Most of the spa towns in Germany have their own casino. Baden-Baden, Wiesbaden, Bad Wiessee and Bad Ems are among the most popular spa towns. Why is there such a strong connection between such relaxation cities, i.e. spa towns and gambling services? To be able to answer this question we must go back a while.

Nowadays typical casino services or other games of chance are quickly and easily available for everyone. Casinos offer different terminals with all the possible slots or table games. Those interested can gamble away anytime in the large casinos at real tables and slot machines or they are invited to special events with a supporting programme to be able to sample their services.

And then of course there is the internet which is an attraction with its thousands of online casinos. These casinos are available constantly and from every location. Besides these advantages, through the live casinos, VR-Games, and other innovations they provide the guests with experiences which come close to those in real casinos or even exceed them in some ways.

In short: There are enormous possibilities to gamble in a casino. However, it was not always so. Around 150 years ago, when casinos had experienced their first boom, only a few people could try their luck there. Normal citizens had no access and even no capital to play Roulette for example. At the same time in the spa cities there was no place for the great masses.

The “royalty” met in the well-known spa locations in the 19th. century

The most well-known spa cities in Germany have a long casino tradition. Some of the casinos there emerged way back in the 18th. century. Seeing them today there is no logical connection between spas and casino games. However, in previous times they both complemented each other very well.

The 19th.century noble and the rich spent the summer months in the respective spa resorts. They were pampered and relaxed during treatments in healing waters or massages. They walked along the splendid parks, drunk tea and found pleasure in culinary delights.

A suitable programme was prepared for them so that they did not get bored in the evening. Besides performances or dance events in the splendid halls, they were entertained in casinos and took special interest in the games there.

The latter were usually reserved for the males, and for the stressed husbands it provided a good opportunity to spend some time without their wives. They amused themselves by drinking cognac and smoking cigars and it was not the first time that they gambled away a lot of cash.

The necessary loose cash was readily available in the higher circles. Besides offering the desired diversion, the spa evenings were also the ideal nurturing ground for casinos and their successful operation. Therefore, most casinos settled in the respective spa cities.

When were the first casinos in Europa established?

Gambling has been taking place for thousands of years – the first real casino was however first opened in the 17th. century. The original casino of Venice is the mother of all casinos. It was launched as a centre where gambling could be regulated for the yearly Carnival.

Other European cities quickly followed this example. In the middle of the 18th.century Roulette was established, and it had so many followers that there was a real casino boom.

The ban on games of chance in England and France made the German spa casinos stronger.

In the middle of the 19th, century Germany was the casino hotspot of Europe. The reason being: England and France had a ban on games of chance. Thus, many of the large European casinos had to close.

There were many noble and rich people in these countries who were looking for a suitable alternative. The members of the fine society thus chose to travel to Germany and its spa cities to fulfil their wishes of playing games of chance. 

Traditional casinos keep up with times

One wonders how many of the traditional casinos managed to uphold their business in spa cities over such a long time. Things have changed a long time ago and it is not only the noble or people with large wallets who go there for treatments. However old spa resorts still have a certain exclusivity, and this fact attracts several high spending tourists.

The casinos nurture their good reputation, but they also keep up with times. All games of chance fans can take a place at the tables there or use the casino services. Here and there is still the splendour which had once attracted the European noble families. However, besides the classic tables most often there are also digital slot machines, as we know them from the online casinos.

Conclusion

Meanwhile there are only a few people who gamble in real casinos in spa locations and even less in older ones there. It is definitely much easier and even more profitable to sit comfortably at the computer or use a mobile phone. However, if there is ever the opportunity to gamble in a real traditional casino it is definitely worth the unique experience.

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/de-de/foto/menschen-sitzung-wetten-kasino-7594352/

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