Casino Secrets: Stories and Facts That Will Surprise You
Slot machines are one of the most attractive attractions for gambling lovers. Spinning the reels not only brings glittering feelings and amusement but also an opportunity to win in case luck is on your side.
Every day, millions of players try their luck in https://africacasinohub.com/. Yet only a few know that behind the glitz and glamour, casinos hide fascinating and sometimes shocking facts. In this article, we’ve collected some little-known stories about the gambling world.
A Game Not Worth the Candles
Everyone knows the phrase "a game not worth the candles," but they do not know its origin. It was coined in the Middle Ages, when gambling clubs already existed.
Because there was no electricity, gambling clubs employed wax candles as light sources. When the winnings were not enough to cover the cost of the candles, they used to say, "the game isn't worth the candles."
Some typical features of medieval gambling clubs were:
- Wax candles as the main source of light.
- Simple game tables for dice or cards.
- Native crowds looking for entertainment even at minimal stakes.
How Fruit Machines Originated
The first slot machines used symbols directly from playing cards. When the machines were outlawed in the late 19th century, the owners were forced to get creative. The card symbols were replaced by pictures of fruit and berries, and the winners received gum or candy instead of money.
What Game Is Considered Linked to the Devil's Number?
Roulette is the most identifiable casino game — and it has a devilish link. Count all of the numbers on a roulette wheel and the total is 666, the "number of the devil." Because of that, roulette is also called "the Devil's Wheel."
There is one legend that still holds that François Blanc, a casino owner in France, made a pact with the devil in order to discover the secret of winning at roulette.
Why Casinos Avoid Clocks
One thing you’ll never see inside a casino is a clock. The same goes for windows — elite casinos often exclude them altogether. Guests are even discouraged from wearing wristwatches. This is no accident; it’s a deliberate strategy. By removing time cues, casinos make players lose track of hours and stay at the tables longer.
Why Croupiers Have No Pockets
A croupier is the person running the game at a table in a casino. Dealers wear uniforms provided by the casino, but with a strange exception: the uniforms are all pocketless. The why is easy to understand — it prevents staff members from stealing or hiding chips.
The First Floating Casino
The initial floating casino appeared in California, where gambling was illegal for years. The local gangster and entrepreneur, Anthony Cornero, used international waters to bypass the law. Cornero docked ships several kilometers away from Santa Monica and extended invitations to players.
During the late 1930s, Cornero owned two gambling ships:
- SS Tango
- SS Rex
They could hold up to 2,000 to 3,000 players. But in the mid-20th century, the activities were outlawed by President Harry Truman. Cornero himself mysteriously died about a decade after one of his last casino games.
The Origin of the Word "Casino"
Very few gamblers know that the word "casino" originates from the Italian word "casa" or "house." The first official casino was opened in Venice, Italy. In the beginning, the term was applied to denote a simple country house where one would retire to indulge in amusement and games of chance.
In the 19th century, its meaning expanded to cover places where people did not just gamble but also drank, socialized, and heard music.
Punishment for Cheaters
Cinema screens prefer to present casino robberies as clever con schemes carried out by daring masterminds. Reality was far more difficult. Few people ever succeeded in cheating a casino, and the penalties were severe.
Since most gambling halls belonged to the mafia, cheating amounted to burglarizing a crime syndicate's home. Episodes of cheats being beaten up or even crippled in advance of other players were routine.
What Sandwiches Have to Do With Gambling
The world's most famous food — the sandwich — also bears a link to gambling. The 4th Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, was a heavy gambler and used to play for hours or even days straight.
His game addiction was so strong that he would not even stop to eat. Thus, one day he instructed his servants to place a slice of meat between two pieces of bread. This way, he could hold cards in one hand and his lunch in the other and never leave the game.