The First Online Casino: History of Online Gambling

Since the year the first online casino was built, the online gambling industry has experienced a whirlwind of changes. It started from a humble, simple digital card game to the massive global platform we see today. Keep scrolling to learn all the important milestones and major developments throughout history.

When Was The First Online Casino?

The first online casino appeared in 1994. This landmark year saw two critical developments in the history of gambling.

First, Antigua and Barbuda passed the Free Trade and Processing Act, a law that allowed companies to apply for licenses to operate online gambling. It was the necessary legal framework to launch an online casino.

In that same year (1994), a software company called Microgaming developed Gaming Club, the world’s first online casino platform. It offered simple versions of classic games like blackjack, roulette, and poker. Players around the world were given the opportunity to play these casino games on their computers for the first time without leaving their homes.

Although Microgaming’s software looked basic by today’s standards, it was still pioneering at the time and set the stage for a revolutionary new way to gamble.

In the next five years, the online casino industry was rapidly gaining popularity, thanks to the establishment of online gambling companies and platforms like Planet Poker (1998) and Paradise Poker (1999).

A Look Back at The History of Online Gambling

Four years after Microgaming’s first online casino, Planet Poker made the headline as the first real-money poker platform. Later, US states such as New Jersey and Delaware began licensing online casinos, and crypto casinos grew into their own segment.

1998: Planet Poker Pioneered Online Poker Platforms

Planet Poker, launched in 1998 by the Canadian engineer Randy Blumer, was the first online platform to offer a real-money poker game.

Planet Poker first appeared in 1998.

Before its establishment, Planet Poker advertised on Card Player, a poker magazine, to build public interest. On its first day and over the next three months, the platform hosted a $3-$6 Texas Hold’em game, which quickly gained popularity among gambling enthusiasts and led to more game spreads, such as Limit Hold’em, No-limit Hold’em, Omaha High, and 7-Stud.

However, by 1999, competition emerged with the launch of Paradise Poker, which offered smoother gameplay in comparison. When Planet Poker faced a severe technical issue and was forced to stay offline for more than a day, players decided to switch to another platform. Paradise Poker quickly overtook Planet Poker and became the new industry leader.

Despite its decline, Planet Poker still paved the way for the online gambling industry. Its legacy as the first online poker site remains a significant milestone in history.

2003: Moneymaker Sparked Global Interest in Online Gambling

In 2003, television producer Steven Lipscomb created the World Poker Tour (WPT) to bring high-stakes poker tournaments to TV. The same year, televised coverage of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) helped turn poker into a mainstream TV event.

What made poker on TV stand out was that the audience could see the cards that players kept hidden from each other. As a result, viewers were given a front-row seat to every dramatic strategy and decision made during the game.

Chris Moneymaker, an amateur who qualified through an online satellite tournament, won the 2003 WSOP Main Event and became an overnight celebrity. His win showed everyday players that an online qualifier could lead to the biggest event in poker. The sudden interest in poker and online gambling after his victory was called the “Moneymaker” effect.

Chris Moneymaker became a global superstar (Source: flickr.com).

His victory has fueled a rapid expansion of online poker players. In 2019, 8,569 players were reported to join the live World Series of Poker tournament, according to CNN.

2006 to 2019: The UIGEA and Online Gambling Legalization

In 2006, the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) was enacted, becoming part of the Safe Port Act, a law originally created to improve security at U.S. ports.

The UIGEA was added to the Safe Port Act at the last minute, and it specifically targeted online gambling. Although it did not outright ban online gambling, the UIGEA made it illegal for a business to process payments for online bets or wagers (e.g., checks, credit cards, or bank transfers) if gambling was already illegal under state or federal law.

The law was controversial for two reasons. First, it was added to the Safe Port Act, which focused on national security, without much discussion or debate. Lawmakers did not even realize the gambling law was included when they voted on the bill. Second, the UIGEA was vague about what exactly counted as illegal gambling, leaving enforcement up to interpretation.

Nevertheless, this controversy did not stop the online gambling industry from developing. Over time, U.S. states began legalizing and regulating online gambling. New Jersey and Delaware launched online casinos in 2013, Nevada licensed online poker the same year, and Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut and Rhode Island followed. As of November 2026, seven states have live, licensed online casinos; our online gambling laws by state guide lists them.

2020: Crypto Casinos Arise

Since around 2020, crypto casinos such as Cloudbet, which launched in 2013, have grown quickly. Instead of standard fiat currencies (dollars, euros, etc.), players use Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin cryptocurrencies to place bets and participate in casino games, like poker, blackjack, slots, etc.

Bitcoin remains the most common coin at these sites, alongside Ethereum, Litecoin and stablecoins such as Tether. Our crypto casinos guide explains how crypto deposits and withdrawals work today.

The crypto casino industry saw a steady rise.

Speed and privacy drive much of this trend: crypto payments can clear faster than bank transfers and need no card details. Many crypto casinos still require identity checks before larger withdrawals, and most hold offshore licenses rather than local ones, which limits player protection.

Online gambling is entertainment with a built-in cost. Set limits before you play and use our responsible gambling guide if you need support. For more guides on games, odds and bonuses, visit our online casino guide hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. The first online casino, Netprolive.com
2. The First Online Casino: Created by Microgaming, Casino.com
3. Planet Poker official website (archived), web.archive.org
4. World Poker Tour, worldpokertour.com
5. Chris Moneymaker and the WSOP, CNN (November 17, 2021)