Gambling is just really old. Emerging in the Paleolithic period, it has always been closely connected with the historical development of humans. This was before history was written down. The earliest physical evidence of gambling dates back to 3,000 BC. Lotto games, dominoes, and playing cards also developed in this region from the 9th to the 14th centuries. Betting on fighting animals was a well-known activity in Greek and Roman times.
Gambling began in Japan in the 1500s. The popular game of poker is over 200 years old, originating in Persia. Venice was home to Ridotto, the very first documented casino, in 1638. The USA welcomed games such as roulette when the early French settlers arrived. New Orleans and Mississippi steamboats became popular gambling venues for America’s elite.
Gambling continued to gain popularity, spreading throughout the world, and becoming more organized. The intricacies of gambling allowed for more accurate regulation to occur. This was especially true in the US. Sittman and Pitt developed the first gambling machine in New York and Charles Fey created the Liberty Bell machine in San Francisco. Video slot games followed later in the 1970s with online gaming still to emerge in the future.
Before the start of online gaming, Microgaming developed gambling software. This software provider has gone from strength to strength and is still regarded as a top-ranked company. At present, it provides support to a variety of online gaming websites. The Free Trade and Processing Act was granted in Antigua and Barbuda in the mid-nineties. This was the beginning of online casinos. Organizations could now apply for online casino licenses.
Following these developments, online gaming regulations were implemented. Initially, this began with the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. A number of gaming licenses were issued to online casinos globally. This commission aimed to ensure that online gambling was kept honest and fair. 1999 saw the concept of multiplayer gambling introduced online. Playtech introduced the first online live dealer casinos in 2003.
Mobile gambling was a further advancement for the gambling world. Research showed that internet users prefer the convenience of mobile phones to the desktop alternative. These results were mirrored in online gambling as well. The top-ranked gambling websites offer mobile versions of their casinos. There’s also a marked link between gambling and social networking platforms. The creation of cryptocurrency has widened the gambling platform, creating a swifter and easier payment method for online players.
