1) Old School Casino
Casino games have evolved in different ways. Now, we can bet on a roulette wheel or blackjack on our phones during a coffee break. However, these titles did not come out of nowhere. Many old casino slot games have histories that go back hundreds of years, adapting over cultures and generations. Here are some of the oldest casino games that have stood the test of time.
2) Craps and Other Dice Games
Dice are one of the oldest human inventions; they date back to around 6000 BC. Long before casinos, ancient civilizations in what is today the Middle East played early versions of the dice games. The modern game of craps is believed to have come from the English game Hazard which emerged by 1788. It reached the U.S. by the 1800s, where it became a casino fixture. The dice games we play today are numerous, but craps stands above them all as one of the most enduring.
3) Roulette
Roulette is synonymous with casinos, but its origins are debated. Some trace their roots to Tibetan monks, while others credit Dominican monks with playing an early version. The most widely accepted theory, however, points to Blaise Pascal. The French mathematician, in his attempt to create a perpetual motion machine, unintentionally laid the foundation for the game we know today.
4) Blackjack
Blackjack, one of the oldest casino games, traces its lineage to a Spanish game called “21,” which was mentioned in 17th-century literature. Over time, the game spread to the British Isles, evolving into what we now call blackjack. Unlike some casino games that have remained static, blackjack continues to change, spawning variations like Single Deck Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, and Pontoon.
5) Poker
No list of the oldest casino games is complete without poker. Its origins reach back to ancient Persia, where a game called As-Nas laid the groundwork for modern poker. By 1937, poker had fully adapted to American gambling culture, with influences from the French game Poque. The 1970s marked a turning point, as events like the World Series of Poker cemented its global appeal. Today, poker continues to evolve with innovations like Balatro Casino, a version that blends traditional poker mechanics with roguelike elements.
6) Keno
The precise origins of keno are murky, but the game is thought to be more than 2,000 years old. It was originally known as baige piao or pai-ko p’iao, which meant “white pigeon ticket,” a reference to the early betting slips used in the game. Legend has it that keno proceeds helped pay for building the Great Wall of China, but there is no historical evidence. The game was brought to the West by Chinese immigrants, where it became a staple in casinos.
7) Slot Machines
While they may seem modern, slot machines have been around for more than a century. In 1891, a gambling machine resembling today’s slots appeared in New York. Around the same time, between 1887 and 1895, Charles Fey created the Liberty Bell, the first true slot machine. Today, slots dominate casinos, from classic slot games to high-tech progressive jackpots with life-changing payouts.
8) Baccarat
Baccarat is more than 500 years old and originated in 15th-century Italy, where it was a game for aristocrats. It has since become readily available in every land and online casino. It is very popular in Asian markets. As casinos have evolved, baccarat has remained surprisingly true to one of its original characteristics: it is a game followed by high rollers.
What Is the Most Common Casino Game?
There are a few games that can be said to be classics when it comes to casino games, such as poker, blackjack, roulette, and slots. They are commonplace in nearly every land and online casino.
The availability of games within a casino is influenced by player preferences and popularity. Some places focus on one specific game, blackjack, for instance, and that’s their whole thing. Still, most casinos do have a decent cross-section, so players can find most of what they want to play anywhere.
What Is the Most Played Online Casino Game?
Online slots have reigned supreme for years, thanks to their simplicity, excitement, and variety — there are reportedly around 12,000 online slot games available. But their rule is now coming under fire from crash games.
Crash games became popular due to their fast-paced, high-risk nature, where players can try to maximize their bet up until the game crashes. Its fast-paced rounds and adrenaline-infused play have made it particularly attractive to younger bettors, which has changed the face of online casinos.
From primitive dice games to high-tech slot machines, casino games have always evolved with the times. But the funny thing is that they evolve while staying true to their roots. Players will never stop gambling, and casinos will never stop innovating.