It would be hard to find a person who has never heard of gambling before. Nearly everyone knows the most popular games or famous winning stories. However, if you want to delve deeper into the world of gambling, casinos, and slot machines, try Pirate Spot . In this article, we collected some unusual facts that even passionate and experienced gamblers may not know.
Fruit Symbols in Slot Machines
Everyone has seen slot machines with fruit symbols, but few know the story of how they appeared on slot screens. At the end of the 19th century, gambling was banned in the United States. It was then that "fruit machines" started appearing on the streets of American cities, paying out fruit-flavored chewing gum and candy. For example, players received cherry gum when a combination with images of cherries appeared on the screen. The award changed depending on fruit and berry symbols on the screen. In 1931, slot machines started to pay out winnings in cash since the ban on gambling was canceled. But the familiar fruit symbols are a reminder of the old days.
The First Casino License
There is a stereotype that only wealthy men can own casinos. But the first license to open a casino was granted to a woman. In September 1920, the Southern Club was opened by a woman named Mamie Stoker. Her husband Harold worked on a railroad and did not wish to put his name on documents.
However, he worked for the casino from the first day together with his sons. Gambling was illegal at the time, so the Stokers offered only five legal games: stud, draw, lowball, bridge, and 500.
Las Vegas Popularity and Nuclear Bombs
If you talk about Las Vegas, you probably think of an incredible array of casinos and colorful entertainment. But this was not always so. In the mid-20th century, the relatively young city of Las Vegas had few gambling establishments and mostly local visitors. In 1951, the U.S. Department of Energy conducted nuclear tests only 100 kilometers from Las Vegas. By 1963, they detonated more than 1,000 nuclear warheads on that site.
At the time, people did not know about the damage radiation could pose. As a result, the explosions became a popular tourist attraction. People came to Las Vegas to see the spectacle, and that’s what made the city popular. They gave out pamphlets and calendars to tourists, listing the test dates and places where to watch the explosions. Vegas venues began hosting themed parties, and casino bars offered "nuclear cocktails."
Casino Players’ Self-Exclusion
Unfortunately, some players can get too involved while gambling. Recognizing that this can lead to addiction and other unpleasant consequences, casinos offer visitors the option of "self-exclusion." Players who feel an unhealthy urge to gamble can contact the casino management and ask to be blacklisted for a specific period of time or permanently. From that moment on, the access to all games is prohibited for that player. Both physical and online establishments offer this option.
Numerous fascinating stories and facts surround the world of gambling. And millions of players who regularly enjoy online and offline casinos multiply those facts daily.