuses. Popular slots with Italian themes include La Dolce Vita, Venice Carnival, and the mob-themed The Slotfather, while the Roman Empire and gladiators are also seen on many slots.
Looking ahead, we can expect new technology including virtual reality and augmented reality get used to improve the casino experience even further. Yet, the essence of these games and their popularity in Italy should remain the same as it’s always been.
