Before Las Vegas lit up the desert, and long before Macau became a gambler’s paradise, the very first official casino was born in the heart of Venice, Italy.

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Welcome to Il Ridotto – 1638

In 1638, the Venetian government made a bold move — it officially opened Il Ridotto (“The Private Room”), the world’s first state-sanctioned gambling house. Located near the San Moisè Church, Il Ridotto wasn’t open to just anyone. Access was limited to the Venetian elite: nobles, aristocrats, and wealthy visitors, especially during the famous Carnival season.

Inside, the atmosphere was grand and formal. Players were expected to dress elegantly, often wearing masks and elaborate costumes, in line with the spirit of the Venetian Carnival. The space itself was opulent, with high ceilings, candlelight, and lavish decor.

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Games Played at the Ridotto

Il Ridotto offered several games that were popular at the time:

Biribi – A lottery-style game involving a numbered board and bets placed on chosen numbers. Think of it as a rough ancestor of modern roulette.

Bassetta – A complex card game that was notorious for being easily manipulated by the house, giving the casino a strong edge.

Unlike today's noisy and fast-paced casinos, the Ridotto was more of a private club — refined, exclusive, and carefully controlled.

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A Casino with Rules and Morality

Despite being a gambling house, Il Ridotto operated under strict regulations. Gambling was only allowed during certain seasons, mainly around Carnival. There were codes of conduct, and the government intended for it to be a controlled way to keep gambling confined and taxable — rather than letting it spread unchecked across the city.

Still, the casino faced criticism for promoting immoral behavior and draining the fortunes of noble families.

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Closure and Legacy

In 1774, after more than 130 years of operation, Il Ridotto was closed by Venetian reformers who believed it encouraged decadence and moral decay. But its legacy didn’t end there.

The idea of a centralized, glamorous space for legal gambling inspired the creation of casinos all across Europe — from the Casino di Monte Carlo in Monaco to the elegant salons of Baden-Baden in Germany, and eventually the rise of Las Vegas and online gambling platforms.

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From Venice to Your Screen

The Ridotto may be long gone, but its spirit lives on in every casino around the world. Whether it’s a marble hall in Monaco or an online blackjack table on your phone, the essence of the Ridotto — exclusivity, risk, elegance — is still at the core of modern gambling.