Human fascination with chance has buoyed the growth of online casinos over the centuries. From the ancient die roll in Mesopotamia to the immersive world of online gaming, humans have always fancied better and swifter ways to explore fun and funds. Here’s traveling back in time to see how gambling has evolved over the years, leaving its mark on Europe’s collective heritage.

The Greeks and Romans: Europe’s Passionate Gamblers

The Greeks, who are famous for their sporting events, have always been passionate gamblers. Long before reviews of Polish online casinos platforms became a thing, Grecian gambling adventures ranged from street dice games called “tesserae” to gamblers on the outcomes of the Olympic Games. So rife was it that philosopher Plato was forced to write about the perils of irresponsible gambling, suggesting its prevalence in the then-world.

Meanwhile, the Romans, who inherited many Greek traditions, would take gambling to an entirely different level. Rome gambled on chariot races. Gladiator games were common.

History records that emperors of the line Augustus and Nero placed large bets. Also, the Roman law has provisions for a legal day of gambling.

Through the Middle Ages

The Middle Ages began with widespread religious condemnation of gambling. Consequently, many European societies enacted laws that prohibited gambling at restricted times, especially during religious observances. However, long before we had a casino in online spaces, gambling in the Middle Ages still had a strong pull on players.

The 19th Century Renaissance: How Modern Betting Evolved

Europe’s first gambling house or “walk-in casino” was established in Italy during the Renaissance period, called ‘Il Ridotto.’ During the Venice Carnival season, it provided an organized gambling framework that was primarily accessible to the upper class, lending an ambiance of glamour and exclusivity to gambling houses.

In the late 17th and 18th centuries, horse racing and associated betting became prominent in England. King James I founded the Newmarket Town Plate, while Queen Anne famously supported racecourses. As a result, horse racing betting would become rife.

By the 19th Century, horse racing and gambling were deeply ingrained in English tradition. For instance, thanks to the 1845 Gaming Act, horse race betting became legalized in the country, offering a legal framework for a burgeoning industry.

Betting in the 20th Century

The early 20th Century saw betting become more institutionalized within government quarters. According to the Betting and Lotteries Act of 1934, for instance, on-course betting became legal in the UK. This catalyzed the horse racing and gambling industry’s growth, shifting gambling from being an illicit action to a legal activity.

During the latter half of the 20th Century, lotteries became rife, after surviving scandals, and would later transform themselves into a multi-million dollar industry. Similarly, the final decade would see the dawn of the internet age, which has transformed many industries, including the online casino world.

Gambling became democratized in the late 1990s as gamers found a convenient, home-based platform for bettors to play online casino games amidst enhanced global-scale betting.

The 21st Century: Digital Betting, AI-Assisted Gambling, and More

The 21st Century welcomed a new era of digital betting. As internet gambling took center stage, the industry began to experience a tremendously different face.

In the 2000s, we saw the rise of online betting platforms that radically transformed the way we gamble. The average online casino list featured platforms that support peer-to-peer exchanges, for bettors to set their own records and compete directly with one another.

Online casinos became even more rife, offering a range of casino games like poker, roulette, blackjack, and slots. They also became accessible globally all day long. Meanwhile, sports betting took its major place among sports fans, especially in famous sports like football, basketball, tennis, and golf. Thanks to live betting technology, players can place real-time wagers during sporting events.

Similarly, mobile iGaming became popularized with the rapid penetration of smartphones and mobile technology during the mid-2010s. It allowed users to easily place bets from their gadgets, anywhere or anytime. In the late 2010s and 2020s, blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies introduced a new dimension to online betting.

Furthermore, decentralized Blockchain platforms for betting emerged, providing improved security and transparency. Cryptos became famous for being a swift and anonymous payment option. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) also grew into the industry, as operators sought to provide users with a more sophisticated, personalized, and secure gaming experience.

Meanwhile, the rise of online gambling platforms has also necessitated new gambling rules. In Europe, countries like the United Kingdom and Malta led the way by creating comprehensive regulatory frameworks for the online gambling space.

Conclusion

The gambling industry in Europe is shaped by societal, technological, and legislative changes over the ages. The game has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.

Going forward, live-stream betting, virtual/augmented reality, and gamification look to be the face of the next generation of online casinos. But, as the industry has always confirmed, its potential for future transformation remains almost unimaginable