The bustling casinos of modern-day Italy continue to attract locals and foreigners from around the world, significantly contributing to the country's economy. Although some countries may consider gambling a vice, in La Repubblica Italiana, it's always been part of the culture.
Italy's gambling legacy dates back to the days of the Roman Empire, with the first-ever game recorded in Venice in the 12th century. Three of the most popular games (Baccarat, Roulette, and Bingo) originated in this country.
In this article, we will explore the history of gambling in Italy and how it has evolved over the last few centuries. Read until the end, as we will also discuss its impact on the country.
Let's get started!
The gambling that you see today in Italy and around the world is not what it used to be in ancient times. There were no live casino Bitcoin games or interactive slot machines to keep you entertained.
The Pre-Roman Era has had a major influence on modern-day gambling in Italy. Back then, the government introduced certain entertainment activities to revitalize the country.
People would openly engage in different types of games while placing wagers in a bid to make good fortune. At the time, there was no paper money, and people would gamble with gold, silver, livestock, food, and other things.
During the Roman Empire, gambling activities turned into organized establishments that offered people a space to partake in various games, including "Tesserae" and "Duodecim Scripta."
Ridotto was the first place of its kind where rich people would come to gamble and socialize. Games, such as Biribi and Bassetta, were pretty common, and wealthy Italians would risk high stakes as a means to flaunt their wealth.
As Christianity spread across the country in the 17th century, a certain perception about gambling started to build. The Church and religious authorities deemed these types of activities as morally questionable, using their influence to regulate and discourage them.
However, despite the efforts of the Church and religious authorities, gambling continued to be a part of the country's culture. Ridotto would pay the government "sanction" money to ensure that the business continued to operate until its closure in 1774.
This played a key role in the growth of gambling clubs across Italy, which were later referred to as "casinos."
You can trace the origins of Baccarat back to Italy. It was around the 1400s when the game slowly gained popularity because it was fun and easy to play.
Baccarat consisted of two players, each having two to three cards. When ready, they would divide the total cards by 10. The winner would be the one with the highest number. These are the same rules that modern-day casinos follow today.
Although the French invented the Roulette game, there is no denying that Biribissi from Italy was a major inspiration for it. The basic rules involved players choosing a number and placing their wagers on it while the banker drew a ticket with a lucky number.
Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia started to gain popularity around 100 years later. It is similar to bingo, with many experts believing that the Italian predecessor could be one of the major inspirations for the game.
Although lotteries were completely legal in the country, the government introduced a law in 1929 that banned gambling activities in Italy.
However, soon after, there were amendments to the legislation that made a clear differentiation between sports betting and games of luck.
Due to the possible negative effects of gambling activities on the people, the government made it illegal to gamble until 2006. There were further amendments made to the existing legislation that legalized real-money skill games and betting exchanges.
Over the last decade, perceptions about gambling activities among citizens have slowly changed, and people have become more accepting of it.
With artifacts and books dating back to ancient times, it’s clear that Italy and its people have had a long relationship with gambling. Today, it continues to have a profound impact on the country's society and economy.
With the development of luxurious casinos and resorts all across Italy, the country is collecting more tax revenue than ever before. In 2021, casinos paid more than 8 billion euros in taxes and generated tens of thousands of jobs (directly and indirectly).
Throughout Italian history, you'll notice a bizarre relationship between betting and art, with many painters depicting gambling scenes in their works.
When you see paintings, such as Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's "The Cardsharps" and "Cheaters," you'll understand the significance of gambling and how it's woven into the country's culture.
Since ancient times, gambling was a way for the wealthy to flaunt their wealth and socialize with people of the same class. It became a means of bonding with others, sharing experiences, and forming meaningful connections.
As more and more gambling houses started to open in Italy, it became an activity not just for the rich but for anyone who had enough money to have fun.
Today, you'll see many groups of people in Italy who like to sit around the table, play a couple of card games, and share a few laughs.
Since the rise of the Church in the 17th century, religious people have been preaching to the masses about how gambling was a vice. This ideology started to slowly change people's perceptions, which eventually led to legislation that put an end to such activities in Italy.
The government believed that such activities had a negative impact on the country's population. However, the ban led to an increase in organized gambling led by the Italian mafia.
Over the years, there were many amendments made to the legislation, and in the 20th century, the government legalized gambling activities across the country. This was done to attract more tourists and also help curb the activities of the mafia.
Today, the country promotes responsible practices through different initiatives. There are many treatment centers across Italy, and non-profit organizations are launching educational campaigns that highlight the importance of protecting children from online gambling.
Studying the history of gambling in Italy is fascinating, and it gives you a glimpse into the complexities of human nature. Today, games played in modern casinos around the world take inspiration from the entertainment activities introduced by the Roman civilization.
