The Evolution of Poker in the Online Casino Industry
Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash
Online gambling is on the rise. New casinos are popping up every day, and most of them bring new games to entice new generations of players. But one thing remains the same – the popularity of online casino poker.
It’s still among the most frequently played games, even if we only focus on the latest UK casino sites and new gambling apps. But it wasn’t always like that. Online poker has come a long way since its inception in the late 1990s, so keep reading this post to learn about its evolution in the online casino industry.
Early Days of Online Poker
Casino poker online first appeared in what we now know as chat rooms. It used to be a niche activity for tech-savvy individuals who happened to like gambling. However, the first online poker casino sites emerged in the late 1990s and quickly gained a small but loyal following.
But there’s one detail that we have to mention - the early days of poker casino online were plagued by technical difficulties. Slow internet speeds were particularly daunting because they limited the number of players who could participate. Gambling online is much simpler now because you have many apps and Gamblizard Pay by Phone casinos with innovative payment options. But it wasn’t like that some three decades ago.
Fun fact: Planet Poker launched in 1998 and it was the first real money online poker site.
Almost all of the early platforms had a few things in common. Firstly, Texas Hold’em was the main game. Secondly, they used a basic software platform that was easy to use even for gamblers who barely had any experience with online gambling.
And thirdly, these websites attracted a small but dedicated community of poker enthusiasts. These guys were willing to put up with the technical difficulties just to play the game they loved.
The Rise of Online Poker Tournaments
Virtual tournaments added to the popularity of casino online poker. Accessibility is the core strength of these events because gamblers can play from any location. This opened up the game to a much wider audience, as no one has to travel to a physical casino anymore.
But there’s another factor that drives the rise of online poker tournaments. We are talking about the increased availability of high-stakes events. For example, the World Series of Poker has been hosting online bracelet events since 2015, with buy-ins ranging from $400 to $10 thousand.
In addition, online casinos organize smaller tournaments with modest prize pools. This is perfect for new players to get a taste of tournament play.
Advancements in Gaming Software
You can play casino poker online because new technologies allow you to. Gaming software evolved to become more sophisticated and immersive. Developers kept adding extra functions over the years that even led to the creation of live dealer games.
It’s a streaming technology that connects players with real-life dealers who oversee the action in real time. In this case, players can interact with the dealer and one another as if they were sitting at a physical table. This is a big deal for poker players in particular.
The Impact of Mobile Gaming
Here’s a mind-bending fact: The number of smartphone users will climb to 7.3 billion this year. Perhaps it doesn’t seem relevant to our topic, but it actually is. Today, it’s hard to imagine a poker online casino without a dedicated mobile app. Two elements make smartphone gambling particularly valuable.
First of all, there’s convenience. All it takes is a decent mobile device to start playing poker. You can do it while commuting or waiting in lines, which is how you can fit gaming sessions into your busy schedule.
Secondly, there’s the social gaming component. Mobile apps have social gaming features that help players to connect with each other. The gaming experience becomes more immersive, which is especially appealing to younger players.
Regulation and Legalization
The online casino industry is so big that it has to be regulated. According to media reports, the market will reach $75 billion by 2030. That’s why these two concepts come into play – regulation and legalization.
Regulation guarantees that casinos operate transparently, while legalization allows players to gamble without fear of prosecution.
Rules vary from country to country, but almost all of them regulate similar areas. These are player protection, fair gaming, responsible gambling, anti-fraud measures, and financial security. The United Kingdom is a good example of how to control online gambling. In this country, all online casinos need a license from the Gambling Commission.
Conclusion
The evolution of poker in the online casino industry is interesting because it shows how the game changed with advancements in technology and legal regulations. We only focused on critical aspects of this process, but now it’s your turn to share your opinions. Write a comment and let us know what you think about online poker!
Poker in Las Vegas
Poker in Barcelona
Poker in Rozvadov
Poker in London
Poker in Paris
Poker in Bratislava
List of World Poker Events
More interesting and useful articles from the world of poker you can read in our blog. Also search for poker clubs in the country or city, get to know about upcoming poker tournaments or cash games at PokerDiscover.com
If you liked the article, don’t forget to share it with your friends