Casinos have always had large following across the world. The chances of winning the jackpot or beating the house has thrilled players over the years, but now its popularity has really taken off due to online sites.
The flexibility to play from home or commuting to work has opened up online casinos to a new audience to enjoy their favourite game.
Here are five interesting facts about the industry which you may not know:
1. Where it all started
Whilst it is difficult to establish exactly when it all started, it’s likely that humans have been gambling since the first civilisations. However historians are almost certain that some sort of gambling goes all the way back to the Ancient Greeks and Romans. The first established European gambling house was the Ridotto in Venice, Italy, in 1638 which was later closed in 1774. The modern form of gambling we associate with Las Vegas in America was first legalised in 1931 throughout the state of Nevada.
This has remained largely unchanged until casinos headed online when a software company in the Isle Of Man created the first fully functioning online casino in 1994. Since moving online, the industry has seen its popularity rise with the wide selection of sites such as CasinoHEX UK offering expert reviews on casino brands and games ranging from Blackjack, Slots and even scratchcards.
2. The Devils game
Interestingly the total of all of the numbers on a Roulette wheel add up to 666, which is recognised as the ‘sign of the beast’ from the book of revelations in the Bible.
Whilst this may seem planned by some, in reality it is just a coincidence. Roulette is one of the most popular games you can play and offers some of the best odds on winning as you can bet simply on red or black. A true classic that has made a great transition to online casinos.
3. The biggest UK online win
The record for the biggest online win in the UK is currently £18.2 million in 2015. The jackpot winner was Jon Heywood, a soldier from Cheshire, UK, playing the Mega Moolah slot game.
After claiming his winning he said he would spend the money on the best possible medical care for his father.
4. Which game tops the lot?
Online slot games are undeniably the most popular online games to play. There are many variations of slot games on offer. Many have different themes based around our favourite board games, TV shows, and even movies.
The simplicity of online slots appeal to many of us as a way to relax and enjoy ourselves for a few hours. Games can be played for real money, but many sites offer free to play games just for fun.
5. You can’t count cards with online Blackjack
We have all seen a movie or read a book which has a plot around casinos and counting cards in games such as Blackjack. Some players have thought about learning this strategy to beat the house, but in reality it’s difficult to take the time to learn.
One thing to be aware of with online card games is that they use random card selection in such a way that it is no longer possible to count cards. This isn’t just to protect the Casino from people like ‘Rain Man’ (Dustin Hoffman’s portrait of an autistic card counter from Barry Levinson’s classic 1988 movie), but also from card counting software and bots.
Conclusion
Online casinos have changed the industry forever and opened up gambling to a whole new audience. Whether you’re looking to make some money or just a way to spend your free time having fun, online casinos offer both.