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History of Online Gambling 
 
Gambling online is relatively new but in the internet world it started just as soon as the speed of connection was sufficient to support real-time transactions. It was an obvious fit, virtual recreation of casino games in your home with high level security. It was immediate, accessible and safe.

1994
This was the watershed year. Antigua and Barbuda, an aspiring small nation, had the forethought to adopt a legal framework so that they could license online operators and therefore generate revenue streams from doing so. The first fully functional gambling software was developed by Microgaming, an Isle of Man-based software company. This was secured with software developed by CryptoLogic, an online security software company. Both big names today.

CryptoLogic was first to go live with their InterCasino brand and first to offer casino bonuses. Back then software had to be downloaded onto a PC/laptop so that the games were just receiving live feeds from the operator and the processing of the graphics was done by your own hardware. Communication speeds were too slow for live interaction with a server based suite of games.

1996
Kahnawake Gaming Commission was created in the Quebec region of Canada. They asserted that the jurisdiction to enact the Kahnawake Gaming Law is an aspect of Kahnawake's Mohawk or "aboriginal rights". They have never been challenged by the state or federal government. This Commission established a precedent for other "First Nation" communities around the world, particularly USA and Australia, to establish online casinos.

Games that can be played in these casinos are all agreed with the state government and are many but with large casinos the odd one or two unusual table games can be accommodated. They are very much the games you can find around the world in the larger casinos.

1998
On 1 January 1998 Planet Poker dealt a $3–$6 game of Texas hold 'em poker. They had just a handful of players and it took until February for their game to run 24 hours through the night and into the next day. Nearly all the players were using dial-up Internet access.

Microgaming launch the first progressive slot called Cash Splash. By the end of the year there are 700 real money online casinos.

1999
Paradise Poker arrives with superior software and becomes the market leader.

2000
All major operators in the UK have an online presence but two thirds of the $2.2 billion worldwide revenue comes from US players. Betting exchanges begin with the start of Betfair. Cryptologic began to trade on the NASDAQ stock exchange under CRYP.

The Interactive Gambling Moratorium Act was passed by the Australian Federal Government. This Act made it illegal for any Australia-based online casino or Sportsbook, not operating prior to May 2000, to operate.
2001
8 million online players and UK territories, Isle of Man, Alderney and Gibralter begin issuing licences.

2003
888.com started.

2005
The 2005 UK Gambling Act creates the most liberal and stable gambling environment in the world. partyGaming, Playtech and 888.com go public on the stock market.

2006
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) is United States legislation regulating online gambling was passed by the back door under the Safe Port Act. The UIGEA "prohibits gambling businesses from knowingly accepting payments in connection with the participation of another person in a bet or wager that involves the use of the Internet and that is unlawful under any federal or state law. Trouble is it did not define what unlawful gambling is and still does not. Many world players withdraw from the US market and lose huge volumes of revenue.

Arrest of BetOnSports CEO, David Caruthers, in July.

2007
Original poker provider Planet Poker suspended real money due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006.

2008
Worldwide revenue surpasses $20 Billion.

2010
Over 1000 online casinos. PartyGaming and Bwin merge to form a company valued at over $3 billion, the largest public gaming company in the world.

2011
MegaFortune slot pays a Norwegian student $11.7 million. "Black Friday" in the USA as the government shuts down Pokerstars and FullTilt.

2013
The world goes mobile. Mobile gaming hits $10 billion. Social Gambling explodes with casino gaming accounting for 20% of the $8 billion social gaming market.

2016
Online gambling market reaches $45 billion.

 

 
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