Playing poker on the latest iPhone or Android devices is as easy as looking up the bus schedule or firing-off a quick text. But can you imagine what playing poker looked like 20 years ago? And how about 50?
Playing Everygame mobile poker games seems like the most natural thing nowadays, thanks to the rapidly evolving technology that allows players to place bets at any time - and from anywhere.
Let's take a closer look at what gambling looked like in the past and try to understand how the latest tech changed the face of the poker industry.
Poker: Now and Then
The Early Days
The first land-based casino opened in Venice back in the 17th century, and for almost three hundred years, gambling hasn't changed much. And then, as technology began evolving rapidly – BAM! In the span of a couple of decades, the way people placed their bets took a turn for the better.
People frequented brick-and-mortar venues for decades without complaint, playing their favorite card games and enjoying gambling in a prestigious environment. And then slot machines were invented in 1894. The Liberty Bell was an iconic yet unsophisticated machine, but it was quite revolutionary for its time.
Entering the Digital Era
Fast forward almost a century to 1976, when the first video slot machine hit the market, allowing players to get a glimpse into the industry's future. This is when things began to evolve a lot faster than before. In the past, it took decades – if not centuries – for things to change even slightly. However, the 20th century was characterized by rapid technological advancements, and it affected the poker industry as well.
In 1994, the first online gambling venue became available to the public, using the first full-functioning gambling software by Microgaming. For two years, there were only about 15 operating online casinos.
But the popularity of those venues skyrocketed, and by 1997 there were more than 200 online casinos and poker rooms for players to enjoy. A few years later, multiplayer online casino games were introduced to the world, making the digital gambling market even more appealing to the masses.
Gambling on the Go
Computers might have been all the rage in the 90s, as they were considered the top tier of advancement. But they were soon replaced by mobile devices as the public's favorite. In 2003, the Mobile Lottery launched the first mobile gambling platform in the United Kingdom, and the United States followed closely behind.
Most online casinos figured out that allowing players to play on the go is crucial, and nowadays, almost every online poker room allows you to play both from your computer and smartphone. Every year, as new Android devices and iPhones hit the market, the quality of your mobile gambling experience becomes more and more realistic and exciting.
Most smartphones support the best gambling software out there, so all you need to do is pick a game and start playing.
How Far Will Technology Go?
It might seem as if we have everything we need to have the perfect gambling experience at any given moment, but history taught us that things can change in the blink of an eye. AI, virtual reality, and other technological advances have the potential to revolutionize the online gambling market yet again. What does the future hold for the poker industry? We are excited to find out!