The Ridotto: a government-run casino

Venice opens a public gambling house during Carnival so the state, not back rooms, takes the cut.

In 1638 Venice's Great Council opened the Ridotto, a wing of a palace where anyone in a mask could gamble during Carnival. Only nobles could deal the games, and the house kept an edge on every one.

It ran until 1774, when the city closed it over the fortunes lost there. It's often called the first casino: a place open to the public that exists to run games of chance for profit.

💡 Why it made sense then

Gambling was happening anyway. A licensed house let the state control it and collect from it.

🎮 In Journey Shares

The city's casino works the same way: every game pays back a little less than it takes in, and you play with chips bought at the cage.

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