📅 Early Development of Online Casinos (1994 – 2000)
- 1994: The first online casino, Microgaming, is launched in Antigua and Barbuda.
- 1996: The first online poker room, Planet Poker, is established.
- 1999: Revenue from online gambling exceeds $1 billion.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1994 | Launch of Microgaming – The first online casino. |
| 1996 | Establishment of Planet Poker – The first online poker room. |
| 1999 | Online gambling revenues exceed $1 billion. |
📈 Growth and Legislation (2001 – 2010)
- 2001: The Online Gambling Prohibition Act is introduced in the U.S. Congress.
- 2006: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is enacted, restricting online gambling.
- 2010: The UK government begins to regulate online gambling more strictly.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Introduction of the Online Gambling Prohibition Act. |
| 2006 | Enactment of UIGEA, limiting online gambling in the U.S. |
| 2010 | UK government tightens regulations on online gambling. |
🌍 Expansion and Innovation (2011 – Present)
- 2011: The U.S. Department of Justice allows states to regulate online poker.
- 2013: New Jersey becomes the first state to legalize online gambling within the U.S.
- 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the growth of online casinos worldwide.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011 | U.S. moves towards state-regulated online poker. |
| 2013 | New Jersey legalizes online gambling. |
| 2020 | COVID-19 boosts online casino growth globally. |