Historians and archeologists have traced the origin of gambling to the Paleolithic period. That means humans have been gambling before any major civilization was created. It would appear that games of chance are engrained in our DNA.

Another thing that points to this fact is that every civilization, no matter how staunchly against gambling, has developed different games of chance. Some games, like blackjack, baccarat, and slots, have risen to the top. Others have remained obscure or regional.

Online Casinos Elevate Games

However, many less popular or well-known games have gained worldwide attention thanks to the emergence of online casinos. A lot of the games at online casinos like this one are popular ones; slots, roulette, blackjack, and craps, to name a few.

However, when an online casino gets big enough, it also strives to try new things. In this article, we would like to look at some less popular games that most people probably have not heard of yet that are gaining traction at online casinos.

Sic Bo

Though the Chinese government is very strict in its gambling laws, China still has one of the most prolific gambling industries. The reason is Macau, an administrative state of China where gambling is legal. Macau is one of the most popular gambling destinations in the world, rivaling even Las Vegas in gross revenue generation.

You will likely see baccarat, blackjack, and poker tables at Macau's casinos. However, one game you might not recognize so readily. Sic Bo is a popular Chinese dice game, which can most closely be related to craps. However, in truth, there are significant differences.

In Sic Bo, players wager on the outcome of three dice. A dealer holds a special container, where he shuffles the dice before rolling them. Players wager on individual numbers, number combinations, or totals. Sic Bo is almost non-existent in land-based casinos in the West. But online, it is getting some attention.

Cityscape of Macau Island with Grand Lisboa Casino skyscraperiStock

Red Dog

Red Dog is one of those less popular card games that many people have heard of but very few have actually played. That is until it gained major traction at online casinos. Some may also know it under the name Acey-Deucy, but few know its rules.

In truth, the rules of the game are simple. A dealer gives two cards to each player after they've made wagers. The wagers relate to the relationship between the cards. Different outcomes net different payouts, depending on the player's wager.

Punto-Banco

Baccarat is one of the oldest games to be featured at land-based and online casinos. Debate rages on regarding the game's origins. Many believe it first appeared in the 13^th century, while others claim it is much more recent. Regardless, there are quite a lot of different versions of baccarat.

Punto-banco is one of the less-known derivatives of the game. Usually featured in Latin American casinos, Punto-Banco has found a major following online. While not nearly as popular as its predecessor, the game has carved out a niche and has some dedicated players.