There’s no question that 2024 will become one of the most important and influential years for the online casino industry. More states like Rhode Island finally launched their first wave of online casinos. Also, 2024 has seen arguably the most new social casinos come online and in more than 40 states. From real money to social casinos to the latest games, the common thread is technology.
Without question, the online casino industry, even in its infancy, has been a haven for technological advancement. Today, because it is worth more than $60 billion annually, all eyes are on the iGaming sector and the impressive technological advancements that spur it on.
A Brief History of Online Casinos
It is widely credited that the first legal online casinos launched in 1994. Several countries were quick to legalize this new gaming technology, but not in the United States. The United States not initially legalizing online casinos set the stage for traditional American casino players to play online at offshore casinos.
The Early Online Casino Technology
The issue was often unregulated sites, but most importantly, spotty technology. In the early days of iGaming, Flash technology was the universal technology used to create animations and visuals. The problem with Flash is that it is highly limited in functions and often leads to sudden glitches and crashes. There are far too many players who we would care to count, and we have lost plenty of high-stakes games and jackpots because of this glitch.
To compound the problem, Flash technology and the early online casinos ran on the dial-up modem. This painfully slow technology was often unpredictable and helped lead to massive glitches and crashes. For these reasons, many American players were skeptical about trying online casinos.
The Rise of Broadband Internet
However, from 2004 to 2005, the introduction of broadband internet transformed the online casino industry for the better. With broadband internet came more stable game connections, as did the rise of new casino game technology – HTML5. The leading offshore online casinos quickly switched over and retooled their sites for more accommodating broadband internet. It was during this period, from 2005 to the present day, that the modern-day online casino industry truly took off. With a more stable Internet connection and greater bandwidth, online casinos and game developers began overhauling and improving their casino games for the better.
The Switch from Flash Technology to HTML5
With the rush to transition to broadband Internet, the top online casinos began overhauling their websites for more improved graphics from HTML5 technology. With broadband Internet improving by the year, the time finally came for America to legalize online casinos. Delaware broke the ice in 2012, and New Jersey followed suit in 2013. Eventually, in 2024, five more states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania, legalized online casinos. Right on time, these states showcased premium online casino sites using enhanced HTML5 technology. The results are more fluid UX browsing experiences and blazing-fast page loads, something that Flash sites couldn’t deliver.
HTML5 Pioneering New Gameplay
Developing new websites was only the tip of the technological iceberg made possible with HTML5. Thanks to HTML5, prominent game developers like NetEnt and Microgaming made another massive technological leap by redesigning casino games away from Flash. The results began with the rise of the 3D slot game era.
From the 3D slot era came the new phenomenon of slot game categories like mega jackpots, mega ways, and hold-and-win spins. In addition to the supersmooth graphics and fluid gameplay, these 3D slot games also packed multiple complex bonus rounds beyond the free spins play.
The Technological Rise of Live Dealer Play
Live dealer technology is where online casino players can get an authentic casino table game experience competing against the dealer or croupier from their mobile devices or web browsers. While we take for granted how smooth the live dealer play is, the early live dealer technology was a diamond in the rough.
Thanks to Evolution Gaming adjusting and retooling with the rise of broadband Internet and HTML5 technology, they found the magic smooth formula in 2019 when live dealer casino play took off. With this formula intact, other developers like Playtech and Beter Live for social casinos like High 5 and McLuck, now benefit immensely from this advanced and smooth technological advancement.
Conclusion
Perhaps the biggest technological leap for online casinos continues to be mobile gaming. The startling development of dedicated casino apps continues to draw new members to create casino accounts. Also, to encourage mobile play, these online casinos promote exclusive promotions. AI also takes online casino technology to new heights with sophisticated cybersecurity measures and more personalized gaming experiences.
