Vestergaard Moses (helpgold96)

Discover the history of the Casinò di Venezia, established in 1638. Learn about its origins as the Ridotto and its influence on modern gambling houses. The Ridotto in Venice The Origin Story of the World's First Public Casino Pinpoint the year 1638 and location of Venice, Italy, to identify a direct ancestor of modern gaming establishments. Il Ridotto, operating within San Moisè Palace, stands as a pivotal point in regulated betting history. Authorized by of Venice, it was designed to manage and control populace's gambling activities during annual carnival season. This state-sanctioned institution offered specific games like Biribi, a lottery-style amusement, and card game Basetta, under strict governmental supervision. Access to Il Ridotto was not universal; it catered exclusively to nobility. Strict formal dress code, including masks and three-cornered hats, was mandatory, ensuring anonymity for its aristocratic clientele. This exclusivity, combined with a high-stakes environment where only gold and silver coins were accepted, created a unique social sphere. Professional dealers, known as barnabotti, were impoverished nobles who managed games, ensuring house rules were followed and maintaining a significant house advantage. The closure of this Venetian gambling parlor in 1774 by reformer Giorgio Pisani marked an end to a 136-year operational period. The primary reason cited for its shutdown was its perceived role in impoverishing local gentry. Despite its demise, Il Ridotto's model of a public, state-controlled space for wagering laid a foundational blueprint. Its structure and purpose directly influenced subsequent European gaming halls that emerged across continent in 19th century. The World's First Casino: A Look Beyond the Myth Pinpoint the Ridotto in Venice, established in 1638, as a direct precursor to modern gaming establishments. This state-sanctioned gambling house operated within Palazzo Dandolo, a wing of San Moisè's church. Its creation aimed to control illicit games of chance during Venice's carnival season. were required to wear masks and three-cornered hats, a rule initially intended to preserve anonymity for aristocrats, who were its primary clientele. This requirement effectively excluded common citizens, who could not afford such attire. Inside, specific games of skill and chance were permitted. Biribi, a lottery-style game where players bet on one of 70 possible numbers drawn from a bag, was popular. Another prominent offering was Basetta, a card game similar to blackjack and faro, which offered substantial payouts but also carried a high house advantage. These regulated games stood in contrast to unregulated street wagers, providing a structured environment for betting. Operation of Ridotto was a government initiative, making it an official institution rather than a private enterprise. Profits were intended for state coffers. Francesco Morosini, a prominent Venetian doge, was instrumental in its formal sanctioning. Its eventual closure in 1774 by reformer Giorgio Pisani was due to concerns about its perceived effect on aristocratic fortunes and public morality. Pisani argued that it impoverished local nobility. The closure marked a shift in public policy toward gambling, yet its model influenced similar establishments across Europe for centuries. Pinpointing the Ridotto in Venice as the earliest public gambling house Il Ridotto, established in 1638 within Venice's Palazzo Dandolo, stands as history's initial government-sanctioned, public gaming establishment. Its creation aimed to regulate and control Venice's rampant gambling activities, which previously occurred in informal, unregulated settings called "casini". Operati