Anyone who wants to gamble online in the modern age can find hundreds of options to do so in a matter of minutes. It is incredibly easy to find gambling platforms whether you want to place a bet on football or play some casino-style games.
Gambling has virtually gone hand-in-hand with the industry since the internet got to the stage where it could hold a stable connection, with the first gambling sites offering sportsbook and casino games can be dated to the 90s. There was a lot less restriction and regulation around then, and nowadays there are strict guidelines.
In the mid-late 90s, it is estimated that there were around 200 popular gambling sites. This is still plenty of choices, but you could only engage in games where you were betting against the bookmakers and casinos. The real revolution started around 1999.
At the turn of the millennium, as internet connections improved, it was possible to offer multi-player games on online gambling platforms. While things like online slots already existed, it was time to introduce poker and other multi-player games.
Online poker is a huge industry in and of itself and the turn of the century saw the industry boom, with estimates that it was worth billions of dollars even at this stage.
It was not long until the other huge revolution that we would see. The addition of mobile internet, that changed the world for virtually everyone, and made gaming and gambling so much more accessible. As the 2000s saw apps become mainstream, people would now be able to use their devices to play games and gamble at any time, on public transport, on their lunch break, and with very few restrictions on devices. Both Android and iPhone devices would be vital in driving this change, along with 3G internet.
One of the best things about the evolution of online gambling from a consumer point of view was all the competition that this would bring. An incredible amount of casinos meant more choice of games, with some in the modern age offering hundreds or even thousands of ways to gamble. On top of this, each and every casino or sportsbook gambling company had to find ways to hook customers in. This led to bigger progressive jackpots on online slot games, big signup bonuses, ways for customers to get cash back bonus in online casino they prefer, and competition to provide the best odds and even rewards for loyalty.
Players of skill-based games such as poker saw the digital revolution of gaming become a huge part of their life. Rather than having to wait for tournaments in person and travel to them, someone can sign up to an online tournament due to start in the coming hours or even minutes. There is always the option to log on and play.
Live dealer games are another innovation. The increase in internet speeds means that people can view a video feed and react with it, giving more of a casino feel. Games like Blackjack are perfect for having live dealers, and those who want a bit more in the way of atmosphere and interaction can take advantage of this in the modern age. 10-20 years ago, internet connections just wouldn’t have supported this kind of online gambling.
If you are a gambler, it is exciting to consider what the next steps are. When you think about how far online gambling and casinos have come in recent years, you will see that the industry is still accelerating, and shows no signs of stopping. You have more choice and options for gambling than ever before.
