Gambling has been around for thousands of years. At different times, it has been a form of entertainment, a social activity, an elite pastime, or a marginal hobby. Today, casinos are a high-tech industry focused on comfort, safety, and gamification. Let's take a step-by-step look at how the culture of gambling has changed.
Ancient roots: from priests to commoners
The first forms of gambling appeared in ancient China and Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have found bones resembling dice dating back to 3000 BC. Even then, people were looking for opportunities to try their luck, whether in fortune telling or small-stakes gambling. These games had no clear rules but served as both entertainment and ritual.
Europe and the emergence of gambling houses
In Europe, gambling became part of court culture. In Italy, the first gambling houses, such as the Ridotto in Venice, were already operating in the 15th century. Only aristocrats had access to them. Games were played strictly according to established rules, with state control. In this way, casinos gained official status and ceased to be purely underground entertainment. By the 18th–19th centuries, gambling houses had spread throughout France, Germany and Monaco. A dress code was introduced, and gaming salons were furnished luxuriously to emphasise the status of the establishment. The culture of gambling became elitist.
America: a surge in popularity and the birth of Las Vegas
With the development of railways, gambling made its way to the United States. River casinos appeared on the Mississippi, followed by gaming saloons in the Wild West, where cowboys and adventurers played poker. In the 1930s, the state of Nevada legalised casinos, and Las Vegas began to flourish. At this time, the culture of gambling changed. Casinos became a symbol of the American dream: a person with little capital could become rich overnight. The emphasis shifted from status and elitism to mass entertainment.
The digital age: the online revolution
In the 1990s, the first online casinos appeared on the scene. The development of the internet and digital technologies made it possible to play without leaving home. At first, these were simple platforms with limited functionality, but by the 2010s, the interface, mechanics and security of online casinos had become comparable to real establishments. Bonus systems, tournaments, cashbacks and VIP programmes appeared. Online gambling became available not only on PCs but also on smartphones. This expanded the audience and lowered the ‘entry threshold’ for newcomers.
Modern culture: gaming as a service
Today, gambling is part of digital culture. Users choose casinos based on the convenience of the interface, payout speed, availability of a mobile version, licences and reviews. Brands such as SciBet have focused on transparency, modern technology and a fair approach to players. This is a new ethic in the world of gambling. Casinos now compete not only on the size of their jackpots, but also on UX design, quality of technical support, gamification, and cybersecurity.
The culture has changed — the thrill remains
Despite all the transformations, the essence of gambling remains the same: it is the desire to try your luck, experience thrills and, perhaps, win. It's just that now it has become part of the global digital economy and is available to everyone, anywhere, anytime.
