Casinos On The Internet
While card rooms and private gaming clubs may have been around for hundreds of years, the earliest known European casino of the type gamblers know today is probably the Casino at Monte Carlo.
In the late 90s casinos started appearing on the internet and they really started to get popular in 2005. Today there are literally millions of people playing in online casinos all over the world. In some countries such as the USA there are still regulation problems but in the UK it’s 100% regulated and it’s extremely popular. Popular card games such as Online Blackjack and Poker can now be enjoyed in the comfort of your home and providing of course that you play responsibly you will enjoy doing it.
Modern European Casinos
In mainland Europe today, the German Spielbank chain of casinos corners the casino market. The largest of these is the Casino at Bad Neuenahr Ahrwieler, which hosts all the most popular and well-known casino games, including blackjack games, roulette and craps.
English Casinos
In England, London is legendary for its casino gambling and card rooms. The most famous of these is the Grosvenor Victoria Casino, known colloquially as "The Vic," a casino where every European gambler and card player worth his or her salt is expected to have spent some time. Other popular London casinos include Aspinalls, the Ritz Club and Ladbrokes Casino. English gamblers have the chance to play online as well, as they can take their pick from several no deposit casino sites.
European Casinos Today
Unlike American casinos, which are limited by somewhat restrictive gambling laws, some European casinos have branched out into the online world. This enables the casinos to increase their traffic and profits significantly, and gives their clients a choice regarding where and when to play.
Above: Bee 92 Casino quality playing cards made by USPCC with custom ace and jokers for Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, 1995. The deck has been cancelled by drilling a hole through the centre. Image courtesy Matt Probert.
Above: Aristocrat New York New York Casino deck by USPCC. The suit of hearts are apples, making it rather unusual. The deck has been cancelled by cropping the corners. Image courtesy Matt Probert.
Above: Aristocrat brand deck for Excalibur Casino by USPCC with custom jokers, 2005. Image courtesy Matt Probert.
By Simon Wintle
Spain • Member since February 01, 1996 • Contact
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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