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A Short History of Gambling and Games of Chance
A broad, cautious survey of how games of chance developed from ancient dice and wagers to lotteries, gaming houses and modern casinos, and why the odds stayed put.
Design and Industry
A History of Casino Games
Where the main games came from and how they changed.
Casino Resorts and the Business of Destination Gambling
A general account of why large resorts grew up around gaming: law, tourism, travel, non-gambling revenue and the way casinos fit into a wider hospitality business.
Famous Probability Pioneers and Gambling Math
How questions about dice and card games led Cardano, Pascal, Fermat, Huygens and later mathematicians to build the foundations of probability theory.
From Mechanical Reels to Digital Slots
How slot machines moved from spring-driven mechanical reels to electromechanical designs, microprocessors, video screens and software-driven games.
How Game Rules Have Changed to Protect the House
A general explanation of how small rule adjustments in blackjack, roulette and other games shift the house edge, with a simple hypothetical example.
How Roulette Evolved From Earlier Wheel Games
The commonly told story of roulette: earlier wheel and board games, the French wheel of the 1700s, the single-zero wheel, and the American double-zero version.
Mobile Gaming and the Shift to Small Screens
How smartphones changed gambling-style games: shorter sessions, touch interfaces, portrait layouts, notifications, and why mobile play raises its own cautions.
The History of Playing Cards and Card Games
A general account of how playing cards spread from Asia to Europe, how suits and the 52-card deck developed, and how card games became gambling games.
The Origins of Dice Games
A careful look at dice from knucklebones and ancient archaeological finds to Roman dice games, medieval hazard and the later development of craps.
The Rise of Online Casino Games
A general account of how casino games reached the internet in the 1990s, how software, payments and regulation developed, and what changed with live dealers and mobile.
Related topics
More in design and industry
Game Design How casino games are designed, built and engineered for engagement. Industry and Technology How technology, marketing and trends have changed casino games. Regulation and Economy The rules governing casino games and their effect on communities. Fairness Testing and Security How games are tested, audited and protected from tampering.