While online gambling is a relatively new activity, casino betting dates back centuries before the first coin was launched. The earliest gambling signs can be traced back to 2,300 BC when people used to wager using properties like food or cattle before money existed.
Throughout the years, technology has advanced significantly to transform the way people place wagers, growing from playing dice and cards in 100AD to the self-service online betting sites of the 21st century. While gambling might have changed significantly since the early days, the basic principle is still the same. You stake your cash on the chance to lose or win.
Here’s a study of how the online casino industry has grown since the first internet-based gambling website hit the market in the late 1990s. But first, let’s look at the shift to online casino gaming and how mobile casinos grow in popularity due to technological advancements.
The shift to online gambling
Following the success of lottery terminals in the late 1980s, online gambling was the next most important shift in the casino market. Online gambling hit the market with the rise of internet technology, although some traditional gamblers were still skeptical about the activity.
Online casinos enable players to access their favorite games from their homes or while on the go to reduce the need to visit a local casino. As a result, more gambling companies started recognizing the potential of online casinos, which changed the gambling market differently.
Over the years, the online gambling market has continued growing in different ways, including:
Better bonuses than ever
Most casino operators understand that everyone loves free stuff. The freebie concept resonates well with players, which encourages leading operators to offer lucrative bonuses and promotions that encourage players to keep playing. As a result, almost every trustworthy casino site online offers free slots, first deposit bonuses and other promotions.
Wide variety of games
Internet casinos offer a wide variety of games, making them popular among different types of players. You can often find new titles from trustworthy casino software providers like Playtech, Microgaming and International Game Technology. You can always expect high-quality games released monthly, contributing to the market’s dynamism.
Increased payment options
When online casinos first hit the market, players only had several options to deposit cash in their betting accounts. Over the last decade, debit/credit cards have been the main mode of payment between players and operators.
The rise of e-wallets, cryptocurrencies and other payment options has made it easier for stakeholders to transact easily. Open banking methods like Trustly are also the next big thing to make it easier for casinos to process payments.
Mobile gaming options
Unquestionably, the prolific growth of mobile technology in the last 20 years has played a huge role in the growth of the online gambling market. While it was once essential to use a computer to gamble online, smartphones have changed all that. Punters are currently using their mobile phones for several hours daily, which explains why online casinos have witnessed a surge in revenue.