Here’s one factoid they don’t teach you in history class: gambling has been around since humanity’s first civilization. We’ve always had an obsession with games of chance, the thrill of winning, the hope of hitting a jackpot, the challenge to master a game.
Now, most of us open up our smartphones and load our favorite casino app using a computer more powerful than the one used by Apollo 11. The games are glitzy, smooth, and we have a selection of hundreds of different variations of table games.
But the beginnings were a little more humble. Here, we’ll take you on a Spaceship Earth-esque journey, from the first tabletop games introduced in Europe to the next steps of evolution we can expect in 2025 and beyond.
The First Casinos
The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans all gambled. There is plenty of archaeological evidence that points to this. But it wasn’t until 1638, when a dedicated establishment was opened in Venice, that the first true casino welcomed its guests (in fact, casino translates to ‘little house’ in Italian).
The popularity of these establishments caused wild growth, first in Europe, then in the United States, and Asia, too. Now, cities like Macau and Las Vegas are instantly associated with large, resort-level casinos that offer every single table game imaginable.
These establishments dominated for hundreds of years, until we got the internet.
Online Casinos Disrupt the Industry
The first online casinos launched in the 1990s, but they didn’t really catch on until 10-15 years ago, depending on the metrics you want to use. The benefits were clear: you didn’t have to leave your house, virtual games gave you plenty of time to build your strategy, and playing is quick and easy through an app or website.
The earliest online casinos only had the elementary versions of the games we know and love, including roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Casinos slowly began to release different versions of each game, some with different rules, others with a distinct theme or a bonus game, or both.
The games offered a very similar experience to what you find at a land-based establishment, but it wasn’t quite the same. Some prefer the virtual options, sure, yet going to a real casino still has something extra. Or does it…?
Introduction of Live Dealer Games
The old-school OGs of the gambling scene always have one retort to the proponents of online casinos: virtual games of chance take the personality out of it, the human connection. No matter how fancy the tech gets, you only get that in ‘real’ casinos.
However, in recent years the tech got real fancy. Without question, the most significant recent development came with the introduction of live dealer games. Instead of playing solo against a computer, you get a near equal (and arguably better!) experience to what you get at a land-based establishment.
There are a couple of reasons why this is something that’s only just taking off. First, the technology itself, the ability to connect thousands of players in real time, and the capacity to deliver dealers to every table.
Second, internet speeds. The tech has been there for a while, but imagine the experience on 3G. Or even 4G. Pixelated, clunky video quality. Connections that are constantly dropping. It’s not a good experience. Now, you can get perfect quality from a basic cell phone, opening the game up to pretty much anyone.
VR: The Next Level for 2025
We’re excited about 2025, and that’s because we can expect to see VR table games hitting online casinos. Finally.
Virtual reality (VR) is something that tech geeks have been talking about for a long time. Yes, there have been prototypes, some even released to the market. Yet the experience wasn’t great. ‘Futuristic’ graphics that look like they still belong to the classic 80s cult hit, Tron. Games that are interesting in premise, but a flop in practice.
Until now. VR is finally taking shape, with the most recent releases looking like usable products. Just look at the Meta Quest 3: the image quality is superb, the refresh rate solid, and a great basis from which to play your favorite games.
This tech will soon be coming to your favorite online casinos. Now that the hardware is there, operators are frantically working on releasing table games that are compatible with VR technology.
Even if VR doesn’t quite tick all the boxes in 2025, its arrival is inevitable, and the progress being made is undeniable. Modern online casinos are transforming how we experience gaming. Imagine stepping into a fully immersive casino environment from the comfort of your home, interacting with games and players in ways once only dreamed of. The next 12 months look to be a turning point, with operators pushing the boundaries of innovation. One thing is certain: the future of online gaming isn’t just about playing — it’s about experiencing, and VR is leading the charge.
