Online casino wagering became possible not a long time ago, but since then has already become the most profitable e-commerce sphere in the internet. Combined revenue of thousands gambling sites exceeds $15 billion and million visitors all over the world spend their time in internet casinos. In this article we are going to take a look at how this industry first appeared and what made it possible.
So, first of all appearance of online casino wagering wouldn’t be possible without a gambling software. Fist casino software began to emerge in 1970s with the development of computer technologies. In the beginning all slot machines installed in brick-and-mortar gambling establishments were mechanical. However, in 70s so-calledelectromechanical slots were developed. They offered much more features, betting options, better quality of graphics, animation, sounds, music and so on. Therefore, it is not surprising that they finally began to replace mechanical slots from land-based casinos. After slot machines software, gambling software for some other games as blackjack and baccarat was developed as well.
However, all this software would have been absolutely useless without a central server that could store all gaming applications and allow players to gamble for real money. Such server appeared after the launching of the worldwide web called internet. In the beginning, the speed of internet connection was extremely low as it was used just for simplest forms of communication. However, internet technologies were developing in leaps and bounds and nowadays practically everyone has a computer with fast internet access at home.
The third factor that was obligatory for launching online casino wagering is a regulatory mechanism. Online gambling sites needed to be controlled because internet gambling involved real money. Players needed protection against fraud and rogue sites first of all. In 1994 the first internet casino jurisdiction appeared in Antigua and Barbuda state and started issuing gambling licenses. The whole mechanism is absolutely honest and transparent. Gambling site applies for a license. Experts of the regulative body examine all its features, including assortment of games, custom support service, house edges in games, security of money transactions and so on. If all factors meet the requirements of the regulative body, then a gambling site in question gets a license. Nowadays, there are various regulative bodies both in Europe and in Pacific regions. Every large gambling site should definitely have a license that acts as aguarantee of its reliability and honesty.
So, what software provider is credited for putting all these factors all together and creating the first internet casino in the world? Microgaming software provider is usually called the first one as this company designed the first online casino software in the world. However, it was Cryptologic that introduced safe and secure mechanism for money transactions to online casino operators. Its first gambling site InterCasino was launched in 1996 and allowed players to gamble for real money thanks to the eCash applications. Therefore it’s hard to judge whether Microgaming or Cryptologic is credited for the launching of the first online casino.
Since mid 1990s, online casino wagering industry has gained incredible popularity all over the world. Right now there are more than 2 thousands various internet casinos powered by various online casino software providers.
Tags: Microgaming, online casino history