The online casino landscape has grown significantly in the space of just a couple of decades. From its initial start in the 1990s to the many online casinos of today, it has undergone a rapid evolution and expansion.
From the technological advancements that have made new formats like live casinos possible to the development of fusion games, join us as we explore the journey and evolution of online casinos so far.
Online casinos get their start
Obviously, casinos have been around for a lot longer than the internet or even computers. The first casinos opened their doors hundreds of years ago, but we still play many of the same games today.
When the internet started to become increasingly ubiquitous and accessible during the 1990s this led to plenty of different industries experimenting with the new technology. Casinos were no different, with developers figuring out how to bring classic table games like Blackjack and Roulette to the digital format.
A software company known as Microgaming was the first to debut a fully functional online casino platform in 1994. This was complimented by the development of Cryptologic’s secure online financial transaction capabilities.
Early online casinos were a far cry from what they look like today, but they laid the groundwork for future developments and the digital era of casino games.
Growth in the 2000s
It wasn’t until after the turn of the millennium that online casinos really began to catch their stride. Improving computer technology and internet infrastructure allowed for games with better graphics and smoother connectivity.
Not only were games less pixelated, they could now incorporate higher-quality graphics, music and sound effects. With the increasing proliferation of broadband more players were able to access online casinos and play digital varieties of classic table games and modern Slots.
At the same time online, payment methods continued to improve in terms of their efficiency and security, in large part thanks to strengthening encryption technology.
The rise of mobile technology
One of the biggest shifts in the online casino landscape came with the rise of smartphones and tablets during the 2010s. Once again, improved technology helped to push forward digital casino games to become more accessible and user-friendly.
Online casino sites implemented user interfaces optimized for mobile devices, as well as dedicated apps for specific games.
Another big development during this decade was the creation of live dealer games, which brought together online play with elements of land-based casino gameplay. Developers had played with the idea of bringing live dealers to online players before but were limited by the technology of previous decades.
Live-streaming technology, higher-quality cameras, and more powerful devices all came together to allow for the integration of live dealers with players who were accessing the game online. This created a very different gameplay experience compared to fully digital games, expanding the options available at online casinos.
Conclusion
Evolving technology has been the primary driver of the development of online casino games over the last few decades. As technology never stops its forward march, who knows what could be next in the journey of online casino sites.
