It was 1994 in Antigua and Barbuda’s tiny island country, and a certain law was passed, which made the location a legal jurisdiction, allowing it to issue gambling licenses. This law paved the way for online gaming, and until today, most gambling companies would base their business in the country to utilize their license.
The gaming software came years before the commencement of online gaming. An Isle on Man-based software company called Microgaming developed the first fully operational online casino software, which gave birth to many online gambling sites. Whereas Cryptologic, an online security software company, provided the indispensable software which made internet transaction safe, secure, and workable. By 1995, the first online casino was launched.
Like many things that did not have a smooth start, the launch of online gambling also met many obstacles. One major problem it met along the way was the legality of the trade. The very idea and concept of online gambling were opposed and resisted by many, especially in the United States. Several times, Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona tried to prevent American citizens from gambling online and promoted anti-gambling campaigns.
Recently, on September 30, 2006, the US Congress passed a bill stating it is illegal for banks and credit card companies to process payments from US residents to online gambling companies. This bill later became a law that President Bush signed on October 13.
But although online gambling has been fought against by many individuals, organizations, and even the government, many are still captivated by the allure of this addiction. Thus despite all the disputes, supporters and players worldwide are hooked on participating in online gambling. The most common online gambling games are:
- Online Poker, or Internet Poker, is known to be partially responsible for the dramatic increase in the number of poker players worldwide. Online poker tables mostly host Texas hold ’em, Omaha, Seven-card stud, and razz, both in tournament and ring game structures.
- Online Casinos utilize the internet to play casino games roulette, blackjack, pachinko, baccarat, and many others. According to their interface, Internet casinos may also be divided into three groups: Web-based casinos, Download-based casinos, and Live casinos. Web-based casinos are played without the need to download software for playing games. Plug-ins must be installed in the browser to accommodate such games. Download-based casinos require clients to download software to play and wager on the casino games offered. The software connects to the casino service provider and handles contact without browser support. Whereas Live-based casinos allow online players to play and interact with the games played in real-world casinos. In this setting, players connected online could see, hear, and interact with live dealers at tables in casino studios worldwide.
- Online Sports Betting, where there are various sporting events that a player could wager over the internet like fixed-odds gambling. Wagering or betting could be done through Bookmakers, spread betting firms, and betting exchanges.
- Online bingos are also available via the internet. Also, for Mobile gambling, there are now developments in the utility of wireless and cellular devices in gambling, notwithstanding the raucous debates for gambling online.
Gambling can take on many forms as casinos, lotteries, online gambling, TABs, and racing events.
