Switzerland - the first casinos of the XIX century

Swiss casinos grew out of 19th-century resort culture. Spa cities and lake resorts attracted audiences from all over Europe: during the day - water, walks and concerts, in the evening - balls, theater and games. On this wave, Baden (canton of Aargau) and Lugano (canton of Ticino) became early points of crystallization of the Swiss gambling tradition. Their "kurzals" - multifunctional holiday homes with concert halls, a restaurant, terraces and gambling parlors - formed the fashionable leisure of the era and set the architectural code for future casinos.

Context of Europe: resorts, railways and "belle époque"

Resort economy. In the second half of the 19th century, the European elite discovered spa treatments and climate resorts. The influx of guests requires a new leisure infrastructure - from philharmonic societies to gambling parlors.

Railways. The track network connects Zurich, Basel, Milan, Genoa: it becomes convenient to get to Baden and Lugano, tourist traffic is growing.

Era style. The architecture of the kurzals combines classical and neo-Renaissance motifs, interiors - halls with parquet, chandeliers, winter gardens, verandas overlooking a park or lake.

Baden: baths, kurzal and "evening program"

Spa tradition. Baden has been known for thermal springs since antiquity; in the XIX century, the resort is experiencing a renaissance.

Kurzal as a "meeting house." Under one roof there is a restaurant, a concert stage, a ballroom and gambling rooms. The game is part of the secular protocol after concerts and dinners.

Audience and games. Travelers from Zurich and Basel, entrepreneurs, officers on vacation. In fashion - roulette, trente-et-quarante, baccarat; rates restrained, etiquette strict.

Urban fabric. Hotels, promenades, water park; posters of concert nights and charity balls coexist with "soirées de jeu."

Lugano: Italian-language charm and lake season

Frontier geography. Lugano - the "gate" of Italian-speaking Switzerland; the mild climate and lake create a long season.

Kurzal Lugano. Multifunctional playground with terraces and a view of the water: in the afternoon coffee and an orchestra on a gazebo, in the evening - dancing, then cards and roulette.

Audience and mixing cultures. Guests from Lombardy and northern Europe; menu - with Italian flavor, music - from salon waltzes to arias.

Secular habits. The game is the final chord of the program after promenades and visits to salons. Dress code and "good form rules" are mandatory.

Social scene: music, balls, charity

Musical evenings. Chamber concerts, touring pianists, vocal duets. The poster is the main driver of evening traffic.

Balls and masquerades. Seasonal "high weeks" with charity balls and lotteries to benefit urban needs.

Playing as part of etiquette. The stakes are moderate, demonstrative "sharp" scenes avoided; at the tables - a mixture of languages ​ ​ and accents, but general resort politeness.

Rules and regulation: from canton permits to tightening

Local permissions. In the 19th century, admission to games depends on the cantons and city authorities; kurzals operate according to the regime of "meeting houses" with gambling rooms.

Moral debate. As games become more popular, discussions about the impact on mores intensify; authorities are imposing stricter hours, age restrictions and controls.

By the beginning of the XX century. The course of tightening is becoming nationwide: the "golden age" of kurzals is coming to an end, gambling is going through a phase of restrictions, and then a long prohibitive period already in the 20th century. Historic halls either change profile or "freeze" until the future rehabilitation of casinos as cultural and entertainment centers.

Legacy for modernity

Architectural code. Switzerland's modern casinos have inherited the layout of the kurzals: restaurants, stages, terraces, event halls - the game is woven into a wider cultural scenario.

Resort service. The bundle "wellness + gastronomy + events + game" dates back to the 19th century and today is designed in the format of partner packages with hotels and terms.

Cultural memory. Posters, old photographs and concert programs of the late 19th century often become part of museum corners at modern venues.

Mini-chronology (landmarks)

1810-1850s. Increased resort traffic; formation of the salon culture of Baden and Lugano.

1860-1890s. Peak "belle époque": expansion of kurzala infrastructure, fashionable evenings and regular games.

1890-1910s. A wave of restrictions and the growth of public discussions about morality and risks; preparation for the rigid federal line of the 20th century.

Late XX - early XXI century. The return of casinos to the legal and cultural circuit under new, strict conditions: licensing, certification, Responsible Gaming, multi-format events.

Etiquette and Games Guide "Like Then" (for historical flavor)

Roulette and baccarat. Classic formats with clear rates; at the table - moderate volume and attention to signals from the croupier.

Dress code. Evening attire or "spa parade"; gloves and fans - as elements of the style of the era.

The pace of the evening. First music/dinner, then a game for an hour or two, then a walk along the promenades.

Baden and Lugano became the early laboratories of the Swiss casino experience: resort, music, gastronomy and "moderate" game, inscribed in the etiquette "belle époque." Although already at the turn of the century, the course of tightening set a rigid framework for games, the legacy of the 19th century - the architecture of kurzals, the idea of ​ ​ a "cultural evening" and a connection with tourism - formed the foundation on which the mature and responsible Swiss casino industry stands today.