Month: October 2023

Craps, with its lively atmosphere and fast-paced action, has become a beloved fixture on the floors of casinos around the world. This article takes a journey through time, exploring the origins and evolution of craps from its ancient roots to its modern incarnation as a casino classic.

Ancient Beginnings: The origins of craps can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where dice games were played by people in various cultures. The game evolved over time, with different societies incorporating their own rules and variations.

Medieval Europe: Dice games gained popularity in medieval Europe, where they were played in taverns and public gatherings. These early games laid the groundwork for the modern game of craps, with players betting on the outcome of dice rolls.

The Influence of the Crusades: The Crusades played a significant role in spreading dice games across Europe, as soldiers and traders brought back new games and gambling traditions from the East. These games eventually evolved into the precursors of modern craps.

New Orleans and the Birth of Craps: The modern game of craps is believed to have originated in New Orleans in the early 19th century. The game was popular among African American communities, who added new rules and betting options to the traditional dice game.

The Introduction of Betting Options: Craps continued to evolve throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, with casinos adding new betting options and variations to the game. The introduction of the “pass line” and “don’t pass line” bets, as well as the “come” and “don’t come” bets, added layers of strategy and excitement to the game.

The Rise of Las Vegas: Craps gained widespread popularity in Las Vegas during the mid-20th century, becoming a staple of casino gambling in the city. The game’s fast-paced action and social atmosphere made it a favorite among players, and it remains a mainstay on casino floors to this day.

Online Craps: In the digital age, craps found a new audience in online casinos, where players could enjoy the game from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual craps tables offered realistic gameplay and immersive experiences, attracting both seasoned players and newcomers alike.

From its ancient origins to its status as a casino classic, craps has rolled through history, leaving its mark on cultures and societies around the world. Whether played in brick-and-mortar casinos or online platforms, the game continues to captivate players with its thrilling gameplay and social atmosphere.

The history of casinos is intricately intertwined with the shadowy underworld of organized crime, particularly the influence of mafia groups. This article delves into the fascinating relationship between the mafia and casino culture, from the early days of mobsters to the transformation of modern resorts.

Prohibition Era: During the Prohibition era in the United States (1920s-1930s), organized crime syndicates, notably the Italian-American Mafia, seized the opportunity to profit from illegal alcohol sales and gambling operations. Speakeasies and underground casinos became lucrative enterprises for mafia bosses, who controlled the illicit trade.

Las Vegas and the Mob: The rise of Las Vegas as a gambling mecca in the mid-20th century provided the perfect opportunity for organized crime to expand its influence. Mafia families, including the infamous Chicago Outfit and the New York-based Genovese crime family, invested heavily in Las Vegas casinos, using them as fronts for money laundering and other criminal activities.

The Rat Pack and Casino Glamour: During the 1950s and 1960s, Las Vegas became synonymous with glamour and entertainment, attracting celebrities and high rollers from around the world. The Rat Pack, led by icons like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, performed at casino resorts owned or controlled by mafia figures, adding to the allure of the city.

The Skimming Era: One of the most notorious practices associated with mafia-controlled casinos was “skimming,” where a portion of the casino’s profits was siphoned off by mobsters before being reported to authorities for taxation. Skimming operations allowed mafia families to amass vast fortunes while evading law enforcement scrutiny.

Government Crackdown: In the 1970s and 1980s, federal authorities launched a series of investigations, known as the “Battle for Las Vegas,” aimed at dismantling mafia control of the city’s casinos. High-profile prosecutions and increased regulation led to the decline of mafia influence in the casino industry.

The Rise of Corporate Casinos: In the wake of the government crackdown, corporate interests began to dominate the casino industry, leading to the construction of mega-resorts owned by publicly traded companies. The era of mafia-controlled casinos gave way to a new era of corporate governance and strict regulatory oversight.

Legacy of the Mafia: Despite the decline of mafia influence, the legacy of organized crime in the casino industry continues to linger. Some of Las Vegas’s most iconic resorts, including the Flamingo and the Sands, were originally built by mafia figures and have since been transformed into legitimate businesses.

The influence of the mafia on casino culture is a complex and enduring aspect of the industry’s history. While organized crime no longer holds sway over the casino industry as it once did, its legacy remains embedded in the fabric of Las Vegas and other gambling destinations around the world.