The great people of the casino world

Before online casinos, progressive jackpots, online dice slots, and multiplier-packed minigames, there were… pioneers. Visionaries, risk-takers, innovators, and even unexpected personalities who each, in their own way, left their mark on the history of the casino.
At Casino1, we love stories that stand out. So here’s a quick journey through history to meet 4 great people who changed casino games forever.

🎩 François Blanc: the magician of Monte Carlo

Before Monaco became a symbol of luxury and games of chance, it was François Blanc pulling the strings. Nicknamed “the magician of Monte Carlo,” this visionary Frenchman cofounded the Société des Bains de Mer in 1863 and launched the Monte Carlo Casino in grand style.
But his real stroke of genius? With his brother Louis, he co-created European roulette, the version you know today: a single zero (instead of the double zero in American roulette), less favorable for the house but much more attractive to players. The result? Everyone rushed to his tables, and success never stopped. We owe him a big part of the popularity of roulette as we know it.

🛠️ Charles Fey: the tinkerer who changed everything

In the 1890s, the first slot machines were still basic: an attendant had to pay out winnings, often in tickets or tokens. That’s when Charles Fey, a German-American mechanic in San Francisco, stepped in. In 1895, he created a modified version of the “Horseshoe,” which automatically paid out in coins. A revolution. The success was immediate. The following year, he opened his own workshop. And in 1898, he invented the Liberty Bell, a machine with three reels and simple mechanics. Three bells in a row? Jackpot: 50 cents. The Liberty Bell quickly became the most popular machine of its time, installed in saloons across the West Coast.
His creation gave birth to the entire lineage of slot machines (including the formats we still see in today’s online games). His name remains engraved in history as the father of slot machines.

👩 Judy Bayley: the First Lady of Gambling

If you think the world of casinos was always run by men, let us introduce Judy Bayley, affectionately known as the First Lady of Gambling. After her husband’s death, Judy took sole control of the Hacienda, a landmark hotel-casino on the Strip. With no formal training in management but a natural talent for entertainment and customer relations, she revived the venue. She oversaw everything: from adding new casino games to promoting the hotel, even designing the signage.
But Judy didn’t stop there. She transformed the Hacienda showroom into a fundraising space, organized charity events for veterans, children, and research, and left a lasting mark on the social and cultural life of Las Vegas.
A true pioneer with a big heart, she turned gaming into a real driver of generosity.

🎓 Sarann Knight-Preddy: the trailblazing activist

Another woman, another path. Sarann Knight-Preddy made history as the first African-American woman to receive a gaming license in Nevada. That was in 1951. And it was only the beginning.
An entrepreneur, activist, and local politician, she opened her own casino, the Tonga Club, in a Las Vegas still scarred by segregation. She fought for greater inclusivity in the gaming industry, and her story commands respect.
Her legacy? Proving that the casino world could also be a place of empowerment.

In short?

If you thought the world of casinos was only about tables, dice games, and stakes, these four stories prove otherwise. Behind the slots and the glitter are tales of passion, boldness, strategy, and sometimes struggle.
And at Casino1, we like to believe we follow in that tradition: doing things differently, imagining the future of gaming, and giving you an experience with style, ambition, and real personality.

👉 Now it’s your turn to play!