What is the Oldest Casino Game Still Played Today?

The world of casinos has fascinated people for centuries, and one question that often intrigues enthusiasts is: what is the oldest casino game still practiced today? Contrary to a popular belief, it is not Baccarat. This article, based on historical sources and verified facts, explores the true ancestors of casino games: dice games and Keno.

Baccarat: A Legend, But Not the Oldest Game

Although Baccarat is now an iconic casino game, it is far from being the oldest. Its origin dates back to the 15th century in Italy, where it was played by the Florentine aristocracy in a rudimentary form. Imported to France during the reign of Charles VIII, it quickly became popular among the French nobility, especially with the Chemin de Fer variant.

However, despite its prestige and relative age, Baccarat is a “modern” game compared to the true ancestors of the casino. Unlike dice games and Keno, which date back thousands of years, Baccarat emerged much later in the history of gambling. Additionally, the first official gaming houses, such as the Ridotto in Venice in 1638, primarily offered card and dice games, but not Baccarat in its current form.

The frequent association of Baccarat with antiquity mainly stems from its timeless image of elegance and its constant presence in major European and international casinos. But in reality, its history, though rich, does not rival that of dice or Keno, whose archaeological traces and historical accounts attest to a much older existence.

In short, while Baccarat remains a pillar at casino tables, it cannot claim the title of the oldest casino game still practiced.

The True Oldest Casino Games

Dice: The Oldest Game of Chance

Dice games date back over 5000 years. Archaeological excavations in Mesopotamia have uncovered dice made of bone, proving their ancient origins. These games were already practiced in Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, where they were used for both entertainment and divination.

In Ancient Rome, dice were used not only by soldiers but also by Roman citizens in gambling games. There are also references to dice games in Greek mythology, where it is said that the gods of Olympus divided the universe by casting dice.

Dice have evolved over time, from bone objects to versions made of ivory, then wood, and finally plastic. Today, Craps, very popular in Las Vegas casinos, is directly inspired by these ancient games of chance.

Evolution of Dice Game Rules: From Randomness to Strategy

Initially, dice games were purely based on chance, used for divinatory drawings or rudimentary betting games. Over time, certain civilizations introduced more complex rules, giving rise to games where players could influence the outcome with their decisions.

In Ancient Rome, soldiers bet on specific combinations by rolling the dice, a practice that inspired the English medieval game Hazard.
In the 18th century, Hazard was simplified in France, giving rise to Craps, a version where the rules structured the betting phases and probabilities.
Today, modern Craps relies on specific rolls (Pass Line, Don’t Pass, Come Bets), offering a mix of chance and strategy.

Keno: An Ancient Chinese Game

Keno appeared in China over 2000 years ago, where it was used to finance the construction of the Great Wall of China. This lottery game allowed citizens to bet on series of symbols, initially inspired by Chinese calligraphy.

A legend tells that a Chinese general used Keno to raise funds when the state's finances were at their lowest. Over time, the game spread across Asia and evolved by replacing Chinese symbols with numbers to cater to players worldwide.

When it was introduced to the West, notably to the United States in the 19th century by Chinese immigrants, the game changed again to adopt a format closer to modern lotteries. Today, it is omnipresent in both land-based and online casinos, with digital versions offering progressive jackpots and instant draws.

Evolution of Keno Rules: From Handwritten to Digital Draws

The Keno, as it was practiced in ancient China over 2000 years ago, was played with ideograms engraved on wooden or bamboo tablets. It has undergone several transformations to adapt to its time.

In Ancient China, players selected symbols from a set of 120 characters.
With its introduction in the West in the 19th century, the game replaced Chinese characters with numbers from 1 to 80, making it easier to understand.
The digital era brought instant random draws, progressive jackpots, and interactive variants in online casinos.

Why Are These Games the Oldest?

The antiquity of dice games and Keno is confirmed by archaeological artifacts, such as dice found in Egyptian tombs, and mentions in ancient texts. Their universal simplicity and adaptability have ensured their survival over the centuries. The example of Egyptian frescoes depicting pharaohs playing dice beautifully illustrates the importance of these games in ancient societies.

Conclusion: A Millennia-Old Legacy Still Alive

Dice games and Keno are not only the oldest casino games, but they also represent a millennia-old legacy. Playing these games today means participating in a tradition that is thousands of years old, while enjoying a modernity that has continually enriched their rules and formats.

_Sources:_{Museum of Gaming in Las Vegas & History of Gambling – Cambridge University Press}