People have always enjoyed a wager, and since man first populated this planet, games of chance have provided entertainment in every society. The technology explosion of the 1960s led to the development of the Internet, and in the mid-1990s, the first online casino opened, bringing the casino to a new dimension. It took a few years to catch on, but with ongoing software development and faster Internet speeds, the industry soon moved into the billion dollar status, and it hasn’t looked back since.
The Early Days
In 1994, Antigua introduced the Free Trade & Processing Act, which enabled online casinos to obtain licenses to operate. The gaming firm, Microgaming, were involved with early online casino software development, and they partnered with CryptoLogic, an online security software company, to develop secure financial transactions that allowed people to place bets and receive winnings online.
Multi-Player Online Gambling
Such was the technology, that in 1999, it was first possible to communicate with other players while using an online casino, and this led to a strong increase in not only the number of users, but also the number of online casinos, which are now carefully regulated.
Billion Dollar Industry
In 2008, there were estimates of worldwide revenue at around $21 billion, and that has almost doubled in the following 8 years, making online casinos one of the biggest money earners ever. From the player’s perspective, online casinos offer many attractions, with new players receiving generous bonuses and free spins, and with million dollar jackpots, you can become rich overnight. There are always new casinos in the UK, and by sourcing a website that is designed to give the online player assistance, you can find out about the best deals.
Online Slots
A majority of players like to stick with the slots, and modern variations include wild themes with attractive, high resolution graphics, making the playing experience richer. There are complex network prizes that accumulate, and with a 5 dollar spin, it is possible to win several million dollars, and this is one of the attractions of online casinos.
Traditional Casino Games
Poker, roulette, and blackjack all have a place in the online casino, and there are, of course, variations in the design. Ideally, you want to do some extensive research before registering with any online casino, as there are always new promotions, and if you read some reviews, you can get a feel of the establishment prior to joining.
Free Spins
All online casinos will offer the new player a range of incentives, which usually come in the form of free spins. Cash bonuses are also on offer, and spending a few hours surfing the Internet will provide you with valuable information about deals for new players.
Online casinos attract people from all walks of life, and if you have an hour to spare at any time, you can login with your mobile device and play to your heart’s content. The future of this industry looks set to continue its growth, and with new innovations with virtual reality, who knows where it will end?