Evolving technology has helped to transform the ways that casinos function in the modern age. As well as land-based establishments, players now have the option to play their favourite casino games online.
On their path from pixelated Slots to modern productions like Crazy Time casino, online casinos have already come a long way in just a couple of decades. But even if you’ve already played with an online casino, do you know these five facts?
- The first online casino
Like many other sectors, casinos were quick to start experimenting with the possibilities of the internet ahead of the millennium. But did you know the date when the very first online casino was launched?
Microgaming – still a major player in the casino industry today – launched their online casino platform in 1994. This helped to pave the way for the more modern platforms and sites we see today, even though its graphics and design were rather pixelated.
- The role of random number generators
Every game offered by reputable online casinos relies on one particular piece of tech, known as a random number generator (RNG). These are complicated computer algorithms that are responsible for determining the result of each spin of the reels, shuffle of the cards or roll of the dice.
RNGs generate strings of hundreds to thousands of random numbers in any given second, with each of those numbers corresponding to a particular symbol on the slot game reel, card face or position of the Roulette wheel. Once play is initiated the software locks in the current string of numbers, using these to determine the game’s outcome.
The most important factor of RNGs is their ability to guarantee randomness, with the result of any single game being completely independent of any previous one.
- The rise of live dealer games
Bringing together the online experience with elements of live play, live dealer games have taken off in recent years. These games use real dealers who manage the game in real-time, broadcasting to online players via live streaming.
Dealers will use physical game components present in the room with them, such as a Roulette wheel or decks of cards. This creates a very different experience compared to purely digital games, with players able to choose from multiple camera angles to customise their view of the action.
- Mobile gaming is the dominant market force
The widespread rise in smartphone and tablet use prompted developers to pivot their attention. Mobile is now the dominant platform among players of online casino games, with casinos offering mobile-optimised websites and even dedicated apps.
You no longer need a desktop PC to experience online casino games, with the gameplay experience just as smooth on any device with a strong enough internet connection.
- Online casino regulations and licensing
Land-based and online casinos are both subject to strict regulations and licensing conditions aimed at protecting players’ best interests. As long as they choose to play in a properly regulated online casino, players are just as safe as they would be in a land-based venue.
This level of regulation also ensures that all games on offer have results that are truly random and fair to the player.
Did you learn something new about online casinos today? Even if you didn’t, there’s still far more to the landscape of online casino gaming than you might think.
