10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Gambling

Sometimes, we hear facts that are so outlandish and mind-blowing we find them nearly impossible to believe. These types of facts show up in every area of life, including the subject of gambling, and here are ten mind-blowing facts about gambling.

1. Nevada State Prison Had a Casino

It seems too wild to be true, yet for 35 years, inmates operated a casino within the prison. Inmates could place wagers in poker, blackjack, craps, and sports betting with the brass coins they used for day-to-day activities like doing laundry.

The casino was by no means a legal operation; it was just ignored by the prison wardens who felt this kept the inmates busy and, therefore, out of trouble. The casino ran from 1932 (just a year after casinos were legalized in the state) until it was shut down in 1967 by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

2. The World’s Smallest Casino Fits in the Back of a Car

Sitting down at a casino in the backseat of a car sounds like it would have a few logistical issues, but in 2016, Grosvenor’s Casino managed to pull it off. The UK-based casino chain fitted casino amenities into a London taxi cab, delivering the world’s smallest traveling casino.

Casino visitors, or taxi passengers, could pile into the backseat, watch a game on TV, and play a round of blackjack, all while sipping a drink and sightseeing through the iconic landmarks around the UK. The casino was only around for a limited time, touring through the UK in celebration of its thriving sports scene that summer.

3. Roulette’s Magic Number: 666

Roulette, also known as “The Devil’s Wheel,” wasn’t given the nickname because of the immoral or sinful associations gambling has had throughout history. Instead, the name was earned from the realization that the numbers on the roulette wheel add up to the total 666, otherwise known as the Devil’s number.

4. Citizens of Monaco Aren’t Allowed to Game at Casinos

Monaco, a gambling destination with the world-renowned Casino de Monte Carlo, has an unexpected rule for its residents: Monegasques are not legally allowed to gamble at the country’s land-based casinos. While tourists are free to come and go from casinos, residents do not have the same opportunity.

5. Voluntary Self-Exclusions Apply to Land-Based Casinos

If you explore casino bonuses for new users or already gamble online, you’ve likely come across responsible gambling tools, including deposit limits, gameplay timers, and self-exclusion options. These tools help limit problematic gambling behavior to protect players. However, you may not have realized that one these unexpectedly carries through to physical, or land-based, casinos. The tool? The self-exclusion option.

With self-exclusion tools, players can voluntarily limit or completely restrict access to an online casino, which is something land-based casinos offer too. This tool is available in different areas of the world, including Canada, Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Soon, it will also be available in the US as the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (NVSEP).

6. Las Vegas Isn’t the World’s Gambling Capital

Most people think of Las Vegas when they think of the most popular place in the world to gamble. It turns out, however, that there’s a newer, higher-earning gambling capital in the world: Macao, China. Macao, the only region in China that legally allows gambling, overtook Las Vegas in its earnings for the first time in 2006. That year, Macao generated $6.95 billion, while Las Vegas generated $6.5 billion.

Even with the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, Macao has maintained a lead in gambling revenue. In August 2023, Macao generated $2 billion, while Las Vegas generated $1.2 billion.

7. Blackjack Saved FedEx

Starting any business comes with risk, as does playing a blackjack game. For FedEx’s founder, Fred Smith, his biggest risk as a new business owner was placing the future of his young business on the outcome of the game of blackjack. After being refused more funding, Smith went to Las Vegas with FedEx’s last $5,000 and took a chance. It paid off. Smith walked away with $27,000.

While this sum was an impressive win, it wasn’t enough to get the company back from near bankruptcy. However, for Smith, it was a sign of what was to come. He refocused on the company’s success, and since FedEx is now a household name, it’s safe to say he made it happen.

8. The First Vegas Gaming License Was Issued to a Woman

In 1931, when Las Vegas legalized gambling, Mayme Stocker applied for (and was granted) a gaming license, making her the first licensed gaming operator in Las Vegas. Stocker and her partner Joe Morgan turned Stocker’s Northern Club into an official gambling hall, standing where La Bayou is found today on Las Vegas’s Fremont Street.

9. Slot Machines Used to Dispense Gum

It turns out the use of fruit in slot games isn’t just because of their bright, colorful aesthetic, but hints at the history of slot machines. Slot machines were first developed in the late 1890s, but by the early 1900s, they were restricted. To work around gambling restrictions, slot machines would dispense fruit-flavored gum instead of change. By 1909, this inspired new imagery for the slot machines, the fruit we associate with them today.

10. Las Vegas Boosted Its Revenue Thanks to Atomic Bombs

In the early 1950s, Nevada held atomic bomb testing near the famous city of Las Vegas. While some residents were worried, the city and businesses, including casinos, turned it into an opportunity to boost profits. The city became the “Atomic City,” and casinos started offering atomic-themed drinks and beauty pageants.

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