Online casinos have become a global phenomenon, with hundreds of different users on a global scale. The global gambling sector was valued at $58.2 billion in 2021, and it’s predicted that at this rate, it will hit $145.6 billion by 2030.
It had resulted in a jaw-dropping net worth that was amassed in just two decades when the first casino site was launched. If you’re wondering how online casinos became so popular or what mind-blowing facts you should know about casino sites before you start gambling online, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting facts about online casinos.
The First Gambling Agency
One major factor that contributed to the development of the first online casino, as well as the casino industry, was ‘The Free Trade and Processing Act,’ which was initially passed by the Antigua and Barbuda government.
That was back in 1994, the internet still wasn’t adopted by the mainstream, but the main result was the right for the government to issue licenses to companies that wanted to create their own online casinos.
Since then, many gambling agencies have emerged on the market, including the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and even national regulatory bodies like the Swedish Gambling Authority, and Danish Gambling Authority, to name a few.
Microgaming and the First Casino Software
Microgaming 1994 became a pioneer in internet gambling with the development of the first casino software and its work as an official provider of casino sites and poker rooms. As more people become online users, the online casino sector continues to grow with new, improved casino games and an ever-increasing number of developers on the market.
As a result, you can easily find a trustworthy Canadian casino site that hosts high-quality casino games like poker, roulette, craps, and blackjack in many versions. Moreover, Canadian gambling sites are on the rise, especially with the rise of Canadian Gambling agencies.
First Online Poker Site
In 1998, Planet Poker was established as one of the first online poker casino websites that attracted even the World Series of Poker champion Chris Ferguson. But many technical difficulties were the reason for its downfall, and then Paradise Poker was formed in 1999, which also offered online poker games.
The Biggest Online Casino Win
Based on data from the Guinness World Records, the biggest casino winner was 36-year-old Christina, who won a total of €90 million on Lottoland Limited in 2018. Otherwise, there are many casino sites where you will be able to play slots with progressive jackpots and other table and card casino games.
Net Worth of Online Casinos
In just three years after the first casino software was developed, there were more than 200 online casinos in 1997. Their revenue was around $1 billion annually and continued to grow at a rapid pace. Fast forward to 2022, there are more than 2,000 casinos online with annual revenue of an average of around $10 billion.
Online Slots
Online slots are one of the most popular aspects of any casino site, and actually, the majority of casino games online are slot games. They come in many different versions and themes that make them appealing to the different target audiences of casino players. For example, there are online slots that are based on video games, famous actors, films, and TV series, as well as fantasy-inspired slot games based on sports, Egyptian-inspired slots, and many other options.
They are easily accessible, and many online casinos also create mobile-optimised applications as well as because slot games have sharp graphics and are based on RNG technology which makes them suitable for any beginner or high-roller since they are easy to play and the rarely require any additional knowledge.
That being said, approximately 90% of slots player choose to play slot games online, and the number of online slot players, based on data from the UK Gambling Commission, has tripled between 2015 and 2018.
Casino Games in Demo Mode
Casino games are unique because they allow casino players to play different casino games in demo mode. In other words, you can try your luck with different casino games for free with virtual funds. This allows you to learn how different games function, including slots, poker, baccarat, craps, and other games in many different versions.
Live Casino Games
However, live casino games have become an essential aspect of casino sites, and they are quite popular as they allow online casino players to play live dealer casino games that include everything from table and card casino games as well as slots and even game shows in recent years. However, the first live-dealer games on casinos online were developed years after the first casino software, more specifically around 2006 or 2007.
Mobile Casino
Online casinos have become very popular, especially with the rise of mobile casino applications, the enhanced performance of mobile devices, and the opportunity to play any casino game on the move as a lot of providers decided to customize their titles for mobile gaming. But everything started with the development of the first mobile casino software by Playtech.
