As a pastime, gambling stretches back millennia, with written records of crude games of chance predating the birth of Christ. Of course, things have really taken off in the last quarter of a century, with the advent of online gaming sector opening up a global marketplace to a new array of possibilities.
However, even in the relatively brief period since the launch of the first online casino in the mid-1990s, the online gaming sector has come a long way. From a niche activity practiced by few to a multi-billion-dollar sector today, online casino operators have taken advantage of new technology and evolved their offerings to instigate and maintain their skyrocketing popularity. We take a closer look at some of the main ways the online gaming sector has changed over the years below.
Mobile compatibility
When the first online casino opened its virtual doors in 1994, the internet was still very much in its infancy and all browsing took place on desktop machines. However, as our phones became smaller and smaller – and their capabilities became larger and larger – internet traffic began to move away from a traditional stationary machine.
Indeed, mobile traffic now comprises a larger share of time spent surfing the web than its desktop counterpart. That shift in user behavior has meant that online gaming operators have had to roll with the times and ensure that their sites are mobile-ready (or else develop an app) in order to avoid missing out on a significant chunk of traffic and keep their customers happy.
Live games
Online casinos obviously carry a number of advantages over their brick-and-mortar predecessors, including convenience, affordability and accessibility. However, they may lack the irreplicable experience of entering a land-based casino, mingling with other patrons and feeling the heft of a stack of chips between your fingers.
Aware of this shortcoming, the industry has sought to address it via the development of live casino games. In this respect Evolution Gaming is a clear market leader, offering a variety of card and table games to their customers via video link, with a real-life dealer explaining the rules, taking the bets and interacting with punters. Although not quite the real thing, it’s just about as close as you can get to it without leaving the comfort of your living room.
Themed slots
The humble slot machine first made its entry onto the world stage almost 100 years ago – but it’s come a long way since those simple lever-operated, barrel-and-reel contraptions. Nowadays, there are a wide variety of slot games to choose from, each boasting bouncy colors, crystal-clear graphics and engaging gameplay.
In fact, many smart developers have cottoned on to the fact that popular culture is an excellent hunting ground for new ideas for their next title. By jumping on the bandwagon of successful movies, TV shows and books, they can leverage the connection that people already feel with these entities and entice them to their site.
These three developments have helped propel the online casino industry to global success – but more are sure to follow in the coming years.
