Online casinos are like a virtual Disneyland for adults. People spend hours having fun with games like slot machines, blackjack, and poker. Some people change their lives by winning huge jackpots online.

Despite that, online casinos shouldn’t be mistaken as a source of income. They’re a place to have fun with pocket change after a busy week. If you would like to try out mobile casino games, the review by iGaming.com can help you find the best casino sites in the US.

While today’s gambling platforms have beautiful websites and hundreds of games, they have come a long way since their invention in 1994.

Here’s a brief history of iGaming websites and why they’re growing rapidly worldwide.

The Birth of Online Casinos–1994

Microgaming, an Isle-of-Man-based software provider, created the world’s first online casino in 1994. In 1996, Cryptologic created the first online gambling site with a secure payment system.

Banking security was a big deal. It helped popularize online casinos rapidly in countries where the industry was legal back then. Statisticians estimate that online casinos generated more than $1 billion in 1998, four years after their launch.

This happened despite the industry’s limited features. Online gaming at the time lacked many of the features you can find in today’s online casinos: Clear graphics, bonuses, mobile games, and game variety.

Licensing and Regulation—1994 to Present

Antigua and Barbuda created the first online casino regulatory body in 1994—the Free Trade and Processing Act. This attracted the interest of investors in Europe and North America who applied for the first bunch of licenses.

Canada’s Kahnawake Gaming Commission was launched in 1996 to regulate online gaming in protected territories. In the next decade, Australia, Malta, and the UK launched regional regulatory bodies.

This marked a new age for online gaming companies because the industry skyrocketed globally. By 2008, the iGaming sector was generating $21 billion, 20x the figure a decade prior.

Online gambling regulation is usually a matter of state concern. Countries like the UK and Sweden have gambling regulators. Some countries provide international licenses, which can be used globally.

In Malta, casinos can acquire a license to operate in every location where online gambling is permitted. In the US, casino operators need a license from the state before they can operate.

Not every state permits online gaming. New Jersey, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Pennsylvania regulate online casinos. However, many states only support sports betting.

Web Design and Development

Since the first casino websites in the 1990s, web developers have been experimenting with how casinos look. The first generation of gambling websites was text-based and used minimal visuals. You had to download games before you could play them.

As the industry progressed, advancements like Adobe Flash and CSS designs made websites more intuitive. You could play slots with the support of Adobe Flash. The website looked fancier and menu items worked.

Website design took a turn for the better after the launch of HTML5 in 2014. Not only did it kill Adobe Flash but it also eliminated the need to download casino games.

Developers began making no-download websites and games. They also utilized CSS and graphics design to create beautiful, fast, and intuitive websites. Today, every online casino comes with 3D graphics and intuitive search features.

Games and Software Providers

When online gambling began, everyone wanted to play popular Las Vegas games. These included slot machines, roulette, blackjack, and poker. It didn’t matter that slots have dated graphics and low payouts. People just wanted to have fun.

Over the years, casino games have evolved so much that they’re better than anything you can find in Nevada. From variety and design to payout rates and features, online slots blow Las Vegas slots out of the water.

Today’s online slots have an average payout rate of 96%. They have intriguing features like wilds, multipliers, scatters, bonuses, and jackpots. What’s more, they’re beautiful and sound amazing.

Of course, casino games are not created equal. Many operators work with 20+ software providers to offer variety to their players. Companies like NetEnt, Betsoft, IGT, Scientific Games, Blueprint Gaming, and Big Time Gaming are at the forefront of revolutionizing iGaming.

Another feature that makes modern slots so popular is that they’re safe. Software providers use Random Software Engines (RNGs) to trigger winning symbols. Almost every casino game has RNG software.

Banking and Withdrawals

In the early days of online gaming, you had to use bank transfers or physical checks to deposit your money. Cards like Visa and MasterCard soon became available but they charged high fees and would often decline gambling payments.

It took the invention of mobile payment apps to elevate online gaming to the next level. Companies like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller lowered the transaction cost and boosted payment speed so much that they’re still the standard way of depositing money today.

Depending on your casino, you can deposit through various banking options. Some, like PayPal and Apple, process payments fast. They have tight security and work in multiple countries.

Bank transfers are still a popular payment option at online casinos. But people used to cash out large amounts of money. Crypto, a new entrant to the online gaming space, is spreading quickly thanks to its advanced security and transparency features.

Security and Trustworthiness

Security has always been an important measure for determining whether to join an online casino. In the beginning, we didn’t have a Secure Socket Layer (SSL). That means some casinos in the mid-90s operated with unsafe websites.

Also, casinos have lax security tools to help you secure your account. Gambling sites began taking security seriously towards the end of the last century. Cybercrime became a thing, leading developers to creative cybersecurity measures.

Today, no one joins a casino without reviewing its security features. A valid license is the first sign of a genuine gambling site. An encrypted website with account protection features makes it secure. However, people prioritize top-rated websites with a record of data protection and quality services.