Live dealer platform development time

In 1994 the Caribbean nation of Antigua Barbuda passes the The Free Trade and Processing Zone Act, 1994 and the Directorate of Offshore Gaming is formed within the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) with specific mandate of enforcing the licensing and regulatory framework set out in the Act.  Antigua Barbuda becomes the first jurisdiction to issue online gambling licenses to gaming and wagering companies in 1994.

Casino software giant Microgaming is formed on the back of the development of what is claimed to be the first online casino software platform.  Microgaming will go on to become one of the largest casino software developers, by any measure, with a game suite in 2009 of 400 random number generator games, mobile casino games, poker, bingo, and live dealer casino games.

The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is founded out of the North American Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, providing a licensing and regulatory regime for operators hosted within its territory.  Kahnawake goes on to become a prodigious licenser of online gambling operators including a number of live dealer licensees.

Soon afterward the Interactive Gaming Council is founded by a group of online gambling operators, including Microgaming, to provide the industry with a unified voice, political lobbying clout and fair gaming code of conduct for members to adhere to.

Playtech is founded by a group of software engineers and multi-media industry entrepreneurs lead by majority owner Teddy Sagi.  Playtech will go on to become an industry leader with dozens of large name licensee casinos including Bet 365, Befred and William Hill, a 2006 London Stock Exchange listing and a reputation for leading the industry with product development and innovation. 

Their product suite as at 2009 includes 150 RNG games, mobile casino games, bingo, one of the industries most comprehensive live dealer platforms and a poker network (iPoker network) claimed to be the largest in the world pre-UIGEA with up to 30,000 concurrent players at peak times.

The Alderney Gambling Control Commission is formed as the regulatory authority enforcing the operative provisions of Alderney's recently enacted online gambling legislation...The Gambling (Alderney) Law, 1999.  It goes on to become a significant online gambling licensing jurisdiction with licensees including Gala Ltd, Blue Square Ltd, Full Tilt Poker and more recently Evolution Core Holdings Ltd, owners of the Evolution Gaming live dealer platform.

eCOGRA is founded as a not for profit organization providing a best practice operating framework for the online casino gambling industry.

Playtech launches its live dealer platform.

Specialist live platform developer CWC Gaming launch CasinoWebCam, taking a live feed from CWC's dealer studio based in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Malta enacts its Remote Gaming Regulations (2004) allowing the Lotteries and Gaming Authority to offer licenses to online gambling operators based in Malta, in so doing becoming the first EU Member State to provide an online gambling specific licensing and regulatory regime.

Playtech signs a master license agreement with i2corp.com (ITOO), for use of their patented live gaming technology and sublicense the technology to existing Playtech software licensees. By the end of 2004, 18 Playtech casinos are offering live dealer casino games.

As the live dealer games start to gain traction and positive player reaction, a number of other specialist live dealer platform providers emerge, including Vuetec Ltd and Macau based Entertasia.

The Gambling Act (UK) 2005 is enacted in the United Kingdom, paving the way for licensed UK based online casino operators who may advertise within Britain via mainstream media.  The UK Gambling Commission is formed to oversee compliance to the Act's operative provisions.

The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority is formed pursuant to the Gambling Act (Gibraltar) 2005 and another jurisdiction opens its doors to operators wishing to apply for licenses.

The Remote Gambling Association is formed following a merger between the Association of Remote Gambling Operators and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association.

Live roulette is born in the UK, with Vegas 24/7 Broadcasting Ltd (later acquired by NetPlayTV Plc) offering a live roulette game on a dedicated Sky Digital channel for UK subscribers.

Microgaming begin their foray into live dealer gaming launching live baccarat.

Evolution Gaming is founded as a specialist live dealer platform provider with a dealer studio in Riga, Latvia.  In the three years to 2009, Evolution goes on to sign some of the biggest names in online gambling to their platform, including Victor Chandler, Unibet, 888.com, Bet-at-Home.com, Expekt.com, Gala Coral, PartyGaming, BlueSquare and Sportingbet.

The Bush Administration passes the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act making it illegal for US financial institutions to facilitate transactions between US residents and online gambling operators not licensed in the US.

Dublinbet launches, claiming to be the first online casino streaming games from a real 'bricks and mortar' casino...the Fitzwilliam Card Club and Casino in Dublin, Ireland using Vuetec's Java based streaming and bet interface platform.

UK betting institution Ladbrokes signs a licensing deal with CWC Gaming for use of its live dealer platform.

Smart TV Broadcasting limited and AIM listed NetPlayTV Plc, owners/operators of Smart Live Casino and Supercasino.com respectively are issued remote gambling licenses by the UK Gambling Commission.  Both casinos begin offering their live roulette and blackjack games over dedicated Sky and Freesat channels in addition to casts on their website under the new licensing and regulatory regime.

BetFred and Bet365 add live dealer casino games from Playtech's Asian dealer studio.

Blue Square launch their live casino powered by Evolution Gaming.

NetPlayTV Plc launch their internet casino Supercasino.com, leveraging their live existing live 'for TV' roulette product and adding live blackjack to their product offering.  As well as internet, distribution channels expand to include Freeview.

Unibet launch their live casino powered by Evolution Gaming.

William Hill Online is formed as the joint venture vehicle of Playtech (29%) and William Hill Plc (71%) and launches the William Hill Casino Club which includes live dealer games (from the Playtech naturally).

Victor Chandler launch their live casino powered by Evolution Gaming.

Entertasia signs a master license agreement with RNG game developer Cryptologic, for the supply of their live dealer platform to Cryptologic licensee casinos.

Playtech opens its European based live dealer studio, located in Riga, Latvia - the same city where Evolution Gaming's dealer studio is located.

In May, UK television regulators Ofcom reclassify the definition of 'teleshopping' to include gambling, opening the door for casino game operators to purchase time on free-to-air channels.  In September Supercasino.com starts broadcasting its live roulette games on Channel Five.

Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Party Casino, 888.com add Evolution Gaming's live casino platform.

Evolution Gaming expand the size of their Latvian dealer studio by 400% to accommodate more tables and dealers.

Unibet is named inaugural winner of the Live Gaming Operator of the Year award at the EGR awards.

Sportingbet become the latest addition to Evolution Gaming's licensee list.

Evolution Gaming are named EGRB2B Live Casino Supplier of the Year

Microgaming completes a major live games platform upgrade and adds live blackjack

Entertasia (now EntwineTech) partner with CTXM to focus on developing games for Western markets

Chartwell Technology Inc. partners with HoGaming to develop a Euro-centric live dealer product. Chartwell/HoGaming live dealers are added by Victor Chandler early 2011

Betfair add Playtech's European dealer studio games.

Evolution Gaming are named EGRB2B Live Casino Supplier of the Year for the 2nd year running