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Betting and gambling have existed for thousands of years in countless forms, from betting on who will be the winner in a life or death battle, to primitive dice games. However, it was the arrival of the casinos that truly institutionalized these activities, allowing the most popular games today to have rules that are well known to all and which can also exist in different places in a legal and regulated manner.

Early Beginnings

It would be almost impossible to define when betting actually began, but the first records of games of chance date back to China in 2300 BC, as Chinese tiles from these years refer to bets and games of chance of that time. Although sports betting and games of chance were popular hobbies for all civilizations throughout history, no particular building had ever been designated for this activity until 1638, when the City Council of Venice founded the (still existing) Casino di Venezia so that all activities in this area were performed in an organized manner via regulations. Between the 18th and 19th centuries there was a boom in casinos in Europe and the construction of several of these establishments in several German cities and in the city of Monte Carlo, where the extravagance and luxury of its casinos quickly made it the capital world of gambling and betting.

The City of Sin

So, how did Las Vegas, an oasis in the middle of the American desert, manage to become the center of gambling, poker, blackjack and sports betting in the world? Well, at the beginning of the 20th century and despite the North American prohibitions on alcohol consumption and gambling, you could find casinos and taverns in the most unimaginable places where the people of the city of Las Vegas would go after work. When the bans were lifted, Las Vegas was already the center of all these activities, which gave the gaming industry in this area a strong advantage. The first legal casino in Las Vegas was established in 1941 and it became instantly famous as it had a hotel, swimming pool and a wide variety of gambling and slot machines.

Modern Days

As a complement to the game rooms around 1950, musical activity was incorporated into the offer, then theatrical activity, and the circus has now been incorporated as well. The famous Cirque du Soleil has regular shows in Las Vegas. At the end of the 20th century, and after the casinos’ turbulent history and clashes with mafias and gangsters, the focus of Las Vegas casinos changed. Casinos on the Strip were bought by industry tycoons and converted into incredible, multimillion dollar gaming complexes we know today as mega-casinos, whose luxuries far outstripped the traditional establishments and would quickly become the symbol of Las Vegas. The rest, of course, is history.

Online Casinos

Since the Internet connection became available to almost everyone at the beginning of the 21st century, many developments and innovations have vastly expanded the diversity of activities and services offered virtually. One of them is gambling and sports betting, whose number of users grows faster every year due to the great convenience of playing and betting remotely. Gambling and sports betting is a well-studied and interesting sociological phenomenon that has been observed in many cultures throughout human history. As the very expression of humanity, its manifestations have evolved along with the particular events of each culture and country. And the best thing is that now you don´t even have to move from your sofa in order to place a bet or play you favorite game of chance. For instance, at the best online roulette for Arab gamblers in 2022, you can play American Roulette from a few dollars or enjoy European Roulette with a lower house edge. You will only find safe and trusted roulette sites and you even have the possibility to play for free with bonuses to learn the ropes and then join top sites to play for real money.

In conclusion, nowadays the industry of games of chance is one of the most thriving, but we will have to see what the future holds for humanity to know how casinos will adapt to the new realities that will come.

Las Vegas is actually a city known for its grandeur and extravagance. From the imposing structures of its casinos to the dazzling displays of wealth on The Strip, there’s no shortage of opulence to be found in Sin City; but few people truly know that one of the city’s most iconic attractions – roulette – has a surprisingly humble origin story.

This blog post will explore the history of this classic gambling game and how it came to be a mainstay in Las Vegas casinos. So pack your bags and join this trip down memory lane!

When was it invented?

The game is actually believed to have originated in 17th century France, although there are other theories about its origins. Regardless of its true origins, roulette quickly became a popular gambling game in Europe. It wasn’t long before it made its way across the Atlantic to the United States, where it truly took on a life of its own.

The first recorded instance of roulette being played in America was in New Orleans in 1829. From there, the game spread up the Mississippi River and into the Midwest. By the late 19th century, roulette was a fixture in most American casinos.

The rise of Vegas 

Roulette’s popularity in Las Vegas can be traced back to the city’s early days as a gambling mecca. In the 1930s and 40s, Las Vegas was known as a colorful and vibrant place where people came to have fun and let loose. The city’s casinos were filled with games of chance, and roulette was one of the most popular. Thanks to its easy-to-understand rules and exciting gameplay, roulette quickly became a casino staple in Sin City.

Over the years, roulette has undergone some changes in Las Vegas, with you now being able to search for online roulette real money games. In the early days, the game was actually played with a wheel that had 37 numbers – 1 through 36, plus 0. Today, most Vegas casinos use a wheel with only 38 numbers (1 through 36, plus 0 and 00), which gives the house a slightly higher edge.

Another change is that in the past, all roulette wheels in Las Vegas were manually operated. Nowadays, most are automated.

Roulette today

Roulette is still truly one of the most popular games in Las Vegas casinos. Thanks to its super simple rules and exciting gameplay, it’s easy to see why! Whether you’re a veteran player or trying the game for the first time, there’s no shortage of fun to really be had at the roulette table.

Roulette’s popularity is linked to the growing popularity of online casinos. All you have to do now is search online and you’ll be met with a plethora of options to choose from. This convenience was unheard of even a decade ago but thanks to the power of the internet, you can now enjoy all your favorite casino games from the comfort of your own home. So what are you waiting for? Grab a seat at the virtual table and get ready for some fun!

Conclusion

Roulette is a classic casino game with a long and storied history. Its popularity in Las Vegas can be traced back to the city’s early days as a gambling mecca. Thanks to its simple rules and exciting gameplay, roulette is still one of the most popular games in Vegas casinos today; and with the rise of online casinos, it’s now easier than ever to enjoy this classic game no matter where you are. So what are you waiting for? Give roulette a spin and see for yourself why this game is so popular!

Since their inception in the 1990s, online casinos have significantly grown in popularity, becoming one of the most popular hobbies in the United States. With the COVID-19 pandemic in the past two year, people were forced to stay inside and comply with lockdowns, quarantines, and social distancing measures, and traditional land-based gambling facilities, including iconic Las Vegas venues, were forced to shut down physical operations. Therefore, bettors had to turn to online casinos to keep the action going.

Some of the reasons why online casino games are so popular include the convenience and safety of playing at home, as well as the different incentives and promotions offered by online operators. Given that many traditional brick-and-mortar venues are still gradually reopening across the country, iGaming has emerged as a viable alternative for individuals looking for new entertainment options. As a result, the sector has grown significantly, with the iGaming industry generating tremendous profits in 2020 and 2021, and online casinos accounting for more than 60% of the market.

Following the widespread adoption of the Internet in the 1990s, online casinos were introduced and quickly became a popular attraction, with games and platforms developed by companies such as Microgaming and Playtech. However, due to technological limitations at the time, the game selection was still limited, and slots were usually the only games available.

As technology advanced and computers became more sophisticated, software companies began focusing on table games and other casino games, resulting in improved gameplay, graphics, and sound effects, finally offering online punters a genuine experience.

Today, iGaming operators have been able to provide authentic gaming experiences to bettors playing from the comfort of their homes, and with the emergence of live dealer games and virtual reality casinos, online casinos have become a perfect emulation of the real deal – you can feel as if you were on the floor of one of the renowned Las Vegas Strip casinos, interact with dealers and other players, and ultimately enjoy the thrill of playing classics like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat.

It’s undeniable that visiting Las Vegas is a one-of-a-kind experience, and nothing will ever match the thrill of walking down the Strip and playing in one of those iconic venues. However, with all the tech advancements and innovations introduced by the iGaming industry, online casinos have never been so close to matching all the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas.

New gaming trends

The emergence of live streaming technologies in the late 2000s allowed iGaming software providers and operators to come up with one of the hottest trends in the industry today: live dealer games.

Unlike conventional online casino games which rely on random number generators to provide an outcome, live dealer games are managed and operated by professional croupiers in real time, and streamed to players from land-based casinos and broadcast studios. Apart from being able to witness the whole gaming process, players can also interact with the dealers and other players, just as if they were at a real casino. Live dealer games are featured at almost every reputable online casino, such as FanDuel – of which you can read more here, in this FanDuel online casino review.

However, in the past couple of years, a new trend emerged that promises to take things even further: virtual reality casinos. As VR devices and headset became more affordable, developers and operators began focusing on this technology to provide immersive environments to players. 

Virtual reality casinos are virtual counterparts to regular casinos. Unlike traditional online casinos, where players just click and play games, VR casinos provide a completely immersive experience that includes interactive slot machines, realistic roulette and card game tables, other users strolling about in their VR avatars, and even cocktail bars. The majority of classic casino games, such as slots, blackjack, poker, and roulette, are available in virtual reality casinos.

Online casinos vs. Las Vegas

Although it is hard to predict Las Vegas’ long-term future, we can be certain that it will not disappear anytime soon. For starters, Vegas is still a major tourist destination, and it’s reasonable to assume that people whose overseas travel has been restricted will be eager to visit.

Furthermore, as enjoyable as the online casino experience is, nothing compares to the adrenaline of being in a room filled with hundreds of machines, all of which are playing music and ringing out whenever someone wins. It’s meant to get your heart racing, and it succeeds admirably. Many Las Vegas casinos also provide conveniences and other perks that you won’t get at home. It’s a unique experience that virtual gaming can’t quite match. It’s also worth noting that, aside from casinos, Las Vegas provides a vacation full of options to let you enjoy yourself. Whether you want to go shopping, watch a concert, eat at one of their fantastic restaurants, or simply relax in your luxurious hotel and enjoy the warm weather, Las Vegas has it all. So, will Las Vegas be replaced by internet casinos? Most likely not, and certainly not in the near future.

Long gone are the days when children would be lined up in strict rows in a big square classroom and made to recite their spelling, times tables, or the significant dates of the Civil War. In the modern era, education has taken on a new and multidimensional role, straddling the lines between play and learning, home and school, independence and socialization. However, in a market that is saturated with educational tools for teaching or engaging young people, how do you pick the best ones?

Below, you’ll find a brief list of some of the best tools for offering children a well-rounded view of the world, as well as the skills and abilities to navigate their way through it.

1. Good Ol’ Fashioned Books

Even with the advent of countless replacements for books in the past few years, there really is no replacement for the real thing. However, fortunately, gone are the day of stale books about Tommy and Jane going to the soda shop to spend a nickel – there are an unbelievable number of creative, beautiful, and diverse books for children and young adults to choose from.

You might want to pick books with stunning illustrations that will captivate children’s hearts and minds or choose a book with complex characters from diverse backgrounds that will open up their views on the world. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned book.

2. Big-Screened Tablets

Computers that can move with children are possibly the best educational tool to come out of the twenty-first century so far. While desktop computers and laptops offered the opportunity to access the amazing resources of the internet, as well as develop digital skills, they kept little ones tethered to one spot. This isn’t great for young ones with lots of energy, and it also anchors imaginative practices to one place. On the other hand, tiny computers like smartphones don’t have the scope of space for imagination to roam free!

With a big tablet for kids, the best of both worlds has been achieved. Children can dive into the depths of the online world, enjoying engaging games, films, television shows, and activities, all while moving about the room and socializing.

3. Multimedia Playsets

Many feel as though when educating children, they have to choose between chunky, shiny, (often gendered) plastic toys and more wholesome formless sets of wooden blocks. That false dichotomy has been blown away in the era of multimedia playsets, which combine toys and objects of all types in order to provide a diverse and fascinating playscape for your young ones. These toys can also be used in lessons to represent objects for counting or figures in history.

Allowing young people to use their brains as well as their bodies in manipulating these collections of tactile toys is a great way to make sure that they are experiencing holistic and enjoyable learning!

The best part about all of these learning tools is that they can be used in conjunction with one another! There’s no limit to how you can combine tools for education so as to give young kids the best idea of what the world is really like.

Las Vegas is a city that’s gained worldwide fame for its various entertainment options, but not everyone is aware that there’s more to this city in Nevada than meets the eye. The following are some of the interesting activities you could carry out in and around Vegas but might not have heard of before now.

See the View from the Highest Observation Tower in the Country
Fremont Street is one of the liveliest areas of the city, as many tourists come here to check out the live entertainment options and the spectacular evening light show, among other things. However, you might not realize that this area also contains the country’s tallest free-standing observation tower and the chance to see Las Vegas from a completely different point of view. The Strat Hotel has a tower that stands 1,149-foot tall, with both indoor and outdoor observation decks. You get spectacular views of Las Vegas during the day or at night from levels 108 and 109 of this giant building. The outdoor area even offers incredible thrill rides like the Big Shot and Insanity, to get your pulse racing as you enjoy an unforgettable view of the city from above.

Play Lesser-Known Games

Baccarat is a good example of a classic table game that hasn’t traditionally been as widely-played in the US as in Europe. Some historians believe that the history of baccarat can be traced back to 14th century Italy, but it only reached Vegas in the 1950s, when Francis “Tommy” Renzoni brought it here via Cuba. In recent years, it has become extremely popular with American players and can be found easily in the majority of Nevada’s casinos, with stakes typically starting at $10.

The 21st century has seen an explosion in the popularity of baccarat, both in Vegas casinos and worldwide. Part of the reason for this is that it can be found on many international sites. For example, the best sites for online baccarat in India in 2022 include Dafabet, 22Bet, and 1XBet. These casinos include a number of baccarat titles along with other classic table games such as blackjack and roulette. These also offer welcome bonuses such as 100% extra on the first plus 30 spins. Each of the operators they recommend has a complete, exhaustive review on the site by the professionals. Getting to experience lesser-known casino games can add an extra layer to the entertainment, whether you’re playing in-person or online.

Get an Illuminating View of the City’s History

Vegas has been world-famous since the 1950s, although the first casinos started to appear two decades earlier. The total of eight million visitors in 1954 reveals that it had already become a magnet for fun-seekers, and part of the appeal of this city has always been the gorgeous neon signs that have lit up its night sky over the years. Of course, these signs get changed from time to time, but where do the discarded signs end up going after they get switched off for the last time? The answer can be found at The Neon Museum. This fascinating attraction includes The Main Boneyard, where visitors can look over more than 200 classic signs from Vegas’ rich history dating back to the very first hotels and casinos from the 1930s. Tourists can buy tickets for special shows like Brilliant, where a 45-minute light show brings more than 40 of these discarded signs back to life, together with a soundtrack that adds to the atmosphere.

Explore the Wonders of Nature

A trip to Vegas can be about more than bright lights and great shows. The city’s location in Nevada also makes it convenient for anyone who wants to get out and get closer to nature while here. For example, the Red Rock Canyon is 17 miles from Vegas and SUV tours can be organized easily in the city. This is also a perfect spot for hiking, camping, or learning about the area in the Visitor Center. The Grand Canyon is further from Vegas, but the West Rim can be reached in about three hours by bus. Some visitors choose to take a helicopter tour of this natural wonder, while for others it’s the perfect choice for a day trip by bus. You might consider the chance to see two billion years’ worth of Earth’s geological history and one of the most iconic spots in the US is just too good to miss, no matter how exciting you find the other things to do in Vegas.

By understanding the alternative attractions available in Las Vegas, you can enjoy a highly-varied trip where you see interesting sights and discover something new into the bargain.