The modern online gaming sector is a multibillion-dollar sector that is continuously growing as new operators, new technology and newly liberalised gaming markets enable the industry to spread around the world. Right now, there are millions of online casino gaming fans playing their favourite casino titles from home or on the move, enjoying everything from live roulette to retro-style slots.
This huge global industry had relatively humble origins. Back in the 1990s, at the dawn of the internet age, online casino gaming was just a theory until a company called Microgaming took the first step. That company has since become one of the giants of online casino gaming, and there are now thousands of Microgaming casinos around the world. In fact, as top comparison site Casinotopsonline.com states, it is impossible to understand the evolution of the modern gaming sector without being aware of the Microgaming story.
The early years
Microgaming is the undisputed originator of the modern casino gaming sector. In fact, they launched their first online casino software in 1994. At that time, most people were without home internet connections and even the days of receiving configuration disks in the mail were yet to come, but Microgaming was already pioneering both the online casino and the online casino game.
As the sector began to develop and more companies started to create sites and games, Microgaming increasingly focused on game development and moved to licensing its games to other sites, a model that has proven to be incredibly successful.
As casino operators have faced increasingly tough competition, resulting in the need to offer ever higher promotional bonuses, Microgaming has continued to lead the way in providing a full range of online casino games, enabling the creation of hundreds of gaming sites powered by their titles.
Progressive pioneers
Microgaming achieved another first in 1998. The company introduced Cash Splash, a new game that has since disappeared into obscurity. At the time, it had major significance for the gaming sector, as what was integrated within the game mechanics would create an entirely new online casino gaming genre.
Cash Splash has the distinction of being the first game that featured a progressive jackpot. This new gaming model combined a portion of each spin into a pooled jackpot. With no upper limit, these jackpots could swell to enormous proportions. It became an instant hit with players and casino operators, and Microgaming went on to develop giants of the genre, including Mega Moolah and Major Millions.
Industry regulation
As one of the first software companies in a new sector, Microgaming soon saw the necessity for some kind of governing organization to monitor the industry and ensure that it was operating ethically.
In the late 1990s, the world was in the early days of online payments, before they became as popular as they are now. When combined with the existing murky reputation of the casino sector in general, it created a poor impression for potential customers. Microgaming joined forces with several other industry companies to form the Interactive Gaming Council. This arrangement would aid in the regulation of the online casino sector and the fairness of the games.
The IGC began monitoring operators in order to filter out the bad operators attempting to enter the market. Microgaming later become a founder of the e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), which is widely regarded as the top organization in the online gaming industry for ensuring fairness, best practices and legitimate business transactions.
Industry elder
In 2023, Microgaming is regarded as one of the titans of the online casino sector. Its influence has extended to every part of the industry and includes a game portfolio of more than 800 casino titles, ranging from the biggest progressive jackpots to the latest in high-definition licensed slots.
The games that Microgaming produces are available in an impressive 45 languages and over 25 currencies and it is a rare online casino that does not have at least one Microgaming title. Their games are also fully compatible with all mobile operating systems, so Microgaming has been a key part of the mobile casino gaming revolution.
Based on the Isle of Man, Microgaming is considered a gaming industry elder, and one of the most influential companies ever to operate in the online casino space. Its list of awards totals more than 60. Although it has come a long way since the early days, it will most likely continue to play a role in shaping the online casino industry of the future.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
