Technology has an enormous impact on daily life. The benefits of mobility, accessibility, and smart electronics make modern living easier and more connected than ever before, constantly redefining the meaning of work and play with every breakthrough in software and hardware development.
Technology has played a pivotal role in the transformation of the gambling industry, from the earliest dice games of ancient times to the online casino games of today. Modern perks of online gambling technology, such as high security, instant mobile access, and electronic transactions, make casino entertainment more inclusive and immersive than ever before, but there was a long road of progress that led to their development.Â
The History of Online Gambling Technology
It’s taken a couple of decades for popular formats like online slot machines to go from non-existent to a global phenomenon. In the mid to late ‘90s, there were no live dealer casino games or virtual reality (VR) devices. Smartphones hadn’t been invented yet, the average internet speed was measured in kilobits, and the only legal casino games were those found in land-based establishments.
The first online casino games were bingo, slots, and poker, which all proved immensely popular before the turn of the century. There were about 10-15 gambling websites in 1996. Within a year, as the internet grew more widespread, that number climbed to roughly 200 sites. By the year 2000, there were over 1,000 online casinos to choose from.Â
Gambling sites were a mixed bag in the early 2000s. It was much harder to verify legitimate games back then, and casino online betting options were limited to a handful of games and events. After regulatory changes helped to improve public safety, licensed online casinos took full advantage of emerging technologies like mobile phones, internet banking, and secure encryption.
By the time smartphones, streaming, and social media gained worldwide reach, the gambling industry was ready to adapt and deliver new formats of old classics, from online roulette and video poker to real-time sports betting. Using cutting-edge technology backed by strict legislation, the industry has grown to unprecedented heights in the last decade, with global market size and share revenue exceeding 60 billion in 2022.
Online slot machines and bingo games account for the most revenue annually, followed by casino table games like poker, baccarat, and blackjack. The technologies behind these games, such as random number generation (RNG) and SSL certification, protect players from rigged odds and online threats, ensuring that bets are fair, odds remain transparent, and cheaters never prosper.
At present, online gambling technology refers to a diverse group of established and emerging games, platforms, and formats that are designed for safe and secure entertainment. Whether you’re playing online slots, competing in poker tournaments, or betting on horse racing, the options for gambling activities continue to grow rapidly, leading to exciting potential for the future.
The Future of Online Gambling Technology
With authentic games now available from anywhere at any time, it’s up to the player to decide how they want to play. The latest technological breakthroughs increase freedom of choice further, reshaping the industry in remarkable ways. From cryptocurrencies and cloud gaming to odds calculators and AI tools for poker, casino online betting is now a vast network of interconnected tech, a virtual playground for betting enthusiasts that holds infinite possibilities.Â
Artificial Intelligence in Gambling
Artificial intelligence (AI) in gambling goes beyond RNG and chatbots, with machine learning programs that can analyze plays, track player behavior, and potentially detect unhealthy gambling habits. AI systems are responsible for monitoring hundreds of thousands of daily transactions made by players and operators.Â
AI programs can track suspicious players and ban cheaters faster than any human. They can formulate accurate predictions based on massive amounts of data, focus on a single task with flawless repetition, or adapt the difficulty of a game according to the player’s skill level. With a high adoption rate and proven results, AI has become a deciding factor in the continued success of the casino industry.
Mobile Gambling and VR
In the near future, compact VR platforms running on powerful hardware will likely become more affordable. Augmented reality (AR) is already gaining traction as a potential source of entertainment, and the only question is whether or not there will be enough demand for these fledgling formats.Â
Can you picture games like online roulette in full VR? Only a handful of development studios are pushing for the dream to become a reality, but current results are looking promising, to say the least. While VR games are still in their infancy from a long-term perspective, technologies like cloud computing, blockchain technology, and cross-compatibility all have a part to play in the growth of mobile gambling.
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