Home » Most surprising Facts about Casinos and Gambling

Most surprising Facts about Casinos and Gambling

Casinos have always been a source of interesting stories and myths. Most of these stories originate from societies where it is not allowed for casinos to operate. Now the number of casinos is increasing day by day. In the United States alone, there are over 1,000 casinos operating. As the other states are seeking to legalise gambling, the number of casinos is likely to increase with hugely appealing online casino bonuses, very helpful for them to lure the customers in. Below we have compiled some of the most interesting facts about casinos and gambling.

1- FedEx story

FedEx is the multinational courier delivery services company which is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Once, the founder of FedEx Frederick Smith had to gamble to save his company, the company whose net income is about US$2.997 billion with over 400,000 employees now.

It is famously said that his company had only $5,000 when he decided to take that money and gamble in Vegas in 1973. Luckily for him, the gambling worked. He won $27,000 by playing blackjack. This money actually saved his company.

2- The invention of the sandwich

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich,is attributed with the invention of sandwich that is a popular food item for us now. It is said that John Montagu was very fond of gambling.

One time during a 24-hour gambling streak, it is said that he instructed his cook to prepare his food so that the food would not interfere with his gambling game. The creative cook brought two pieces of toast with sliced meat in between. This way, John Montagu could eat with one hand while with the other hand, he could play the game. Unfortunately, the real inventor’s name was not recorded. Therefore it is not known to us.

3- Card counting is legal

Card counting strategy can be used to account for the cards that have been dealt and the cards that are remaining in the deck. It is a perfectly legal strategy in blackjack.

However, card counting can get you thrown out of the casino. Casinos can ask you to leave or pick any other game if you are found counting your cards. In order to stop the practice, they also make some slight changes in the rules or shuffle the cards more frequently.

4- Self Exclusion Programme

It might surprise you to know,but one can ban oneself from a casino in several states of the US. He/she can make it a crime for themselves to enter a casino. This self-exclusion program is specially geared towards those who have an addiction problem to gambling.

These people can choose the time periodon their own. They can either ban themselves for a year or for life. And if one chooses for life, then it means that there will be no any way to get their names off the list.

5- First Slot Machine

Charles Fey was credited with the invention of the first slot machine in 1895. He was a San Franciscan mechanic who worked for a company and later started his own company.

The first slot machine was not played in a casino. Fey’s Liberty Bell machine was placed at his auto shop where his customers could enjoy themselves while waiting for their vehicles to be repaired. Seeing the popularity of the slot machines, many casinos introduced these machines in their casinos so that their gamblers could play when table games would be occupied.

Now, they are even more popular as they have taken over the online world, at places such as Casino Market.

6- Nevada State Prison Casino

In the state of Nevada, gambling is hugely popular. It is surprising to note that the state prison of Nevada even had a casino in it once. For 35 years between 1932-1967, the prison inmates could play craps, blackjack, poker and even could bet on sports. However, a new warden in the year 1967 closed down the casino who considered gambling degradation.

7- American Roulette

The roulette was first played in 18th century France and its name is also French meaning little wheel. Compared with the European roulette, the American roulette is slightly harder to win.  It is because instead of 37 possible landing places for the ball, there are 38 places.

This way, a player of European roulette has the odds of winning of 1 in 37. While in the American roulette, the player has the odds of winning of 1 in 38.

8- 1st Casino License in Las Vegas

The casino industry pioneers of Las Vegas were not all male personalities. In fact, a woman named Mayme Stocker is known for being issued the 1st casino license in 1920 in Las Vegas. Her casino offered five games which were deemed legal at that time- draw poker, 500, lowball poker, stud poker and bridge.

9- Las Vegas is not the gambling capital of the world

Contrary to what most people would think, Las Vegas is not the gambling capital of the world. It is the Chinese city of Macau where gambling takes place on such a huge level that it can rightly be called as the gambling capital of the world.

The casino revenues of Macau were almost five times over than Vegas in 2012.In Macau, most of the revenuesare generated from high rollers who bet huge amounts of money.

Related Posts

2 thoughts on “Most surprising Facts about Casinos and Gambling

  1. Pingback: Weird Casino Facts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *