A Brief History Of Online Poker
Poker has been a popular card game for years. It’s believed to have originated in the early 1800s in the Southern U.S. However, who created the game is unknown. Since its early years, it has grown globally popular and can now be played both in-person and online.
Thanks to advancements in technology, playing poker online is now one of the preferred ways to wager because these sites offer convenience and accessibility. Online betting sites that offer poker have come a long way since their launch. Now, gamers can play on domestic sites, like those in the UK that are part of GamStop, or wager on international sites that bypass tough regulations like GamStop and cater to a global audience. Betting expert and author Liliana Costache explains that many bettors check on Cardplayer to find the best international sites to play poker and other casino games. Costache further shares that these sites usually offer huge game libraries and big bonuses, drawing in players from all around the world.
But, how did online poker come to be? Let’s look back at its history, starting in the mid-1990s.
Early Beginnings (1990s)
Online poker can be traced back to the mid-1990s when the internet began to gain traction. In fact, the very first online casino that offered poker was launched in 1994. However, it was not until about 1998 that the first dedicated poker site was launched.
While online poker was popular when it first launched, it faced a number of regulatory hurdles. Additionally, in the mid to late 1990s, the internet was still fairly slow which put a damper on playing poker from home. Because of these setbacks, the number of people who played poker online in the early days was relatively small.
Boom and Expansion (2000s)
In the early 2000s online poker saw a huge boost in popularity and growth. There were several reasons for this. First, the internet got better and faster. Second, software also improved during this time. Third, there was an uptick in interest from the general public in playing online poker.
With all three of these factors in play, online poker gained popularity, and quickly.
The "Black Friday" (2011)
Until 2011, online poker was growing steadily in popularity. However, on August 11, 2011, online poker faced a major setback when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted several major online poker companies for operating activities in a legal gray area. Because of this, many popular online casino sites shut down and poker enthusiasts were left scrambling, looking for places to play.
Regulation and Recovery (2010s - Present)
Since 2011, online poker has undergone significant regulatory changes and has once again surged in popularity. Some of these changes included Nevada becoming the first state to legalize online poker, which happened in 2012. After that, other states like New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania followed. Today, online poker has grown to massive heights. It is widely popular all around the world, with players logging on to wager day and night.
Conclusion
Online poker has an interesting past. While online poker started with a small following in the mid-1990s it quickly gained traction to become the powerhouse it is today. Although there were some bumps in the road, players from all around the world can now log on and access online poker sites.