Peter Smith
Casinos in the 20th Century
During these times, Europe dominated the casino industry, with many establishments installing slot machines to complement their table game offerings. Gambling was widely illegal in the United States during these times, which continued until 1931, when Nevada legalised gambling to boost its economy, a pivotal moment for casinos. In the 1940s, Las Vegas became the centre of American casino culture, and that culture remains the same to this day.
In the 20th century, casinos experienced a surge in popularity, thanks to technological advances that led to the creation of more games. In the early 20th century, slot machines were invented, with Charles Fey’s Liberty Bell machine being the first. Despite the creation of slot machines, they would not be implemented in casinos until later. The Liberty Bell machine marked a significant milestone in the industry, laying the foundations for subsequent titles, and many modern slots have since implemented similar features.
The early years of these casinos were shrouded in organised crime, which persisted until the 1970s when government regulation reduced mob influence. The casinos ran from mob-run organisations to corporate-owned businesses. Around the same time as the change in casinos, electromechanical slots were introduced.
The Birth of the Online Casino
In 1994, Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade & Processing Act, which legalised online gambling in certain jurisdictions. Following the legalisation, InterCasino was launched in 1996, becoming the first real online casino platform. The InterCasino organisation offered games such as Blackjack, Roulette, and a few online slots, which were in their early stages of development at the time.
The first online casino was a way off from what is seen in the expansive industry today; however, it marked the beginning of the digital shift. The first online casino had a very basic user interface, with simple graphics and slow internet speeds. Despite its limited features, the InterCasino site transformed the industry, enabling gamers to play casino games on mobile devices. Before this innovation, players willing to play games such as Blackjack or Roulette had to visit a brick-and-mortar casino.
As technology advanced, more online casino platforms launched, with faster internet speeds and a wider range of games. The early years of online casinos saw the birth of some notable development studios, such as Microgaming or NetEnt, which remain popular today. Along with the development of the internet, many online casino platforms began offering sports betting or poker rooms.
The Modern Online Casino Boom
After continuous evolution in the 2000s, online casinos began to take shape as a significant force in the gambling industry, with more advanced platforms emerging. With the rise of devices such as smartphones, online casinos experienced increased popularity in the 2010s. The introduction of smartphones enabled gamers to play their preferred games from anywhere, at any time, boosting overall accessibility.
As online casinos grew, live casino games were introduced, offering players gameplay experiences reminiscent of real-time casino environments. These live casino games marked a significant milestone in online casino growth, introducing game shows and many traditional casino games to online platforms. Real-time casino dealers operate these games in a studio reminiscent of a real casino, and there is often increased interactivity, with chat boxes to talk to the dealer or other players. Live casino games are just one of the numerous game types in the iGaming industry today, made possible by innovation.
Modern online casinos have changed significantly across various channels, including payment methods and transaction times. In today's modern UK online casino industry, transactions can be completed in a matter of seconds, making platforms more reliable for players. Additionally, as of late, cryptocurrency has grown massively and has become a notable method of payment in everyday life. Following its growing popularity, the first-ever crypto casino was launched, allowing gamers to deposit funds from their crypto wallets and withdraw in the same way.
In recent years, online casino platforms have begun implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to improve their overall performance. AI has a unique motor learning ability, which can detect trends in players' data and analyse to make specific game recommendations that align with their preferences. Additionally, AI has been implemented in customer support on online casino platforms, often handling frequently asked questions to free up advanced matters for humans.
Peter Smith
