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A Historical Overview of Casino Software
The online casino software that players use today is very different from the ones that first appeared during the early days of online gambling. What people take for granted nowadays were practically unheard of during the early history of casino software.
During those days most company would offer a few casino games in the software package suite. The reason was not for lack of creativity, but rather it was a limitation imposed by the available technology. During that period the fastest Internet connection one could hope for was a 33.6 modem.
From the numerous software developers in the market, Microgaming set itself apart with its production. Its Internet Casino System series, released in 1996, was the very first online casino to be released and revolutionized the online gambling industry with its top notch games.
The popularity of online casino software released by companies like Microgaming, Grand Virtual, BossMedia and StarNet led to a boom of sorts in the 1990s. However, at this stage, the online gambling industry had not set established a standardized set of rules and regulations. This made some online casinos easy prey for syndicates.
The early years of Internet gambling included some stories of online operators being hacked and extorted for money, and conversely, some dubious online gambling sites trying to hoodwink unsuspecting players.
The history of casino software would be radically altered in 1995 with the release of CryptoLogic Inc.'s processing software ECash. For the longest time the problem of secure financial transactions was what held players from participating in online casinos. Aside from being insecure, it also took weeks before the money was transferred to the winning player by the casino.
CryptoLogic, and the others that have followed it however, had eliminated the problem, and with rapid advances in Internet related technology, multiplayer software and developments in broadband, online gambling and casino software have not looked back.
Another change is that with the establishment of eCogra (eCommerce and online gaming regulation and assurance) in 2003, as well as strict rules and regulations overseeing casino operations on the Web, a player is now assured that most online casino were complying with the strict standards imposed by the governing bodies, not to mention the government policy.
The latest trends in casino software nowadays are mobile games, as developers and operators are seeing the monetary potential in the wireless industry. While it is still early days, and there in fact some doubt as to its viability, the same can be said of the online gambling industry when it first started, and look where it is now.