ONLINE CASINO WEBSITES: TRACING THEIR HISTORY FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT

            The popularity of gambling and games offered on online casino websites is high world over. The casino, when it first came into existence, referred to a public building or room built for the sole purpose of providing amusement and pleasure. As the popularity of these public buildings increased in the nineteenth century, the “casino” became larger buildings, where a greater number of gambling and sport activities took place. What started as a medium of entertainment has now morphed into one of the world’s leading industries. This advancement of casinos and online casino websites has even benefitted other industries, such as online banking services, etc. that were in turn needed for the casinos to function safely.

            While gambling is often considered as a vice, the games offered in casinos have become a popular means of helping people relax, relieve stress and enjoy leisure time. Casinos offer people not just the chance to enjoy the games, but also to enjoy food, drinks and other forms of entertainment, like comedy shows, magic shows, dance and song performances, etc. Regardless, most of the people who are seen in casinos are there for the games and the gambling. The games of chance, where people can win and lose money, are thrilling forms of entertainment that few do not enjoy. The casino online gambling revenues have risen exponentially over the past few decades.

            Playing online certainly has its perks. Not only does the player save valuable money on the trip to and the stay in the casino, they also save time. Thus, the player has more money for the games, as well as more time to enjoy the games too. There are no limits to the games that the person can buy into online either. Many online casino websites also offer players a chance to play friendly games of those commonly found in casinos as well. Many internet-based casinos also have low-stake games. This is a good way to beginners to gain hands-on experience before they begin betting on their games. Playing online, from the comfort of one’s home, also allows players to play games in a quiet and peaceful environment. Becoming a regular player at any one particular internet-based casino could also entitle players to receive comps from the casino as well, which can be exchanged for merchandise, to enter tournaments or sometimes even exchanged for money. An unquestionable advantage is also that the player gets the opportunity to play against other players from all over the world, allowing them to experience different gaming styles.

            While it may seem that people could play games offered on online casino websites in internet-based casinos, the truth of the matter is that Internet gambling was only first seen in the 1990’s. The catalyst for the introduction of casinos to the online world is the passing of the Free Trade and Processing Zone Act. The act allowed online operations to obtain licenses to run casinos on the Internet. Since then, the rapid technological advancements have allowed casinos to perfect their Internet gambling websites to allow people to enjoy games offered on casino-gaming websites right from the comfort of their homes. The increasing popularity of many of the games offered on casino-gaming websites, as well as the increasing demand, and the many technological advancements (broadband connections and innovative software included) that were seen towards the end of the century allowed the casino world to take its most popular games to the global level.

            After the passing of the act in 1994, Microgaming was the first Internet-entertainment software providing company founded, followed by Cryptologic in 1995. Also in 1995, Internet Casinos Inc. Started running the first ever Internet-based casino, offering people all over the globe access to eighteen games offered on casino-gaming websites and the lottery. in the course of the following years, the Internet casino industry was seen to thrive, and many people switched from going to casinos to playing their favourite games offered on casino-gaming websites on the Internet. Despite there being several attempts to curb the functioning on online casino websites, they have nonetheless continued to thrive due to popular demand.

            Based on the interface used, there are two forms of online casino websites on the Internet. Some of these internet-based casinos offer a web-based interface allow casino game players to be able to enjoy games on their web browser. They need not have to download and install software on their computers whatsoever. Such internet-based casinos require plug-ins, such as Macromedia Flash or Shockwave and Java. These casinos also take up a lot of bandwidth to support the graphics of the virtual games. Conversely, other internet-based casinos may require players to download and install some software of their local systems before they can play any of the games offered on casino-gaming websites online. These games do not necessarily have to be played on the browser. Since the graphics need not be loaded as it does with web-based interface casinos, these Internet games offered on Internet-based casino websites tend to run much faster. Bandwidth is required only for the initial download of the software.

            There are two kinds of games that can be played in casinos online. While virtual games refer to games whose outcomes are dependent on pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs), live casinos allow players to play games offered on casino-gaming websites in real time. Virtual games allow online players to play popular games offered on casino-gaming websites through computer simulations.  The PRNG determines the results of the game. The order of the cards, the outcome of rolling the dice, the results of a slot machine, etc. all completely depend on the random algorithm of the PRNG. In contrast, live internet-based games offered on online casinos are run by real dealers in real time. The casino gaming table is viewed through a live stream, and communication between the player and dealer takes place through text-chatting. The results of live games offered on casino-gaming websites are not determined by automated processes.

            While the range of Internet-based games offered on online casino websites offered in any internet-based casino varies widely, all these casinos definitely offer a host of card games, as well as online versions of slots. Both these games are two of the most popular games in the history of Internet-based games offered on casino-gaming websites. Poker, blackjack and war are some of the most played games in casinos. There are many versions of the online slot machines as well, which offer types payouts. Other well known games offered on casino-gaming websites that can be played through internet-based casinos include roulette, keno, baccarat and craps as well.

            Blackjack is unquestionably one of the most popular casino games of all times. Even while online blackjack, players have the choice to play individual games against the dealer, or join in on one of the many multiplayer games. There are various betting systems or practices that an blackjack online casino game follows. The Paroli system involves making initial bets of a certain amount. The player is required to bet the initial amount, plus his winnings, for three rounds before he can set aside his winnings in this system. The Martingale system is a more popularly used system, which usually increases the bet after each loss incurred. On a positive note, the player is not required to compulsorily bet his winnings.

            A card game with innumerable variations, poker is also one of the most popularly played card games. Popular versions include Caribbean Stud Poker, Let It Ride Poker, Texas Hold ‘Em and Three-Card Poker. Each of these versions of online poker, at least one available in almost every casino, has its own rules and betting systems. A game that requires much practice, online poker versions allow beginners to learn the game without having to make too many high bets. A number of online casino websites also offer poker training, something that would never be possible at poker tables in conventional casinos.

            Slots are one of the fewest games that are found in casinos that do not require the person to have gambling knowledge. A simple game, online slots was originally invented in the late 1800’s. While the betting system is slightly different for slots than it is for other games offered in casinos, the system is still simple to follow. There are countless numbers of variations to the game of slots available online with different jackpots – the non-progressive, progressive and random jackpots. The versions also vary in terms of the paylines and number of reels it has  as well.

            Another commonly sought after and played online game is Roulette. Involving not just strategy, but also luck, this popular game is offered by many web-based casinos as well. When players play roulette, they can conveniently play at their own pace, rather than have to wait for other players to place bets or for the dealer either. All the Internet-based casinos follow a similar betting system that involves an inside- and outside- betting option. The ‘zero rule’ also applies to most online roulette games. Even when playing roulette online, the casino game depends heavily on luck, and the winning follows a random pattern.

            Craps is a popular internet-based casino game that involves rolling two dice. In web-based casinos, craps is a virtual casino game, where the dice are rolled at the click of the mouse button. The game is popularly offered as a multiplayer game in most of the internet-based casinos. Baccarat is another casino game offered by many internet-based casinos. While the game usually involves one player and the house (or computer), many casino websites permit other players to bet on the game. Baccarat is becoming more popular online in recent times. Keno is game based on lucky numbers, also offered by a number of internet-based casinos. The number of players who play this game online is quite large as well. While these online games may not be as popular as slots, or the card games, they are nonetheless much-preferred games offered by a large number of internet-based casinos.

            When playing web-based online games, players are awarded bonuses (in the form of credits or bonus cash gifts) for certain reasons. When new players register with them, almost every online casino offers them a signing bonus. Many internet-based casinos require the player to make an initial deposit (that he cannot cash out until a certain point) in order to receive the signing bonus. The No Deposit Bonus, on the other hand, does not require the player to make the deposit, but to only register with the internet-based casino. A Match Bonus refers to when the internet-based casino matches a certain part (or percentage) of the total amount of your deposit when offering the player a bonus. Free Money Bonuses are the fixed amount of bonus money that is awarded to players when they make a deposit with the internet-based casino. On the other hand, a Sticky Bonus refers to a bonus that a player cannot cash out. He can only play with the bonus money, and cash out the winnings, if any. A few elite internet-based casinos even offer their regular or returning customers Loyalty Bonuses for simply choosing to register and play their online games. A handful of internet-based casinos even offer Reload Bonuses for when the player deposits (or reloads) more money. The casino bonuses offered by any internet-based casino and the amount of these bonuses solely depend on the internet-based casino in question. Therefore, before signing up with any internet-based casino, it would be advisable for players to check their casino bonus policies. Many new online casino websites may offer better (more attractive) online casino bonuses to attract more clients.