Gambling has been around for almost as long as humans. It’s inherent for us since, as humans, we like the idea of risk and reward, which is perhaps the main reason why many people are addicted to gambling. But did you know that the first casino was built in 1638 as Casino De Venezia? It soon became a hotspot and is probably administered by organized crime.
However, as it grew in the 1950s, it moved away from organized crime and became a legitimate business. Back then, the casino was more for the wealthy people looking to flaunt their riches. Nowadays, casinos are meant for socializing and fun and are usually meant for regular people, although ultra-wealthy people still go occasionally. With all that said, let’s delve further into how casinos have changed over the decades.
Technology
As players have become more familiar with the games and how the casino works, casinos have to keep up to prevent players from exploiting them. They did this by incorporating technology. In the modern age, casinos have installed multiple cameras to monitor player activity in the vicinity. Previously, casinos have relied on floor managers to look for cheaters, but with the invention of CCTV cameras, they don’t need that much manpower for this task.
Another way that casinos have used technology is the chips. The chips, especially in major casinos, are fitted with RFID technology. This way, when chips are stolen, the thief can be identified easily, and they cannot exchange them for cash when they try to.
Increased Regulations
Casinos are businesses, so it’s only natural that they should also get a business permit, license to operate, and other certifications before starting their operations. Over the years, the process of registering casinos with the government has changed, but for the most part, it’s still the same. However, when it comes to the casino’s fairness, it seems that casino owners are more pressured to operate fairly and ethically as the years go by with stricter RTP application and staff ethics.
More Games
Modern casinos have more games nowadays than their previous counterparts. Of course, the staple ones are still there, like poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. However, there are also new online casino games, like Holy Mackerel, High Spin Race, Case Closed, etc. Not only that, but technology has also been incorporated into the classic games themselves.
A good example of this is slots. Slots nowadays are very different from their mechanical cousins. Nowadays, they’re more colorful and lively, and they even have pop culture icons as themes to relate more to people’s likes.
The Hotspots
Back then, there were only a few hotspots in the world, and you had to go on a vacation just to go to them. However, nowadays, there are many gambling hotspots you can go to, and when you’re in the US, there’s a good chance that you’re not too far away from one.
Due to restrictive laws on gambling in the mid-20th century, additional locations have been marked as new hotspots where gambling is legal, and people worldwide can go for a fun gambling experience. Locations like Vegas, Atlantic City, Monte Carlo, and many others in the US would attract the gamblers worldwide for a fun time.
The Online Shift
Online casinos have been here for quite some time, but it’s relatively new for many people. Online gambling itself was presented not long after the internet was introduced. However, because of the recent pandemic that resulted in brick-and-mortar casinos being closed indefinitely, many people turned to online casinos to fill their urges for gambling.
Because of its multiple conveniences, it’s no wonder that even though brick-and-mortar casinos have already opened in recent years, many people still opt to play in online casinos because of the experience it brings. With the same games and the same fun but with the added perk of being able to play in the comfort of your home, it’s not a mystery why online casinos are becoming increasingly popular nowadays.
Mobile Technology
Back then, you could only play online casinos with a computer. However, smartphones can now be treated as portable computers that can run mobile versions of computer applications, including online casino apps. Because of this, any person who has a smartphone can now play online casino games like FanDuel online blackjack or online poker with their phones. This is especially true nowadays, as most people now have smartphones and access to the internet. With this added convenience, online casinos have even become more popular.
Final Words
It’s hard to predict the future of gambling. Modern technology has played a huge part in gambling’s history. With volatile advancements, nobody can have an accurate guess of what will happen to the gambling industry in the future. However, with innovative technologies like AR, VR, and AI, there’s no doubt that online casinos will soon overshadow brick-and-mortar ones.
