Luckily for us, we have never known a time when casinos didn’t exist. In the modern-day, it can be hard to imagine a world without them. But there was a time in our history when there was no such thing. With many of the world’s original casinos still open today, we have comprised a list of five of the oldest.
If you fancy visiting one of the world’s oldest casinos to play a game or two of your favourites, rather than logging onto Griffon Casino, for example, then read on to find out more about the casino establishments that have stood the test of time.
- Casino di Venezia
First opening its doors in 1638, Casino di Venezia is the world’s oldest casino. Located in San Moise, Venice, the venue flourished despite regulations, but was forced to close in 1774.
The renaissance style architecture stands proudly along the Grand Canal in Venice and can be best reached by water taxi and gondola. It once served as a home from home for Europe’s elite.
The city of Venice purchased the land in 1946, before renovating and reopening the casino a decade later.
- Casino de Spa
The Casino de Spa in Belgium, was originally built in 1763 but was destroyed in the First World War, with the majority of the external wall ruined beyond repair. The casino was rebuilt in 1918, and in the 1980s, it was completely renovated.
- Kurhaus Casino of Baden-Baden
Designed in the mid-1820s, the Kurhaus Casino of Baden-Baden is located on the outskirts of the Black Forest, near the German border with France. In the 1830s the casino generated an international reputation thanks to a gambling ban within France.
Today, the casino is still open and welcomes players through its doors.
- Casino de Monte Carlo
A famous gambling destination, the Casino de Monte Carlo opened its doors in 1856 and is allegedly said to have been the idea of Princess Caroline of the House Grimaldi, as a way to prevent the state from going bankrupt.
In 1863, the casino moved to new grounds and has hosted some of Europe’s most eligible and affluent gamers over the years. Not only this, the casino itself has played the perfect setting in some Hollywood films including Golden Eye and Casino Royale.
- The Golden Gate Casino
Originally called Hotel Nevada, the Golden Gate Casino first opened its doors in 1906, and is still in operation today. Found within the famous gambling destination of Las Vegas, just a few years after opening, Hotel Nevada came under pressure when gambling was outlawed in 1909. To get around this, the hotel got away with hosting small games, with little to no stakes. It wasn’t until 1931 that the ban was lifted and casino games were made legal once more in the state of Nevada. The venue rebranded and renamed itself Sal Sagev, which is Las Vegas backwards, but the name didn’t stick so was renamed once again, this time to the Golden Gate Casino.
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