Casinos have been a popular entertainment choice for hundreds of years since the first one opened in Venice in 1638. Over the last hundred years, casinos have become a more mainstream choice, attracting a wide range of gamers as well as those who like to watch others play.
When the virtual world began to emerge, casino games were among some of the first to be digitised as companies wrote code that could simulate games of chance accurately. All the major games were represented as people played video versions of a variety of games, including:
- Poker
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Craps
- Slots
- Roulette
These games soon became popular and many casinos included digital games alongside their traditional counterparts to give players a choice and broaden their offering. As the internet proliferated and the technology that supported the games became more and more advanced, online gaming took off and the online casino market became a hugely popular gaming sector.
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Technology and casinos
The gaming industry has always been at the forefront of technology, with games embracing new innovations as soon as they come to market. By staying at the cutting edge, video games have been able to showcase their own originality, offering players a chance to play hundreds of versions of their favourite games.
With improvements in graphics and the speed at which content could be delivered, even the simplest games had to stay current to compete, so high-end graphics and user-friendly interfaces became the industry standard for casino games. Games designers were often ahead of their time, coming up with creative approaches to some of the most popular games that would not actually be possible until the technology to deliver them caught up.
This was the case with live online casino games, which were first conceived in the 1990s, but it wasn’t until streaming technology became more widely available that they offered the immersive experience that players wanted. As soon as gamers could dial in to a real casino game from wherever they were in the world, live casino games became a firm favourite among those who wanted to combine the excitement of a live game with the convenience of gaming from home.
The increasing popularity of live gaming was made even more accessible by the huge uptake in the use of mobile devices. Developers designed apps to be played on the go, simplifying the controls and making it even easier for players to enjoy the live casino experience from wherever they happen to be.
Getting started with live casino gaming
With so many players opting for casino games, there’s plenty of choice available for a new player that wants to take their first foray into the world of live casino gaming. If you want to experience the fun of online casino gaming, then the first thing to do is find a legitimate casino site to play on.
Online casinos have to be licensed by an official gaming authority that ensures that all gaming sites adhere to a strict code of conduct and guarantee fairness and excellent customer service for their players. There are plenty of established sites, such as Rainbow Riches, that offer players the chance to enjoy a variety of games with the security of knowing that they are fully protected. Other examples include 22bet casino.
It’s also important to check that your chosen site will allow you to deposit and withdraw cash using your preferred payment method. Although most sites accept all major credit and debit cards, some players prefer to use web-based finance services to cryptocurrencies to manage their casino game payments, so make sure your first choice is supported by your chosen site.
Seek out promotions
One of the things that appeals most to online casino gamers is the variety of promotions and bonuses available in the online realm. Many providers offer a choice of discounts, including:
- Welcome /Sign-up bonus
- First deposit bonus
- Loyalty bonus
- Free spins
- Referral bonus
- Cashback bonus
- Weekly/monthly bonus
Players can check the terms and conditions to ascertain their eligibility for the various offers available, check which can be applied and whether they can be combined to create even more enticing discounts. New players can take advantage of bonuses that allow them to effectively play for free as a way to find their feet in the world of online casino gaming.
Choosing your game
Experienced casino goers will usually have a favourite game, but if you’re new to the world of playing online, then it may take you a while to settle on one. There are games that rely purely on chance (and statistics) as well as games that require a degree of skill and experience, such as poker.
Whatever type of game you prefer, you can enjoy playing live online where the action is as close to a bricks-and-mortar casino as it is possible to get. With real dealers and croupiers offering an authentic playing experience, players can interact with the game in the same way that they would if they were there in person.
Live casinos have a universal appeal – from casino veterans that want to make the most of modern technology to recreate their favourite aspects of gaming in person, to complete newcomers that want to try their hand at casino games in a low-pressure way.