Venice, Italy, is somewhere most of us have on our bucket lists, whether it’s for a romantic getaway, or for visiting historic buildings. The world’s first casino is a prime example of just one piece of history in the heart of Venice, on the edge of the Grand Canal.
The building, known as the Casino di Venezia, first opened its doors in 1638, but initially, the 15th-century palace was built with different intentions…
If a plane ticket to Italy seems out of reach, fear not, because not only can you play a variety of classic games like roulette and blackjack at Online casinobut we’re about to take you on a whistle-stop tour of Casino di Venezia.
The original building
The three-storey palace that stands proudly above the Grand Canal was designed by architect Mauro Coduzzi, at the request of an Italian nobleman named Andrea Loredan.
The building embodies the beauty of Renaissance architecture, showcasing wealth and grandeur through frescoed ceilings, paintings by famous Italian painters, and handcrafted walls by famous artists.
Saint Moses Theatre
The building was built with the intention of housing a theatre – the St. Moses Theatre. Opened in 1638, this is where the story of our casino begins.
During breaks in plays, both spectators and actors ventured into the second pavilion to gamble. This gambling establishment was known as Ca’Vendramin Calergi.
The idea was that this casino was open to people of all walks of life, but in reality, only the rich could abide by the elegant dress code and wagering requirements.
Before that, there was no need to legalize gambling, but when the Saint Moses Theater sparked the beginning of the casino craze in the 18th century, the local authorities decided to regulate the activities in order to tax them.
Despite this success, the government decided to ban gambling in 1774, and the casino was forced to close.
Venice casino
From 1774 to 1959, there was no casino in this now famous building. In fact, it housed the Italian king and royal family for quite some time.
The mansion has been resold several times over the years, most recently to the famous German composer Richard Wagner, who rested here from 1858 until his death in 1883.
In 1946, the building became state property of the city. It was renovated and reopened as a casino in 1959 – Casino di Venezia – in homage to its early history.
Visit the casino
In modern times, the Casino di Venezia is still open to the public. Not only can you explore the history within the walls of this stunning mansion, but you can also expect to find a very formal classic casino experience. Popular games such as Roulette, French Roulette, Chemin de Fer and blackjack can be enjoyed within the elegant rooms. Wagner and Marco Polo restaurants offer the finishing touches we didn’t know we needed.
final thoughts
Now that you’ve taken a look at one of the most famous casinos in gaming history, do you think you’ll be planning a visit anytime soon? Or will you stick to the future more user-friendly experience of playing casino games online?