It has been 65 years since the American physicist William Higinbotham created the first electronic game in history, with the release of Tennis for Two, for the computer. Since then, the gaming industry has undergone major transformations and is now a symbol of cutting-edge technology.

With the increase in processing capacity, consoles, computers, smartphones and tablets are increasingly powerful, allowing games to be more complex and realistic. In the midst of this, online casinos have emerged as a new entertainment platform, becoming one of the fastest growing markets in the world.

Currently, the segment has titles of the most diverse types, such as blackjack, roulette, slots and much more, bringing people closer to this enchanting universe of casinos without even leaving home. To reach today, however, this journey was full of challenges and marked by discoveries that guided the entire industry and contemporary society.

Video games have transformed from simple screens into immersive digital environments—and online casinos are no exception. Today’s gaming spaces, both virtual and physical, benefit greatly from thoughtful design. Good lighting enhances focus and enjoyment, whether you’re playing roulette or RPGs. For practical advice on improving your home setup, read about choosing ideal lighting for your game space and elevate your gaming atmosphere to match modern standards.

1950s

The history of electronic games begins in the late 1950s, more precisely in 1958, when William Higinbotham created Tennis for Two in a military laboratory in the United States. The game consisted of two vertical bars (which served as rackets) and a flashing dot (the ball) in the middle of the screen.

1960s and 1970s

It took 11 years after Higinbotham's invention for the German-born American engineer Brown Box to develop the first console prototype, the Magnavox Odyssey, in 1969. The product was launched in 1972 and became known as the first commercial video game of all time. A year earlier, Computer Space had inaugurated the arcade market.

The revolutionary Atari would also emerge in the 1970s, one of the main companies responsible for the popularization of electronic games on a global scale. Its first success was the game Pong, an arcade that simulated table tennis matches, with two-dimensional graphics. Acquired by Warner Communications in 1976, the company launched the Atari 2600 the following year, a console that became a worldwide phenomenon.

1980s

In 1980, the video game industry began to take off, and that year, Japanese designer Toru Iwatani introduced the iconic Pac-Man game to the world, one of the most popular games ever seen. Half a decade later, another classic was born: Super Mario Bros. In an attempt to compete with Nintendo, Sega launched the Mega Drive console in 1988.

1990s

The 1990s were marked as one of the periods of greatest evolution in the video game industry. It was during this period that memorable consoles such as the Super Nintendo (the Mega Drive's main competitor) and PlayStation emerged.

At the same time, Microsoft launched Windows 95 in 1995, the world's most popular computer operating system, while in 1997 the Nokia 6110 became the first cell phone with access to games, with the classic Snake.

The decade also marked the emergence of the first online gaming site, Gamelan, in 1991, with titles of adventure, strategy and other genres. Three years later, InterCasino, the first online casino in history, would appear, offering card and slot machine games, popularizing the segment.

2000s

At the turn of the millennium, a fierce dispute began between Sony and Microsoft with the launch of PlayStation 3 (2005) and Xbox 360 (2006), respectively. Since then, the two companies have shared the spotlight on the video game scene worldwide.

On the internet, the giant online gaming platform PokerStars was born in 2001, arriving in Brazil five years later. Today, it promotes and endorses some of the most important poker events in the world, among other casino games. Meanwhile, in 2007, Apple launched the first iPhone in history.

2010s

The past decade reaffirmed the rivalry between Sony and Microsoft, with the production of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. At the same time, in 2012 the Japanese company introduced the first portable console with a touch screen, the PlayStation Vita, while Nintendo launched the Wii U, a pioneer in the company's use of motion controls, and the Nintendo Switch, a hybrid product that can be used at home or on the go.

With the evolution of cell phones, with more robust processors and infallible batteries, electronic games became part of people's lives anywhere and in any situation. One of the games that marked the period was Candy Crush Saga, a puzzle game released in 2013.

2020s

Finally, the current decade introduced the world to the newest generations of PlayStation and Xbox, with the 5 models from Sony and the Series X and Series S, from Microsoft.

Video game development over six decades has influenced nearly every form of interactive entertainment—including online casinos. A key technical component in these platforms is how randomness is simulated to ensure fair play. This is where random number generators (RNGs) come into play, forming the backbone of online gaming fairness. For an inside look at how these mechanisms work, especially in casino games, check out how online casinos generate random numbers.