Online casino is a derivation of the land-based traditional casino, generally known as virtual casinos or gambling sites and providing diverse games or perhaps a single one according to the web page operation, franchise, etc. The on-line casino offers generally better odds than land-based casinos for games such as slot machines where the prospects of winning are regulated through the house, the so-called house advantage.

On August 18, 1995 the world's first online casino debuted, Internet Casinos, Inc. (ICI) operating with 18 different casino games and then for the very first time offering also online access to the nation's Indian trusted lottery dealer. Conversely, since the early days ICI operates out of the Turks and Caicos Islands, outside the states in order to avoid government prosecution.