🏛️ Early Beginnings (Before 2000)
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Year Event 1994 First Online Casino Launched – The first online casino, Casino-on-Net, is launched in Antigua and Barbuda after the Free Trade & Processing Act allows companies to operate online casinos. 1996 Introduction of Real Money Games – Real money games are introduced, allowing players to gamble online for actual cash prizes.
📈 Rapid Growth (2000 – 2010)
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Year Event 2001 Online Gambling Boom – With advancements in technology and internet access, online gambling sees a meteoric rise in popularity. 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) – The US passes UIGEA, affecting the online gambling industry and leading to the closure of many casinos.
🔒 Regulation and Legitimacy (2011 – 2020)
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Year Event 2011 New Jersey Legalizes Online Gambling – New Jersey becomes the first state in the US to regulate online gambling. 2018 Supreme Court Ruling – The US Supreme Court strikes down PASPA, allowing states to legalize sports betting and online casinos.
✨ Modern Era (2021 – Present)
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Year Event 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic – An increase in online gambling as physical casinos shut down during lockdowns. 2022 Technological Innovations – The rise of live dealer games and mobile apps enhances player experience and accessibility. 2023 Cryptocurrency Integration – More casinos start accepting cryptocurrencies as a payment method, catering to a new demographic of players.