Times are changing, and so is the wonderful world of casinos. If before, casino players need to spend their time and money traveling or commuting to the establishments that host these casino games, this is not the only option nowadays. Today, thanks to the emergence of Internet-based casinos, casino enthusiasts can play their favorite games anytime and anywhere.
Do you want to discover the perks these online casinos can give you? There are several options online regarding where you can play these casino games, and there are websites like GambleGuys Canada that can help you find the best casino platforms that suit your needs.
In this article and presentation, we will travel back to learn about online casinos’ fascinating history. Read on.
How Online Casinos And Gambling Started: The Roots
According to historical accounts, casinos have been present since the 17th century, but online casinos are a relatively new phenomenon. The first Internet gambling websites were launched live only during the mid-1990s. For instance, the best Internet gambling platforms started operating out of the country of Antigua and Barbuda due to its Free Trade and Processing Act. This bill provided this tiny Caribbean country the right to grant licenses to businesses that are interested in launching online casinos, thereby spawning a new industry.
Around this same time, among the industry’s biggest software providers, Microgaming rose to prominence. Throughout the history of online gambling, this software provider has become renowned as one of the leading lights that revolutionized online gambling virtually.
As a matter of fact, even today, Microgaming is touted as among the most trusted software providers in the online gaming industry. This software currently supports various types of Internet gaming sites, from poker rooms to casinos and everything in between.
The Further Development Of Online Gambling
Another major breakthrough in the history of online gambling came about after the formation of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in 1996. Managed and owned by a Mohawk Indian tribe in Canada, this commission was established with the objective of issuing gaming licenses.
The formation and emergence of this commission coincided with the launch of the first online gambling sites, though which platform came first is subject to debate. Various historical accounts have their respective versions. Some say the first virtual platform in this arena is InterCasino, while others insist it is Microgaming.
In 1995, GamingClub, which Microgaming built, was launched. Following this conception, the online gambling industry further expanded. By the end of 1996, it has been said there were around 15 Internet gambling platforms and sites in operation. Furthermore, by the end of 1997, the industry has exploded with over 200 online casinos, sportsbooks, and poker sites in existence worldwide, with annual revenues approaching $1 billion.
The Rise Of Sports Betting
There are several types of games when talking about online casinos, and these include sports betting. In the following paragraphs, you will learn and get to know about the rise of sports betting, so stick around.
In 1996, InterTops became the first-ever platform to offer new ways for fans and bettors to wager on their favorite teams. This initial success of this platform was followed by rapid development. Within just two years, some of the top bookmakers worldwide, including Ladbrokes and William Hill, had opened their own Internet gambling sites.
At the start, these websites provided punters with big bonuses and cashback offers as incentives to gamble over the Internet. As the market matured, there were also changes in the availability of these deals. However, the modern Internet gambling climate is still a Mecca for bonuses, especially if you know where to look for them.
Betfair And The Continuous Boom Of Online Gambling
Another interesting trend in the arena of online sports betting happened in 2000 after the emergence of Betfair. This online gambling platform took sports betting to a whole new level with its very own way, peer-to-peer wagering. Almost distinct and never-heard-yet-before in the industry, this system allowed players to make bets amongst themselves while the platform earned commissions from each wager.
Two years after the advent of Betfair, the online gambling industry enjoyed yet another boom with in-play sports betting. Live sports betting rose in popularity not long after, especially since it can be done via devices like desktops and mobile phones.
Then Came Online Poker
Another type of game that people can play in online casinos is online poker. The first online gambling platform to offer poker is Planet Poker. Launched in 1998, this site quickly attracted a massive number of players, including World Series of Poker bracelet winner Chris “Jesus” Ferguson. In spite of the technical problems that have plagued this site, several people became interested in this type of game.
This then led to the rise of new poker sites like Paradise Poker, Partypoker, PokerStars, and more. Paradise Poker was started in 1999 from a base in Costa Rica before quickly becoming the most significant player in the industry. Thousands of players crammed into the site each day.
Two years after Paradise Poker was launched, Partypoker and PokerStars came about in 2001. They soon became the top two online gambling platforms in the world. PokerStars ushered the online poker industry into further expansion through its Internet tournament satellites.
Internet Gaming And UIGEA
Politics is also playing a considerable role in the history of online gambling and casinos. Around the mid-1990s, United States politicians passed UIGEA or the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act. This act made it illegal or unlawful to deposit and withdraw funds to and from an Internet gambling platform. This led to confusion in Internet poker and Internet gambling in the United States in general. Many poker and online gambling websites were forced to close their doors to American players. However, UIGEA is only focused on payment methods.
Despite the closing down of some sites, some platforms continued to accept American players. These included Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, and PokerStars. Unfortunately, though, in 2011, the United States government seized and cracked down on these websites, leading to these companies’ shutdown. This event has been known as the “Black Friday” in the online poker world.
Though online casino games are popular, many operators are challenged by the legal boundaries they face even today.
Online Casinos And Their Future
The world of online casinos has indeed had its fair share of ups and downs, yet the future is bright for these kinds of gaming. For example, the European continent is now more open to recognizing Internet gambling as a legal activity, and the United States is also starting to adopt this mindset, unlike before. In fact, and perhaps unbeknownst to you, many online gambling platforms are working hard to lobby politicians, and the boom of this industry will continue over the following years.