It all seems to have started when a few sharp operators set up shop on some Caribbean islands, Antigua, Barbuda and Grenada among the first, and spread the word that they would take bets on sporting events over the phone. Most of these fellas were Americans, and by establishing a Caribbean base of operation were safe from U.S. laws which prohibit sports betting, except in Nevada or states where off-track betting on horse racing is permitted. Along came the Internet, and the opportunity to expand worldwide became obvious to these overseas bookies. In 1995, two Internet sports books were formed – Sports International and World-Wide Tele-Sports, (WWTS) – becoming the first of the Internet sports book venues. Thus, an industry, the scope of which was unimagined until a few short years ago was born.

Success was quick to follow, and it wasn’t long before other groups, seeing the apparently unlimited potential began their own online gambling ventures. A variety of gambling choices were now becoming available to the cyberspace player, and as technology continued to improve so did the sophistication of the online casinos websites. Online casinos were now beginning to offer their players an at home experience that as closely as possible mimicked the excitement and sophistication of games available at a brick and mortar establishment. Credibility came slowly as larger well-funded organizations with a reputation to build and protect gradually began squeezing out the fringe operators; offering free play for poker novices, the chance to win bigger pots, and the assurance that the casino would pay off.