A Timeline of Online Gambling
By Alex J. Coyne © 2017 For Great Bridge Links (Updated for 2024)
Ever stop to think how online gambling got its start? We were wondering about that, too! Here’s a closer look at online gambling from its start in the early-90s to where we are today – full of firsts, jackpots, pandemics and record-wins. Here goes …
1994:
Antigua and Barbuda was apparently one of the first countries to pass regulations specifically pertaining to online gambling; of course, gambling is still legal there today. Maybe it’s time for a vacation…
1996:
InterCasino opens, becoming the first online casino to go live; they’re based in the UK, and still exist today. Visit their official website for more information.
1998:
Planet Poker opens, becoming the first online for-cash poker room. The site is still active today, though now it’s geared towards poker rules instead.
1998:
UK-based online gambling provider Bingo Blitz goes live.
1998:
Microgaming develops and launches the first ever online slot machine called Cash Splash; there are still plenty places where you can play it, too!
1999:
The US attempts to introduce the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act, which would have aimed to make online gambling illegal for US citizens – lucky for gamblers, the bill doesn’t go through.
1999:
The Kahnawake Gaming Comission is started in 1999 (some sources state 1998) and becomes one of the first regulatory bodies for online gambling; they are based in Canada.
2001:
PokerStars is founded in Costa Rica on the 11th of September of this year,
2003:
Casino for Charities launches in the UK and claims to be the first online gambling provider offering the takings to a charity of the player’s choice.
2003:
The Moneymaker Effect – Chris Moneymaker, an amateur poker player, won the World Series of Poker Main Event after qualifying through an online satellite tournament. His victory had a profound impact on the popularity of online poker, leading to a surge in interest and participation known as the “Moneymaker Effect.”
2004:
PokerStars began hosting the World Championship PokerStars began hosting the World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP), setting records for the largest prize pools for online poker tournaments. This period also saw the platform expanding its international reach.
2009:
Viktor Blom, also known as Isildur1, made poker history when he took part in all of the largest online poker pots at that point in time.
2010:
A law is passed in New Jersey to legalize certain forms of online gambling; this makes it the first of its kind for the US.
2013:
A mysterious internet stranger named Nakowa became the largest Bitcoin win in history after taking home 11, 000 bitcoin through Just-Dice.com.
2014:
The D and Golden Gate Casinos in Las Vegas become the first casinos to accept payment in Bitcoin – though, apparently not for gambling for some reason. 2014 also saw the casinos getting their own Bitcoin ATM’s. The way of the future, eh?
2015:
Jon Heywood wins the largest ever online slot jackpot (€17,879,645), a UK-citizen playing Microgaming’s Mega Moolah.
2017:
MGM launches the first MGM-branded online casino website called ‘playMGM’, which also offers sports betting through their playMGM app.
2017:
Australia sees online gambling and sports betting banned after the passing of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill.
2017:
After the lifting of a ban on online gambling apps by Google, 888 Casino becomes the first to showcase their (for cash) gambling apps back on Google Play.
2018:
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns PASPA – In May 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992. This ruling opened the door for states to legalize sports betting on an individual basis. As a result, a wave of legislation passed across the country, with numerous states legalizing sports betting, both retail and online, significantly impacting the online gambling landscape in the U.S.
2019:
Sweden Regulates Online Gambling. On January 1, 2019, Sweden introduced a new licensing system for online gambling, moving to regulate the market and open it up to international operators. This shift aimed to enhance consumer protection, ensure fair competition, and bring in revenue from licensing fees and taxes.
2020:
COVID-19 Pandemic Accelerates Online Gambling. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the gambling industry, as lockdowns and social distancing measures led to the closure of casinos and sports betting shops. This situation accelerated the shift towards online gambling platforms, with a notable increase in online casino, poker, and sports betting activities. Operators and regulators alike adapted quickly to this new reality, with some jurisdictions easing regulations to accommodate the surge in online activity.
2021:
Canada Passes Bill C-218. Canada made a significant move in the online gambling sector by passing Bill C-218 in June 2021, which legalized single-event sports betting. This bill amended the Criminal Code to allow provinces and territories to regulate and license single-event sports betting, opening up a substantial market opportunity within the country.
2022:
The Netherlands Launches Regulated Online Gambling Market. After several delays, the Netherlands officially opened its regulated online gambling market on October 1, 2021, with the Remote Gambling Act coming into effect. This legislation allowed licensed operators to offer a variety of online betting and gaming services, marking a significant shift in the Dutch gambling landscape.