The first London (semi-private) club devoted mostly to gambling, White’s, opened in 1697. These clubs were an outgrowth of earlier coffee and chocolate houses, where like-minded Londoners gathered to get refreshed, gossip, and do business. It was only a matter of time before some of them agreed that cards and dice were the best business going and formed their own club.
You can read more about London gambling clubs in Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling.
Go here to read an excerpt from the book, or learn where to buy your copy.
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