In 1638, the Ridotto, the first state-run casino of the modern era, was established in Venice. Located in Palazzo Dandolo, now part of the Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, the Ridotto became, for 136 years, a major attraction for gamblers from all over Europe, transforming Venice into a hub of gambling.
Its opening marked a pragmatic shift by the Venetian government: instead of fighting gambling, it monopolized its profits. Gambling was banned everywhere except at the Ridotto, which became the symbol of the “state-casino.” The rules were clear: only patricians could run the gambling tables, wearing wigs and black robes to signify their noble status, while the players were required to wear masks, creating the illusion of social equality.
Initially open only during Carnival, the Ridotto later received special licenses for other periods, becoming the main attraction in Venice for foreign visitors. As Goldoni recalls, it enriched some, ruined others, but drew players from all over the world, generating vast flows of money.
