🕰️ 1990s: The Birth of Online Gambling
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Year Event 1994 First Online Casino Launched: The first recognized online casino, Microgaming, opens its doors, offering a variety of games. 1996 Gaming Clubs Established: Sportingbet is one of the first online sports betting platforms, paving the way for sportsbook innovations. 1998 Introduction of Online Poker: Planet Poker launches, becoming the first site to offer real-money online poker.
📈 2000s: Regulation and Growth
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Year Event 2001 The UIGEA Enacted: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is passed in the U.S., creating confusion and redirecting online gambling operations. 2003 Rise of Online Sports Betting: Betfair introduces the concept of betting exchanges, altering the sports betting landscape forever. 2006 Online Gambling Crisis: The SAFE Port Act includes provisions that effectively shut down many online gambling operations in the U.S.
🌍 2010s: Expansion and Innovation
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Year Event 2011 New York vs. Scheinberg: Key legal battle over the legality of online poker results in changes in state policies. 2012 Regulation in Europe: Countries like the UK and France regulate online gambling markets, ensuring consumer protection. 2018 U.S. Supreme Court Decision: The court rules that state laws prohibiting sports betting are unconstitutional, leading to widespread legalization.
🔮 2020s: Future Trends in Online Gambling
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Year Event 2020 Boom During Pandemic: COVID-19 restrictions lead to unprecedented growth in online gambling as brick-and-mortar casinos close. 2021 Virtual Reality Casinos: The introduction of VR technology in casinos provides immersive experiences for players. 2023 Blockchain Impact: The use of blockchain technology increases transparency and security in online gambling transactions.