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Remember back in the early nineties when everyone had that video solitaire game on their computers? People played the gamed constantly, even though there were much more sophisticated computer-based video games available. Obviously, the world was ready for online gaming.
The first online gaming site, The Gaming Club, opened ten years ago in the fall of 1995. Since that time, the online casino world has grown at an exponential pace. Today, online players can choose from hundred of games, including dozens of variations on poker, blackjack, baccarat, craps, and even bingo.
The first online casinos were limited by the fact that a fairly small percentage of people had Internet connections in their homes, and even fewer had fast connections capable of quickly downloading the types of gaming software that is in use today. In order for play to be profitable for the casino and exciting for players there is certain critical mass of players that has to be reached. During the late nineties, online casinos gained more players each year as more and more homes started subscribing to high-speed Internet.
Today, with the prevalence of cable modems and other inexpensive, convenient Internet connections, online casinos are more popular than they’ve ever been. One of the major contributing factors to this popularity is online poker. As online casinos were coming into their own, land-based casinos were cutting back on poker games and raising rakes, or entrance fees, for in-casino games. Poker is much less profitable for land-based casinos than slot machines, and with fewer games and higher rakes and minimum bets, poker players were forced to look elsewhere to play their favorite game.
Online casinos quickly stepped in to fill the void. There are dozens of variations on poker to choose from and all levels of minimum bets. Online casinos were extremely savvy in their marketing of poker, contributing greatly to its popularity. Most sites have free games available and offer all sorts of extras and bonuses for regular players.
One of the most effective tools online casinos use to increase the number of players on their site is to offer winners entry into various live tournaments. It was through one such contest that online poker gained much of the high profile it has today. In 2003 Chris Moneymaker won his entry to the 2003 World Series of Poker from play at an online casino. He went on to win the main event causing shock in the poker world. The 2004 World Series featured triple the number of players over the 2003 turnout. Like Moneymaker, 2004 winner Greg "Fossilman" Raymer also won his entry at an online card room.
In December 2003 it was reported that online poker revenues stood at around $40 million per month and were growing by 27% per month. At peak times over 40,000 people are playing for real money at the various card rooms with a similar number playing free games. These numbers and the popularity of online gaming in general, have only continued to increase. With hundreds of games to choose from, and online gaming expanding in the European Union, the online casino has more thrills, bonuses and ways to win than ever, and looks forward to an even brighter future.
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