When Was The First Online Casino Established?

The first online casino was established in 1994 following the Free Trade & Processing Act in Antigua and Barbuda, which allowed licenses for online gambling operators. Microgaming developed the first true online casino software in 1994. InterCasino launched in 1996 as one of the first real-money online casinos, paving the way for the modern iGaming industry.

• 1994: Free Trade & Processing Act passed in Antigua and Barbuda, enabling online gambling licenses [citation:5]
• 1994: Microgaming founded — developed first true online casino software
• 1995: First online sportsbooks begin operating
• 1996: InterCasino launches, becoming one of the first real-money online casinos
• 1998: First online poker rooms appear
• 2000s: Online gambling expands globally with new licensing jurisdictions
• 2009: Bitcoin launched — first crypto casinos emerge years later [citation:8]
• 2010s: Mobile gaming transforms the industry [citation:4]
• 2020s: Live dealer, VR, and AI integration reshape player experience [citation:1]

• First software provider: Microgaming (1994) — still operating today
• First real-money casino: InterCasino (1996)
• First licensing jurisdiction: Antigua and Barbuda (1994) [citation:5]
• First progressive jackpot: Microgaming's Cash Splash (1998)
• First live dealer: Playtech launched live casino (2006)
• First crypto casino: SatoshiDice (2012) — Bitcoin gambling

• 1994: First license issued, industry in infancy
• 2026: Global casino market reaches $152.64 billion [citation:1]
• 2030 projection: $181.08 billion [citation:1]
• UK active gamblers (2023): 24.7 million [citation:1]
• Mobile share: 65.5% in Southeast Asia [citation:4]