📜 The Evolution of Online Pokies (1990s – Present)
🕹️ 1990s: The Birth of Online Gaming
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1994: The first online casinos are launched in Antigua and Barbuda.
Event Impact Establishment of the Free Trade & Processing Zone Allowed online gambling to flourish in the Caribbean. -
1996: The introduction of the first online poker rooms.
Event Impact Launch of Planet Poker Started the trend for online gambling platforms.
💻 2000s: Rapid Growth and Regulation
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2000: The advent of more sophisticated software.
Event Impact Release of RealTime Gaming software Enhanced the user experience with better graphics. -
2006: The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is enacted in the U.S.
Event Impact UIGEA Implementation Significantly limited online gambling operations in the U.S.
🚀 2010s: Mobile Revolution and Market Expansion
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2010: The rise of mobile gaming platforms.
Event Impact Launch of HTML5 technology Allowed pokies to be played on smartphones and tablets. -
2017: The legalization of online gambling in several U.S. states.
Event Impact New Jersey legalizes online gambling Set a precedent for others states to follow.
🌐 Present Day (2020s): The Future of Online Pokies
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2020: Rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gambling.
Event Impact Introduction of VR pokies Enhanced the immersive gaming experience for players. -
2023: Expansion of cryptocurrencies in online gambling platforms.
Event Impact Inclusion of Bitcoin and Ethereum on platforms Provided more secure and anonymous transactions.