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Examining the Rise of Online Gaming

Kay TurnerMay 21, 2018

Humans have a rich history of gaming, with definitive evidence of it dating back more than five thousand years. There was such a love for games for some Egyptians that they thought to bury dice with the dead, so they could have them in the afterlife. Though the games and the way we play them have changed drastically over the years, the thrill and excitement are all the same.

The rise of the internet age has allowed gaming to reach a broader audience with a range of preferences, hailing from all walks of life. With the ability to play any time of day and from anywhere with internet access, there has never been a better way to gamble.

How have online casinos and gambling sites changed the way we play games?

Modern Gaming in the UK

Among the many games now available to play at a moment’s notice, online slots remain the most popular; almost half of all revenue collected by online casinos comes from their slot machine games. Regulations require a guaranteed pay out on luck-based games, making slots a safe and efficient choice. Online slots offer a unique and interactive experience that’s just not possible on a traditional reel. Games like the exclusive Coins of Egypt slot at Betsafe Casino pair old-style slot machine mechanics with new-style arcade gameplay and graphics.

Beginning of an Industry

1996 marked the first ever online casino for UK residents. The internet was still young and access to it was still limited. Regulations at that time were still catching up to public opinion and trends, leaving internet casinos in a legal grey area. At the time, gaming establishments were prohibited from robust advertising that limited their ability to draw in customers. To understand what a mess gambling laws were in, some of the regulations from as far back as 1845 were still in the books.

Unnecessary restrictions and legal hurtles put a damper on the potential income casinos and gaming halls could make, and ultimately limited the amount of taxes that could be collected from the activities held within them. In an effort to lessen the legal burden and make gambling more accessible, lobbying and pleas were made to policy makers.

Smart Gambling Legislation Leads to a Boom in Online Casinos

Years of inadequate legislation finally came to an end in 2005 with the introduction of the Gambling Act. Designed to establish a commission for fair and lawful operation of online casinos, the Gambling Act of 2005 provided a way for online casinos to finally advertise their services. Along with the looser restrictions on advertising, the commission would oversee that casinos adhere to a strict pay out percentage and protect customers from predatory organisations.

Since the act was put into service, online casinos have enjoyed a huge boost in visitors and revenue collected. Growth is expected to continue at an ever-faster rate into the foreseeable future, with each year’s numbers looking better than the last.

The effect the internet has had in shaping the world of gaming has been profound. Traditional methods of gambling are still popular, but the increasing popularity of online casinos may soon surpass them on a global scale. There has never been a simpler way to play the games you love any time of day!