For anyone wondering, assuming breaks can be put anywhere, here is some code I wrote up in python really quickly to find valid morse combinations. (there seem to be ~250,000)
you can scan through the list to see if anything english like pops out.
You should definitely check out our app we made recently, Morse. It allows you to send messages in Morse code, and when you receive any text message, it vibrates the message in Morse code, so you never have to pull your phone out to know what someone texts you! It is on google play right now.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fractyldev.fractyl.morse
The source is actually a blog for Clone Hero. One of the mods on the subreddit here said that there was a "secret" hidden in the blog, so I went to find it. I couldn't find anything about what the Morse code meant, so I attempted to translate it myself
https://clonehero.net/2019/09/26/calm-before-the-storm.html https://streamable.com/81e7a
You can try Morse Machine, it's works well, then Morse Trainer. Use the Farnsworth setting so you hear it at real speed but get more time between each caracter, then improve speed by reducing time between caracters and you'll soon be fluent. Morse Machine : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.iu4apc.morsemachine
Morse Trainer : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wolphi.morsetrainer
I know I'm late to this post, but we recently came out with an app called Morse, it has lots of learning features, and it also will vibrate the content of your text messages in morse code aswell, so you don't need to take your phone out of your pocket!!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fractyldev.fractyl.morse
A "real telegraph" as you call it would be a morse key, a couple of batteries, a long pair of wires and a sounder.
But in a casino, the people falling over the wires would be a dead give away.
What you probably saw would be a morse key with a miniature radio transmitter and a radio receiver, perhaps with earpiece.
In other words, nothing old at all. Radio Hams are still enthusiastically using Morse code today.
You can still buy a WW2 pilots morse key that can be strapped to your leg.
Or just buy a modern one.
Plans to make a miniature morse transmitter and receiver can be found in any of the Ham books and magazines.
They have CW style keyboards (Android at least, Apple I'm unsure...) - this one gets good reviews but might want to search for others to try.