The first casinos of the XIX century in Budapest

Buda and Pest of the 19th century are a time of rapid Europeanization: bridges, embankments, theaters, hotels and, of course, the first casinos. In Hungarian tradition, the word kaszinó meant not only the place of the game, but also the club: a reading room, a salon, a space for political conversations, music, dancing and charity balls. From chamber card tables to elegant rooms with roulette and baccarat, a unique urban culture grew on this soil by the end of the century.

1) Origins: clubs and salon games (first half of the 19th century)

Club model. The appearance of "kaszinó" began with closed gentlemen's associations: subscription, recommendations, strict dress code. Here they read newspapers, argued about politics, listened to chamber music - and played whist, picket, fero (pharaon), and later belot.

Social function. Casino clubs were a "social elevator" of the bourgeoisie of Pest and a platform for the aristocracy of Buda: evenings, charity gatherings, masquerades were held here.

Etiquette. Silence at the tables, bets of "polite size," a ban on demonstrative emotions; losing was considered "paying for society."

2) City - bridges and halls: infrastructure and architecture

Urban fabric. With the growth of embankments and squares around the Danube, casinos are moving from chamber apartments to representative buildings: halls with columns, stucco and mirrors, separate smoking and card rooms.

Hotels and restaurants. By mid-century, hotels and restaurants in the center of Pest are opening playrooms: coffee, cognac, music, evening dances - and pairs of card tables.

Style. Neo-Renaissance and eclecticism in the interiors: high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, polished parquet. The window to the street is a "Kaszinó" sign, inside is silence and a quiet orchestra.

3) Rules and supervision: how they played "according to the law"

Police regulations. Game rooms worked with the permission of the authorities: a list of games, opening hours, control of "order." "Noisy scenes" and credit at the table were forbidden.

Membership books and guests. To clubs - by subscription and recommendation; to public halls - on a ticket with a check of age and decency.

Taxes and fees. The owners paid city fees; charity nights and lotteries received official support as "socially beneficial."

4) After 1867: Liberalization and a New Pace

The Austro-Hungarian compromise gave impetus to the urban economy: capital, tourism and MICE audiences poured into Budapest. Casinos are becoming more open, roulette and baccarat halls appear at hotels.

The bridge over the Danube and the embankments connected the evening routes: theater → dinner → casino → ball.

Audience. Officers, industrialists, foreign guests were added to the bourgeois and nobles. Women get their salon nights and charity balls.

5) Games of the century: from cards to wheel

Card favorites. Whist, picket, fero - for the "old school"; belot and basset - for the gambling public. The game of poker is gradually making its way at the end of the century.

Roulette and baccarat. They become a symbol of the "new time" and urban elegance: separate rooms, croupiers with gloves, fixed limits.

Stakes and rituals. Bone/bakelite chips, personal tokens, "house" rules: table limits, pauses between backs, prohibition to "catch up" with credit.

6) Casino economy and city money

Hall revenue. Commission (rake) from banks in card games, "green zero" in roulette, membership fee, evening tickets.

Synergy with the city. Casinos pull restaurants, hiring musicians, artisans, printing houses (posters), cabbies - the night economy develops around the Danube.

Charity. Hungarian clubs willingly arrange lotteries and balls in favor of hospitals, educational institutions, fire brigades.

7) People and customs: what the evening looked like

Dress code. Tailcoat/tuxedo for men, evening dresses for ladies; impeccable gloves at the croupier, polished checkout counter.

Music and light. Live string quartets, candles and gas lamps, then electricity; by midnight the hall is filled with a whisper of bets.

Behavior. The audience appreciates "keeping face": losing - without scenes, winning - without bravado; mandatory tips and thanks to the host of the evening.

8) Shadow and light: the controversy surrounding the game

Criticism. Newspapers scold "nocturnal habits," priests "roulette temptations," the city argues about morality and economics.

The answer. The owners insist on the role of employment, taxes, charitable fees and "civilized rules" against the underground.

Balance. The city leaves the casino in a legal field - with control and restrictions, but recognizes their contribution to the status of the capital.

9) Heritage in the 20th century

The layout and style of the first halls set the canon for future Budapest casinos: separate card rooms, ticket office, wardrobe, lounge.

The route of the city - theater, baths, Danube, casino - survived the epochs and transformed into a modern "night package."

The word "kaszinó" was entrenched as a symbol of urban culture: not only play, but also music, balls, charity, respectability.

Bottom line: the first casinos of the 19th century in Budapest were born from the club culture and European modernization of the capital. They combined play, music and style, taught the city an evening ritual and shaped the economy around the Danube. Their mirrors reflected the aristocracy and the new bourgeoisie, disputes about morality and a taste for life - the mixture from which the unique Budapest "casino-atmosphere" was formed.