Sloto Magazine Blog
Tracing the origins of luck
As featured on Sloto Magazine
Like many traditions and practices that are old as humanity itself, the origins of games of chance lie hidden in the mist of prehistory. Anthropologists and historians believe that in one form or another gambling has existed for thousands of years. We must look at the records of the earliest civilizations to find clues for the origin of what is today a widespread, globalized form of entertainment.
“Head or tails” could be the simplest and earliest form of a chance game. The game could be played with an ordinary seashell tossed into the air. Records from the Roman Empire confirm this form of “coin flipping” prior to the actual use of a coin. When coins were common within the Empire, a coin toss became a popular way of settling disputes. It was called “navia aut caput” meaning “ship or head” as many coins had a ship on one side and the head of the emperor on the other.
In Ancient Greece the practice of gambling was embedded in their very mythology. It is said that Zeus, Poseidon and Hades divided the universe amongst themselves after a game of dice. Zeus won the Heavens, the sea went to Poseidon and Hades won control over the Underworld. In this context it is easy to understand why the ancient Greeks believed that the gods controlled the results of a game of dice. They used this game of chance to select rulers, look for omens and predict future events.
Did you know that according to ancient Greek mythology, Zeus and two others gods divided the universe amongst themselves after a game of dice?
One of the most elaborate games of chance in antiquity is Keno, originating as early as 2500 years ago in China. It is the earliest form of lottery, where participants select a few numbers from a set of 80 and wait for the outcome of a random selection of numbers. Legend has it that the Great Wall of China was partially financed by the selling of Keno tickets!
As we move closer to our times, more and more games of chance started to appear. Many of the prototypical casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Baccarat have their origin during or after the European Middle Ages. The game of Craps is believed to be of English origin, developed by knights in the 12th century to pass time. An early version of Blackjack is mentioned in Cervantes’ famous novel Don Quixote. Playing cards were at first hand painted but later, with the invention of printing, they were manufactured in printing houses. The philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal introduced a primitive form of Roulette in the 17th century. Later in the 18th century both Roulette and Baccarat began to take their modern form.
The casino as an establishment for gambling purposes has an obscure origin. Gambling has always been an extremely popular form of entertainment but rulers and governments in the past, like now, have attempted to suppress it. In 1190, during the Third Crusade, King Richard of England and Philip II of France issued edicts that forbade gambling for money for those below the rank of a knight. It is only in 1638 that we see the first legal casino appear in Europe. Known as “Il Ridotto” or “the private room” in Italian, this was a government-owned gambling house in Venice. It only offered two types of games: Biribi and Basetta. The first was a kind of lottery game, while the latter was a mix between poker, gin rummy and blackjack.
In the US gambling saloons were widespread in the 19th century but it was only in 1931, when Nevada became the first state to legalize gambling, that real casinos made their appearance in Las Vegas. The second major gambling hub became Atlantic City after New Jersey legalized gambling in 1977. Today there are 21 states that allow commercial gambling establishments in the US.
The last phase in this short overview of casino games has been the introduction of gambling into the online world. The very first online casino was launched in August 1995, offering only 18 games of very poor quality compared to today’s online games. Fast forward only 20 years and the internet now harbors over 1,500 gambling sites according to a recent Economist.com article.
What could be the future of games of chance? As we have seen in this Summer Edition, the arrival of 3D slot games sets a new standard of quality and entertainment. We can look forward to plenty of new releases of 3D and mobile games in the near future as we begin to shape the next phase of the age-old gambling tradition.
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As featured on Sloto Magazine Winter 2019 Edition
Aquarius
It’s going to be a busy year in many regards. You’ll be constantly surprised by where jackpots are won. Unexpected games paying out high, at the least expected moment. Up till March 6th, payouts will be volatile. At that time Uranus will enter your 4th House of Home until 2026. Stabilized results rest of the year with some high and low peaks in between.
Recommended games: Big Shot, Caesar’s Empire, Eagle Shadow Fist, Food Fight, Loch Ness Loot
Pisces
Start the year flying high, see your bankroll soar. January 13, June 16th and September 21st, Jupiter squares off with Neptune in your sign. Lots of choices to be made. Tune in your intuition to select the best coupons, play the less risky games and claim all loyalty rewards to extend your luck. You’ll end 2019 with a smile on your face.
Recommended games: Gold beard, Jazz Time, Mayan Queen, Ocean Oddities, Santa Strikes Back
Aries
It will be a year of finding balance, between leisure, family and work. The solar eclipse on January 5th will thrust your luck forward. However, the solar eclipse on July 2nd will require that you make careful choices. Play with caution; don’t exceed your gaming budget.
Recommended games: Aladdin’s Wishes, Ancient Gods, Outta This World, Ronin, The Naughty List
Taurus
There is going to be a lot of flux this year. It will keep things exciting, with stubborn low streaks and consistent high streaks. Jupiter moving through your 8th House of Other People's Money until December 2, so you might experience a surge in funds!
Recommended games: Nova 7s, Panda’s Gold, Secret Symbol, Tiger Treasure, Triple 7 Inferno
Gemini
Money will be a protagonist in 2019. The solar eclipse on July 2nd falls on your 2nd House of Earned Income. This will set a boost in your cash flow. Key to your success will be where you allocate your bets this year. Temptation to play high jackpot games may lower your luck. Explore little played games for surprise payouts!
Recommended games: Roberta’s Castle, Honey to the Bee, Golden Retriever, Coyote Cash, Coat of Arms
Cancer
You’ll start the year on a high note but it will be hard to keep the luck all the way through the spring. Don’t despair; the lunar eclipse on July 16th will lead to a clear shift in luck’s gear. Cherish the wins and don’t put it all back in the games. Play with a cool hand and you’ll end with a very positive 2019!
Recommended games: Basketbull, Cash Bandits, Enchanted Garden II, Triple Toucan, I Zombie
Leo
Jupiter, the planet of blessings and luck, will move through your luck sector until December 2. There’s a lot to reap in 2019. You’ll feel invincible but you have to keep your feet on the ground. Some tough calls will be made throughout the summer. Don’t overspend thinking you can bring back the lucky streak. Trust your gut feelings and cash out when you can.
Recommended games: Mister Money, Sweet 16, Texas Tycoon, Elf Wars, Super 6
Virgo
This is a year of responsibilities. You’ll have to manage well your time so you can get your well-deserved leisure time. Enjoy games moderately and you’ll see your bankroll stabilize after March 6th, when Uranus moves to our 9th House of Higher Mind. You’ll see a change in your style or mode of play. Remember to have fun, life is not only work!
Recommended games: Boy King’s Treasure, Bubble Bubble 2, Eternal Love, Golden Lotus, Paydirt
Libra
Balance is the key to 2019. While it is not easy to keep a balance between budget, entertainment value and payout expectations, you’ll learn fast this year how to play optimally at Sloto’Cash. You’ll start to see slow but upward payouts as the year unfolds.
Recommended games: Hockey Hero, Megasaur, Pirate Ilse, Samba Sunset, Tally Ho
Scorpio
2019 will be a very rich year in many ways. It’s not only in terms of jackpots, but also entertainment and good memories. Money will roll more freely than previous years. But you have to manage risks carefully. Sense when lucky streaks are coming to an end and cash out. You’ll be mostly optimistic but don’t become complacent.
Recommended games: Ocean Dreams, Megaquarium, Sunken Treasure, Wooden Boy, Lucha Libre 2
Sagittarius
Time to free yourself and play with a little more risk. This can mean shorter play sessions if things don’t go your way. Jupiter moving through your sign is promising a big payout this year, enough to eclipse all previous losses.
Recommended games: Green Light, Haunted Opera, Mystic Dragon, Orb vs Elf, Rudolph’s Revenge
Capricorn
It’s a year of diligence. Saturn has been in your sign for over a year now. You will play persistently (but like always, carefully) to get your money’s worth. The 2019 eclipses will fall on your sign and opposite sign. This means you could see a historic win this year! As is your custom, cash out the majority to save up for future playing sessions. 2019 will be a year to remember!
Recommended games: Ghost Ship, Count Spectacular, Fucanglong, Monster Mayhem, T-Rex
