Games of chance have been present all throughout history. From dice being used in Ancient Egypt and card decks dating back to China before AD1000, to Roulette-type games being played by Ancient Greek and Roman soldiers.
Many of the games as we know them date back centuries, and slot games are no different. From the first machines making their debut in 1984, to the Livescore online Slots we can play in the digital age – here’s your guide on how casino gaming has evolved…
The first deck of cards
Invented by the Chinese before AD1000, playing cards reached Europe through Egypt around 1360.
The earliest playing cards were said to be hand-painted, and whilst the printed cards we know today have roots in many countries and traditions around the world, it was the early 15th century that saw the idea of four suits emerge.
These were initially Swords, Clubs, Cups and Coins, and were believed to have originated from Tarot cards.
In 1440, the printing press bought about advancements in the manufacturing of playing cards, helping to make them more accessible.
Throughout the years, cards have continuously been used to aid in even the earliest games of chance.
Roulette and Blackjack
Arguably, two of the most popular table games, Roulette and Blackjack, both originated around the 17th century in France.
The 18th century saw Blackjack become more widespread throughout America, where it could be found in the legalised gaming halls in New Orleans in 1820. At this time, the game was still known as Twenty-One, and wouldn’t be donned ‘Blackjack’ until the 20th century, thanks to a temporary promotion in the popular land-based casinos in Nevada.
Roulette took a slightly different path. Variations resembling the game of chance have been played throughout history, but it was in the 18th century that Blaise Pascal accidentally invented the wheel in his search for a perpetual motion machine.
From then, the invention of European Roulette helped the wheel gain popularity, and it became one of the first games in what was known to be the modern casino of the time – the Monte Carlo Casino.
Slot machines
Slot machines are another classic form of casino gaming. The first coin-operated slot machine was invented by Charles Augustus Fey in San Fransico in 1894. Known as the Liberty Bell, this machine was unpatented and became the basis for many land-based slot machines for years to come.
Eventually, as technology developed, so did the games, with electromechanical Slots taking the stage in 1975, shortly after the first popular electric gambling machine in 1934 – an animate horse racing machine.
The introduction of video Slots wasn’t far behind, with the first online casino sites paving the way for digital gaming between 1994 and 1996.
Online casinos
The late 90s and early 2000s saw huge technological advancements. The Internet had just been born and smartphones were in production. The introduction of smartphones and the need for more than one household computer demanded greater bandwidth and faster internet speeds, which, in turn, allowed online casino games to become smoother and more accessible to those who wished to play.
Graphics improved and developers were able to create more games – expanding from the classic table, card and slot games, into live casino games and themed variations we know today.
And, with technology ever evolving, who knows what lies in store for the online casino industry? Developers are certainly aiming to keep up with the evolutions of the digital age, that’s for sure.