The Evolution of Online Casino Games
The whirling of colours, the happy chime of a bet placed, a spin and hopefully a win, online casino games offer an easily identifiable experience. These games provide a fun way to pass a little time, and a glimmer of potential, wrapped up in a brightly coloured game right on your digital device of choice. Just how did these games evolve from being a strictly regulated in-person experience, to a safely regulated and monitored pastime enjoyed online?
The Casino, a Brief History
The first casinos were houses of gambling originating in Italy in the 17th century, with the very first one being opened in Venice. The Casino di Venezia was located on the Grand Canal and was originally the Theatre Saint Moses and had a special gambling wing for theatregoers to while away the time during intermission. From there, the popularity of casinos grew, and by 1744 there were more than 120 in Venice alone. Many of the very first casino games were in fact based on much older forms of gambling such as card play and dice. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the very first slot machine was created in California by Charles Fey. From there, the casino industry continued to gain popularity as technology offered new and exciting options for players that took advantage of rapidly changing and developing advances.
From Reality to Virtual Reality Gambling
With the advent of technology, it was only a matter of time before casino games began to make their way online. The very first online casino was created in 1994 as the world wide web was beginning to gain popularity in homes across the world. The Gaming Club was created by a software company called Microgaming. That same year, the Free Trade Processing Act was passed in the Carribean nation of Barbuda and Antigua. This act allowed them to regulate online gambling while also giving them the ability to grant licenses to online companies wishing to start virtual casinos. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that many began to view online gambling as a legitimate gaming experience that was regulated and had established controls meant to protect the players and the casinos.
In 1995, CryptoLogic, an online company that specializes in real money transactions online, created InterCasino. InterCasino is the first and oldest online casino still in operation to offer players a chance to win real money in online gambling. Through their revolution of online processing, they were able to ensure that all player transactions remained safe and secure. From there the online world of gambling began to explode. It was long before online gaming sites had to find a way to stand out from their competitors. They began to offer sign up bonuses, new player specials, and themed game play all in an effort to draw in more and more players. This further drove technological advances to create bigger, better games for each emerging generation. This would eventually lead to live dealer games and before too long, the mobile gaming experience. Many casinos have developed their own apps that allow their clientele to access a unique casino experience right from their mobile device.
The face of gaming has greatly changed over a relatively short period of time and it is no wonder that it has gained in popularity! Sites like Health Games offer a unique experience for players wanting a more traditional online casino experience, while supporting physical and mental health charities in the UK.
Thanks to safe and well-regulated sites like Health Games, players are able to hop onto their favourite online gambling site and have a quick flutter, right from the comfort of their own home.
