How was the game born in Europe? What is the most popular format these days and what are the prospects for casinos in the near future?
In the modern world, few people know that gambling appeared long before the civilized society we know. In ancient excavations, archaeologists still find dice made thousands of years before our era. According to scientists, at that time the cubes were not used for games, but for divination and all kinds of shamanic rituals.
The active development of European casinos and gambling traditions began in Italy during the Renaissance. In ancient Rome, a special gambling establishment called Circus, in which local residents could try their luck and play games for real money. This is how the first prototypes of modern land-based casinos began to appear.
In the 21st century, a segment of gambling such as online gambling is actively developing. More and more people are interested in playing slot machines or paid online casino, counting on big wins and rewards. The possibility of having a good time, while having a chance of winning, has made these establishments very popular with the population.
Gambling business development
The first offline casino in Europe appeared in Venice and was called Il Ridotto. It was originally intended that people visiting Venice’s famous carnival would play in the gaming club, but the institution’s popularity quickly changed direction. At Il Ridotto only wealthy ladies and gentlemen enjoyed themselves, and within its walls high stakes were made and big winnings were doled out. Even then, Il Ridotto had strict visiting rules, dictating to visitors how they should dress and behave in an institution.
At the beginning of the 18th century, gambling in Europe appeared in many countries. But at the end of the 19th century, severe sanctions were imposed on the gambling industry, significantly limiting its work, because of which the development of casinos in Europe came to a halt. Many gambling dens have been closed.
These days
The current system of legal regulation took shape in European countries mainly from 2005 to 2011. It was during this period that the main current legislative norms were formed and adopted. Today, the leaders of the European gambling market are Italy, Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands. The total gross income of these countries in 2019 was over 8 billion euros. This makes the gambling sector one of the most important not only in Europe, but also in the world. The indicators of recent years tell us about the growth trend in the field of gambling, especially for casinos and online betting.
The gambling business is beneficial for European states, since this type of activity is subject to high taxes, which contribute to the public treasury. Despite the many conflicting laws that restrict gambling in European countries, the number of casinos and people who want to gamble there is growing every year.
Perspective
In general, the growth potential of the gambling market in European countries remains high. Online gaming is particularly in demand right now. This is due to its availability for gamers: you can play anytime without leaving your home. Moreover, you can play even with a minimum deposit.
The market can grow rapidly if regulatory systems continue to improve, which will make the gambling industry attractive for businesses and players. The legalization of all segments and state control of this type of activity are key to the development of this sector and the transparency of its conduct.
