📜 1990s: The Birth of Online Casinos
- 1994: The first online casino is launched in Antigua and Barbuda, paving the way for online gambling.
- 1996: The introduction of the first secure online payment system revolutionizes the industry.
- 1999: Several online casinos begin offering live dealer games, enhancing player engagement.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | First online casino launched. |
| 1996 | Introduction of secure payment systems. |
| 1999 | Launch of live dealer games. |
📈 2000s: Expansion and Regulation
- 2003: Online gambling regulations begin to take shape in various jurisdictions.
- 2006: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is enacted in the USA.
- 2009: PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker gain widespread popularity among online players.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Online gambling regulation starts. |
| 2006 | UIGEA enacted, impacting online casinos. |
| 2009 | Rise of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. |
🌍 2010s: Innovation and Market Growth
- 2011: Several US states begin to regulate online poker, a first since UIGEA.
- 2017: The UK Gambling Commission introduces stricter regulations for online gambling.
- 2019: The launch of innovative technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) casinos.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011 | US states regulate online poker. |
| 2017 | New regulations by the UK Gambling Commission. |
| 2019 | Emergence of VR casinos. |
🚀 2020s: The Rise of Mobile and Cryptocurrency
- 2020: The pandemic accelerates the shift towards online gambling.
- 2021: Mobile gaming becomes a dominant force, surpassing desktop usage.
- 2022: Cryptocurrency payments are increasingly adopted by online casinos.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Pandemic boosts online gambling. |
| 2021 | Mobile gaming dominates the market. |
| 2022 | Rise of cryptocurrency in online casinos. |