Following the formation of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in 1996, another significant milestone in the history of internet gambling occurred. The commission was founded with the goal of issuing gaming licenses and is owned and controlled by a Mohawk Indian tribe situated in Canada.
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established at the same time as the first online gambling sites appeared, however, who was first is a point of contention. The history of online gambling is plagued with inconsistencies, and although some sources claim that InterCasino was the first virtual platform, others claim that Microgaming was the first. Microgaming’s GamingClub, which opened in late 1995, beat them to the punch.
The internet gaming business exploded after this first launch. There were around 15 internet gambling sites in existence by the end of 1996. Furthermore, by the end of 1997, the business had grown, with more than 200 online casinos, poker sites, and sportsbooks operating across the globe, generating yearly sales of more than $1 billion.
Online sportsbooks were a logical step from virtual casinos and poker sites. InterTops was the first platform to provide a new option for fans to bet on their favorite teams in 1996. InterTops’ early success prompted quick development, and within two years, several of the world’s most prestigious bookmakers, including William Hill and Ladbrokes, had launched their own online gambling sites.
Initially, these companies offered enormous bonuses and cash-back deals to entice gamblers to play online. These partnerships have become less common as the market has developed. However, if you know where to search, the current online gaming environment is still a Mecca for bonuses (and fortunately we do).
Betfair’s Perplexing Case
After Betfair joined the market in the year 2000, another intriguing trend in online sports betting emerged. With the development of peer-to-peer wagering, this online gambling platform elevated sports betting to a new level. This approach, which was almost unique in the business, enabled participants to place wagers amongst themselves while the site collected a fee on each wager.
In-play sports betting delivered another surge to the internet market two years after Betfair was founded. Due to its flexibility with both desktop and mobile devices, live sports betting has proved to be tremendously popular and one of the most interesting new sports gambling options on the market today.
Planet Poker is widely regarded as the first online gaming service to provide poker. This platform, which was founded in 1998, immediately drew a considerable number of players, including WSOP bracelet winner Chris “Jesus” Ferguson.
Unfortunately, the website has a lot of technical issues and other flaws. Many individuals were still utilising dial-up internet connections back then, which resulted in a slew of speed and downloading concerns.
The demise of Planet Poker, on the other hand, paved the way for other poker sites like Paradise Poker, partypoker, and, ultimately, PokerStars. Paradise began operations in 1999 from a base in Costa Rica and soon rose to the top of the industry. Paradise Poker was able to jam thousands of players onto its platform on a daily basis because to a more sophisticated technology than Planet Poker.
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