TheĀ RootsĀ ofĀ Online Gaming
The firstĀ InternetĀ Gaming SitesĀ went live in theĀ mid-90s.Ā However, these wereĀ farĀ from theĀ bestĀ platforms inĀ useĀ today.Ā Initially,Ā the best online gambling sitesĀ started to operate fromĀ Antigua and BarbudaĀ due to the free trade and treatment lawĀ of theĀ islands.Ā This bill gave theĀ tinyĀ Caribbean nation the right toĀ license companiesĀ interested in starting online casinosĀ and essentiallyĀ spawned a newĀ industry.
Around the same time, one of theĀ biggestĀ softwareĀ providers in the industry,Ā Micro gaming,Ā came on the scene.Ā In the history of online gambling, Micro gaming has become known asĀ aĀ leadingĀ figureĀ and a companyĀ that hasĀ virtually revolutionizedĀ online gambling.
EvenĀ now, Micro gaming is stillĀ regarded asĀ one of the most trusted software providersĀ forĀ the internet gaming industry. Their software currently supports all types of onlineĀ gambling sites,Ā from casinos to poker rooms and everything inĀ between.
Online Gambling History: The Rise of Sports Betting
The naturalĀ transitionĀ from virtual casino and poker sitesĀ has of course been towards online sports betting. In 1996, InterTopsĀ was the first platform to offerĀ fansĀ a new way toĀ betĀ on their favorite teams. The initial success of InterTops was followed by rapid expansion and within two years some of the world's top bookmakers, including William Hill and Ladbrokes,Ā launchedĀ their own online gamblingĀ sites.
Initially, theseĀ sites offered playersĀ huge bonuses andĀ cashbackĀ offersĀ to entice themĀ to gamble online. As the marketĀ matured,Ā theseĀ transactionsĀ graduallyĀ declined.Ā However, the modern online gambling climate is still aĀ meccaĀ for bonuses if you know where to look (andĀ luckilyĀ weĀ do).
TheĀ Strange BusinessĀ of Betfair
Another interesting trend in online sports bettingĀ appearedĀ in 2000 after Betfair entered the market. ThisĀ onlineĀ gambling site took sports betting toĀ the nextĀ level with the invention of peer-to-peerĀ betting. This system, almostĀ unique in the industry,Ā essentiallyĀ allowed players toĀ placeĀ betsĀ on each otherĀ while the siteĀ received commissions onĀ eachĀ bet. TwoĀ years after theĀ creationĀ of Betfair, sports bettingĀ has given a new impetus toĀ the onlineĀ industry. PushingĀ internet technology to its limits, live sports betting hasĀ proved hugelyĀ popular and one of the most exciting new sportsĀ bettingĀ on the market todayĀ dueĀ to its compatibility with desktop and mobileĀ devices.
TheĀ RiseĀ ofĀ Online Poker
Planet Poker isĀ widely regarded asĀ the first online gambling site to offer poker.Ā FoundedĀ in 1998, this platform quickly attracted a large number of players, including WSOP bracelet winner Chris "Jesus"Ā Ferguson.
Unfortunately, the site was plaguedĀ withĀ a number ofĀ glitchesĀ and otherĀ issues. At the time,Ā a large number of people were still using dial-up internet services, whichĀ caused variousĀ speed andĀ download issues.
The Future of Online Poker
WhileĀ online gambling, especially online poker, hasĀ seenĀ ups and downs over the years, there is renewed hope for the future. Europe has already recognized internet gambling asĀ aĀ right of every legal adult and itĀ appearsĀ the US is starting to adopt the same mindset.Ā Indeed,Ā theĀ bestĀ online gambling sites are now working hard to lobby US politicians and manyĀ predictĀ that theĀ next fewĀ years could see a renewed boom for the virtual gambling industry.
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