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The face of the betting industry has really changed over the years, thanks to technology. Since the opening of the first casino in Italy in 1638, almost everything has gotten faster and better.
Irish people, as well as other Europeans, were the first people to experience this change. After exquisite gambling halls have entertained us for hundreds of years, we have seen the best casino sites almost replacing them. Let’s show you some of the big changes that casinos have seen in recent decades.
A brief history of casinos to this present day on the globe and in Ireland
Long before money came into existence, people made bets on their properties. Primitive humans won goats, sheep, clothing, and food from those wagers. The first early signs of organized gambling appeared in Central Asia. The inns and trading posts along the silk road were places where people gambled for fun.
In a short time, this activity spread throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe eventually. Many people in western Europe loved gambling to the extent that King Henry VIII of England had to outlaw it at a point.
He did so because he felt that his soldiers were getting carried away with it. Ironically, King Henry VIII himself loved gambling. The nobles of Europe enjoyed it. Since Ireland was a part of England at the time, the country shares almost the same gambling history as the UK. Today, the country still has thousands of traditional casinos.
In the 17th century, the first casino for luxurious betting opened in Italy. Over the centuries, more casinos sprung up in Venice. These establishments started employing servants and cooks to take care of their clients. In the next few centuries, casinos crept into Latin America and North America.
It’s impossible to explore the history of modern casinos thoroughly. Nevertheless, Some ways that casinos have improved in recent times include:
- Improved accessibility and availability
- Increased public awareness
- Better technology
- The introduction of cryptocurrency
Increased accessibility and availability
In the past, you had to drive for miles before you got to a brick-and-mortar casino. This system has changed, thanks to the internet revolution.
Not everyone has the luxury of spending his entire evening in a physical casino. With your smartphone or laptop, you can log in and play on any betting site of your choice.
Also, live casino games can compensate for the social aspect of a physical gambling hub. It is possible to play online blackjack with a dealer and other players from various parts of the globe.
Statistics have shown that most people prefer online betting to brick-and-mortar casinos.
However, some people still love to do things the old-school way. Land-based casinos have also improved their services. They have better equipment, classic music, a comfy atmosphere, and good food and drinks.
More popularity and public awareness
Since the existence of mankind, people have always played games to chance. The main purpose is to have fun and relieve stress.
That trend is still with us. During the days of physical betting houses, some people were left out of the action. But in today’s world of thousands of casino sites and Mobile phones, nobody can claim to be left out.
Currently, millions of people sign up on new betting sites every year. In 2021, the revenue of the casino industry increased to about 231 billion dollars.
Better technology
In the 80s and 90s, personal computers were only for the rich folks. To play their favorite online games, most people had to go to cyber cafes to play. As technology got better, the cost of personal computers reduced to the extent that most people had them in their homes.
In the present day, you can play top-notch games in a flash by bringing your smartphone out of your pocket. Internet speeds have also improved from the slow G to the fast 4G and 5G networks. In the past, you had to wait for several seconds for web pages to load.
That’s not the case again today. The graphics of modern slots and games have also gotten sharper, brighter, and more beautiful. In the past, slot machines were mechanical devices with gears and levers that required high maintenance. Now, this equipment has a visual computer screen and properly randomized software.
Introduction of cryptocurrency
The introduction of bitcoin and other digital currencies is arguably the newest thing in the casino industry. And, this development has been great for the generation of more revenue for the casino stakeholders.
Cryptocurrency provides an anonymous and transparent medium for punters to make withdrawals and deposits. The decentralization factor is the main advantage.
No government or central financial authority has any control over cryptocurrency payments. Also, payments get processed in minutes compared to days for the traditional payment methods.
Final thoughts
The sky’s the limit for the casino industry. Augmented reality and virtual reality are gradually creeping into the betting world.
It’s only a matter of time before these two technologies go mainstream. We will only keep seeing the integration of new technologies into the casino industry. Let’s keep our ears open to hear more news on the newest developments.
