The Timeline of Online Gambling

Gambling, casinos, casino games and wagering have existed for thousands of years. But it was this year that Microgaming, the first online gambling software provider, was founded and the entire industry started rolling. Microgaming remains one of the industry's leaders to this day.

By passing a free trade gambling law, Antigua and Barbuda make it possible for online casino companies to base their Internet operations in this Caribbean nation. The country remains a central location in and around which the industry evolves to this day to a large degree.

Joining Microgaming, CryptoLogic, an online security software company, develops methods to make secure financial transactions over the Web.

With the software and security now developed, it is time for the first online casino to launch - InterCasino. It would continue leading the way for the years to follow, winning prizes along the way for best online casino.

The stage is set, software developed and security issues solved. InterCasino accepts the first real money wager online. It will pay out over $3 billion in winnings in the decade plus since.

The Online Casino Reports website is launched, as a portal at this stage, ten years before our current web community format.

Progressive jackpots will change the industry at large and the lives of many lucky winners. Cash Splash, the first progressive jackpot slot ever, is launched by Microgaming. With several casino sites and numerous players online at the same time, countless wagers add up to form a cummulative jackpot.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R.-AZ), who has been a vocal critic of online gambling, introduces the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act. This is the first formal attempt to ban online gambling in the US. The bill fails.

The industry is now worthy of its name, with sums near a billion dollars generated this year; $834.5 million to be exact.

Another important development in the gaming evolution, Boss Media releases its multi-player gaming platform development. No longer must gamblers play against the house. Now they can play in a group around a (virtual) table.

Sen. Jon Kyl is back with yet another bill in an attempt to shut down the industry in the United States and prohibit companies from offering online gambling services to American citizens. The bill fails to pass.

Another milestone for the online casino world, with as many as 700 sites operating in the web.

The industry now has more options in host countries, as Gibraltar and the Isle of Man, both UK territories, offer licenses for sports betting sites to base their operations in them.

Another sign for the industry's size and legitimacy, Cryptologic is listed on NASDAQ. Under the sign CRYP, the company leads the way for other stock market listings.

As the industry settles and the pieces settle in place, it is time to break some records. A gigantic progressive jackpot of $414,119 is won at The Sands of the Caribbean online casino - the largest to date.

On pace to double the amounts won across the boards, the largest jackpot record prize reaches one million dollars. A $1.5 million jackpot is won at the Microgaming progressive slot game Major Millions at Captain Cooks Casino.

Companies sprawl and stocks climb as the industry proves viable and demand for gambling high. The industry reaches the value of $4.5 billion worth.

Completing the transition from online poker to poker's main stage, online player Chris Moneymaker takes the world of online poker and traditional poker by a storm, as he wins first place and $2.5 million at the World Series of Poker.

The independent standards authority, non-profit organization eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance) is founded. Its goal is to fill in for the lack of regulatory body and to protect users. It is heard and respected ever since.

Gaming and games get more creative and engaging, as Playtech develops live gaming. From now on, gamblers may use videostreaming and face live dealers on the screen.

In a case brought to the world's trade governing body, the WTO (World Trade Organization), it sides with Antigua and Barbuda and against the US policy of closing off online gambling to Americans.

End of year numbers show that Americans still make a large piece of the pie, with 51% of the record $8.5 billion industry revenue coming from American gamblers.

The industry shifts toward England, both in focusing on European gamblers and by trading on the London Stock Exchange, where PartyGaming enters FTSE 100.

Setting a new record for the largest progressive jackpot won, moving from $1 million to the $2 million mark, a player takes in $1,966,000 at the Gold Rally slot at Carnival Casino.

The industry does not slow down as the promise of online gambling becomes a money making and widely popular industry. It peaks at $12 billion.

Tens of millions of gamblers around the world need a choice of online casinos. A choice is given them indeed. 2,300 gambling sites operate in a count conducted this year.

In a turn of events, the US authorities arrest BetOnSports CEO David Carruthers upon arrival in the US, shutting off the site's services to Americans. This causes a stir in the industry and its largest market.

By way of the Safe Port Act, the US Senate also includes and passes the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). Finally, for the opponents, success on the Hill.

In one of the most critical days in online gambling history, US President Bush signs the bill into law and effectively bans Americans from gambling online.

This year has seen some efforts, though limited and yet to fully materialize, of Congress members such as Rep. Barney Frank (D.-MA) and his Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act (IGREA).

The UK capitalizes on this shift of focus from the US to Europe, introducing and setting in place its Gambling Act, which legalizes and takes to regulate the online gambling industry. Ads appear on television for casinos and online gambling.

Our 2008 Summary Video features the year's headlines, including $5.5 million and $4 million progressive jackpots won at Jackpot Ballroom Casino and Joyland Casino, respectively.

Record sports betting action surrounded the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

And while a promise of change has entered the White House with the election of Barack Obama, actual regulation was successfully implemented, South Africa has moved in the same direction, and Online Casino Reports has spread to over 30 countries and markets in foreign languages.

At just 21 years of age, Joe Cada has won the Main Event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). His lot - $8.55 million. Cada is a familiar face online, playing under the name JCada99 at online poker room Full Tilt Poker.

In spite of the economic hard-times that the world has faced as a whole, some of the biggest prizes were won this year at online casinos, including $5 million at Party Casino, �4 million at Casino Euro, $1.3 million playing on King Casino, �6.3 Million Won at Mega Moolah Slots at River Belle Casino.