The history of online casinos: a fascinating journey

Let's start this journey by looking at the birth of online casinos and the providers that helped make it possible. Although at the beginning everything was quite basic, these companies were quick to adapt and constantly improve their services.

The birth of the Internet and its influence

The Internet has brought convenience and accessibility to the lives of many. From shopping to connecting with friends and eventually online casinos, it has had such a huge influence that it is almost impossible to measure. Virtual casinos quickly became popular mainly because of the unique gaming experience they offer players.

The first online casinos: who and when?

InterCasino was founded in 1996 and is considered as one of the first online casinos. It was very basic. It didn't have a large collection of games. Game play was rather simple and although there were often long delays in payouts, payments could be made online.

The impact of software companies: the role of Microgaming and Cryptologic

After the first online casinos were created, there was a huge demand for software providers. Many companies tried to fill this gap in the market. Thus, there was a big competition, but two companies became the market leaders, Microgaming and Cryptologic. Both were actively involved in the creation and operation of the first ever online gambling website.

Legal and regulatory landscape

As this was a new phenomenon, governments around the world were tasked with implementing some form of law for real money gambling sites. This was necessary to keep players safe and to set a precedent for the future of virtual casinos.

Early challenges

It is not difficult to understand that one of the problems faced by these casinos was trust. Many did not want to provide their personal data on these sites. Casinos were aware of this fact and quickly began to take steps to demonstrate their honesty and commitment to player security. Measures such as SSL encryption and specialised support teams were steps in the right direction for both casinos and players.

Key regulations and laws by region

In 1994, Antigua and Barbuda introduced the first online casino regulation, but it's no longer trusted or enforced. It was followed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission regulatory body in 1996, which is still in operation today.

As for Belgium, the regulation of online gambling has evolved over the years. In 1999, the initial Gambling Act came into force. In 2018, legislation regarding online gaming and betting was further tightened. Royal decrees were introduced that covered virtual sporting events, online advertising and the restrictions on online wagering. Today, Belgium has a robust system in place, ensuring that online gambling is safe and transparent for its residents.

Impact of regulatory changes on the online casino sector

The inclusion of a regulatory body added an extra layer of security to ensure fairness in any type of online gambling. By receiving approval from a regulatory body, casinos can proudly display relevant information related to their licence, which players can easily verify. This helped to overcome the aforementioned trust issues, but did not eliminate them entirely.

Technological developments and their impact

While the introduction of the internet made online casinos possible, there are many other technological advances that have further influenced their growth. One of these is the creation of RNG (random number generators). They are used to determine the outcome of different casino games, such as dice slots and dice games, and ensures that the outcome is completely random.

The user interface of online casinos has also been modernised, as have the graphics of the slots. There are also live casino games, offering players a similar experience of popular table games to that of land-based establishments.

The latest technological advancement revolves around mobile optimisation. Today, all software providers ensure that their titles are suitable for play on a wide range of devices. This includes mobile phones and tablets. Many players appreciate this convenience, and some casinos have even gone a step further by launching apps designed specifically for playing on the go.