1990s: The rise of the internet
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The rise of internet technology in the 1990s allowed for the creation of the first online casinos as it became possible to transmit data and graphics over the internet reliably and efficiently. The internet allowed for the development of software that could simulate the experience of playing traditional casino games, such as blackjack and slots, in a digital environment.
In 1994, the island country of Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade and Processing Act, allowing individuals and businesses to set up online casinos. Hundreds of online casinos sprang up in the country, which led to the growth of its gambling industry. In its wake, more online gambling legislation materialized in Malta, New Jersey, and the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake.
Online casinos also benefited from the growth of e-commerce, making it easier for players to make deposits and withdrawals online. The increasing popularity of home computers and high-speed internet connections provided a convenient and accessible platform for online gambling. Software company CryptoLogic made secure financial transactions possible online in 1995. A year later, InterCasino was the first online casino to use real money in wagers made on the internet, where there were just 15 such websites in existence. By 1997, online gambling sites increased to 200.
