🕰️ Early Beginnings (1990s)

• Launch of Online Casinos (1994)
  

  Event	Details
  Establishment of Microgaming	Introduced the first online casino software, paving the way for online pokies.
  First Real Money Game	The launch of online casinos allowed players to gamble real money via the internet.

• Regulation and Licensing (1998)
  

  Event	Details
  First Licensing Authority	Antigua and Barbuda became the first to issue licenses to online casinos.

⚖️ Regulation and Growth (2000s)

• Australian Government’s Interactive Gambling Act (2001)
  

  Event	Details
  Australian Legislation	Prohibited online gambling services but allowed Australian players to gamble on overseas sites.

• Rise of Mobile Gaming (2008)
  

  Event	Details
  Smartphone Revolution	The introduction of smartphones led to the development of mobile online pokies.

📈 Mainstream Acceptance (2010s)

• Expansion of Online Pokies (2012)
  

  Event	Details
  Popularization of Pokies Online	Major casinos started offering a variety of pokies games, attracting more players.

• Virtual Reality in Gaming (2016)
  

  Event	Details
  Introduction of VR Casinos	Innovations in technology provided immersive experiences for online pokies players.

🌐 The Future of Online Pokies (2020s and Beyond)

• Cryptocurrency Integration (2020)
  

  Event	Details
  Use of Bitcoin in Casinos	Many online pokies began accepting cryptocurrencies, enhancing privacy and security.

• Increase in Regulations (2023)
  

  Event	Details
  New Licensing Requirements	Stricter regulations for online gambling to protect Australian players.