Casino di Venezia: age-old traditions and modern trends
The oldest casino establishment in the world is the Casino di Venezia on the water. As of 2018, the gambling complex is 380 years old. In fact, the building only opened its doors in 1959. So why is it attributed such a long time? It’s because it’s a sort of heir to the Ridotto gambling industry in Europe, which is nearly four hundred years old since the first gambling establishment was established. As for the building of the really old Ridotto Casino, it is still in operation today. It combines the artistic creations of the Renaissance with modern technology.
The history of the Casino di Venezia
Although it didn’t open to the public until 1956, construction on the building began much earlier. The foundations were laid as early as 1481, commissioned by an Italian nobleman named Andrea Loredano. Construction was carried out until 1509 by two architects, first Mauro Coducci, then Bottega dei Lombardo. From 1589 the property was owned by Vittore Calergi, then passed on by inheritance and was renamed Ca Vendramin Calergi, which became a splendid palace. At the beginning of the 16th century the palace became part of the Church of St Moses and the Palazzo Loredano theatre of the same name. In 1774 the gambling establishment was closed at the request of the patrician Giorgio Pisani. In the middle of the 18th century the courtyard became the property of the Duchess of Berrià. In 1858 it was taken over by the German composer Richard Wagner, who died in 1883. Since 1946 the building has belonged to the municipality, and in 1959 the casino was opened under the current name of Casino di Venezia.
Present day
Reaching the front doors of the casino is easy via the wide canal by free taxi. Immediately upon entering, all visitors are thoroughly examined by staff members who are professional in their choice of hobbies. There is a charge for the establishment. To simply enter you will have to pay €5, but to play you need at least 1 chip, which costs €10. It is not only gambling enthusiasts that can enjoy themselves in this historic place. Regular tourists also come here to visit the museum and have a bite to eat in the restaurant, which started operating in 1995.
Types of entertainment
The Venice on the Water Casino is a gaming complex where people over 18 can experience happiness. The facility offers the following main types of hobbies:
- French and American roulette;
- Slot machines with different themes such as Texas Holdem Poker and Top Gun;
- Card games;
- Baccarat and a variation of Chemin de fer.
For extra fun, customers are encouraged to participate in card tournaments where they can win huge cash prizes. The Palace has many times been the setting for Hollywood films. These walls have appeared in films such as Casino Royale, The Tourist and others. The building’s halls are decorated with works by renowned artists such as Mattia Bortoloni and Malma il Giovano.
There are 2 buildings in the modern playground. The Ca Vendramin Cargi Palace is located in the historic part of town, while the second is near the Marco Polo Mi Airport and is called Ca Noghera. This casino featured games exclusively in the American style.
