The city of Baiae was once a Roman resort town that was visited by the likes of Emperor Nero, Augustus, and the one and only Julius Caesar. Even though the town now sits in a watery grave, its remnants give evidence of a place that may have been much like the Las Vegas we know today.

The town is submerged four metres beneath the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northwest shore around the Gulf of Naples. Salvage operations have revealed marble columns, marble floors, statues, shrines, porticos, and domed bathhouses. Researchers have called the area an archaeological gold mine.

In ancient times, it seemed to have been a luxurious resort and getaway for the Roman elite. Baiae was a hotspot for aristocrats who could stay in luxury villas while revelling in the entertainment provided.

Notable Romans such as Augustus were known to have gambled profusely in places like Baiae. The emperor was recorded writing a letter to Tiberius stating ‘’We have passed, my dear Tiberius, the feast of Minerva, in great merriment, gambling every day and warming up to the occasion.’’

A treasure trove of evidence suggests that the Romans increasingly engaged in gambling activities at the start of the Roman Empire, and Baiae was certainly the perfect place for these ‘’games of chance’’.

Even though this magnificent town is submerged under the sea, its significance is not lost on historians. People can just imagine what the ‘’Las Vegas’’ of the future will look like a millennium from now. Luxury resorts and gambling will likely still be prevalent in the distant future.

Today, gamblers from all walks of life are spoilt for choice, with access to online casinos and thousands of real money games at the touch of a button. With a thorough review of Griffon Casino, there is no doubt that the notion of luxury entertainment and gambling is still alive and well in society.