For hundreds, if not thousands, of years, gambling has been a popular pastime for people in all corners of the world. The very first casino opened in Venice, Italy, in 1638, and since then, the casino craze has taken the world by storm. Naturally, different countries have developed their own variations of casino games and traditions. So, grab your passport and join us for a trip around the world to see some of the unique traditions other countries have surrounding casino gaming traditions .
England- gaming traditions
Before we board our flight, let’s take a look at gambling traditions in England. Lotteries took place in England as early as 1569 with thanks to Queen Elizabeth I. The earliest games involved dice and cards, but games of chance and Lotteries remained a popular way for Brits to gain immunity to petty crimes and find their way out of poverty. In the modern day, Lottery games are still popular, with the National Lottery, now known as Lotto being just one of the many games Britons love to play weekly.
America
Next up we’re travelling to America, where, prior to the 1800s, the Puritans distained gambling of any kind. English colonists still considered the games socially acceptable, and Lotteries were run by the British crown as a way to fundraise for the government and boost the economy. When the United States (US) declared independence, the British government could no longer enforce its control on their gambling activities.
After the 1800s, US states have changed their perspectives on gambling several times, and the Great Depression encouraged many states to reinstate gambling in an attempt to boost the economy. In the modern day, the Las Vegas Strip plays host to some of the world’s most famous casinos, and Americans are known for their love of games like Poker and Blackjack, due to the element of control these games of chance seem to offer. Americans also enjoy their own version of the Roulette wheel, which hosts two zero pockets – a single and double zero – enjoying the higher house edge, in comparison to European Roulette, and riskier gameplay.
Australia- gaming traditions
In Australia, Lotteries and scratch cards are the most popular forms of gambling, alongside table games and electronic gaming machines such as Slots. There are many casinos scattered throughout the country, and the most beloved Poker gaming machines, known as Pokies, can be found in bars, restaurants and many other venues throughout Australia.
Japan
Over in Japan, the game of Pachinko reins as the most popular pastime. Pachinko is a pinball-type game that’s played with multiple balls. The aim of the game is to score as many balls as possible, as these can be exchanged for prizes. In Japan, players don’t gamble to win cash. Instead, they gamble to win tokens or certificates that can then be used to claim prizes. Pachinko parlours are common throughout Japanese culture, but other popular forms of gambling in Japan include Mahjong, boat, bicycle and horse racing, and soccer pools.
Pachinko isn’t actually considered gambling in Japan, as no cash is won directly from the games, so technically sports betting is Japan’s favourite form of betting.
Italy
Back to where many of the games we know and love were birthed, and where the very first casino stands, Italy’s history with gambling is rich, and can be dated back to the Roman Empire. Italians have been known to enjoy betting on horse races and sporting events, but never stopped playing cards, rolling dice and betting on other games of chance. Games like Backgammon sit firmly in the hearts of Italian gamers, but since 2006 betting on sports has become more popular, with Italy now serving as the largest European gambling market.
