Alessandro Marino writes about the buildings gambling happens in and the history behind them: the Venetian ridotto, the spa casinos of the nineteenth century, the halls that are still open today.
He works from documented sources — opening dates, laws, building records, museum catalogues — and cites them. Where a story survives only as an anecdote, he presents it as a legend rather than as fact.
His rule is simple: a date that cannot be traced to a source does not belong in an article. That applies to the famous stories as much as to the obscure ones.
"A gambling hall is a document. What it was built to make people feel is written into its floor plan." — Alessandro Marino, CasinoLobi.net
Alessandro Marino writes for CasinoLobi about the architecture and history of Italian gambling houses.
He traces how gambling venues were built and regulated in Italy, from the Venetian ridotto to the halls still operating today.
Published records: opening dates, laws, building documentation and museum catalogues. Undocumented stories are marked as legends.
In the CasinoLobi Blog section, with deep dives into the architecture, history and legends of Italian gambling.
No. He covers the whole span, from the seventeenth century to the buildings that are open now.
Immerse yourself in the hidden secrets of Italian casino architecture, where history and design blend in a whirlwind of emotions and exclusive mysteries for gambling enthusiasts in Italy.
Explore more
Italian Renaissance masterpieces come alive in modern slot machines: from the Mona Lisa to the Sistine Chapel, discover how timeless art creates unforgettable gaming experiences.
Explore more
Beneath imperial palaces, dice rolled in candlelight while emperors lost fortunes overnight. The forgotten legends of Rome's underground casinos prove that the Italian thrill at the green table is two thousand years old.
Explore more