While IGT built video poker for physical casinos, Microgaming built it for the internet. Founded in 1994, Microgaming launched what's widely considered the first online casino — and with it, the first online video poker. Their software decisions shaped how millions of players experience video poker today.
The 1994 Launch
Microgaming's first online casino offered a handful of games, including a basic Jacks or Better implementation. The experience was crude by modern standards — players had to download a software package to their PC, and the graphics were simple 16-color card images.
But the core concept worked: you could play real video poker, with real money, from your home computer. No drive to a casino, no waiting for a machine, no coins.
The biggest early challenge wasn't technology — it was trust. Players were understandably skeptical about sending money to an internet site and trusting that the cards were dealt fairly. Microgaming addressed this by submitting their random number generator (RNG) to independent testing labs, establishing a practice that became standard across the industry.
Technology Generations
Microgaming's video poker evolved through three distinct technology eras:
The Download Era (1994-2005)
Players installed a dedicated application. The software stored graphics and sounds locally while connecting to Microgaming's servers for deal outcomes. Installation packages could be 50MB+ — a significant download on dial-up connections. But once installed, the gameplay was smooth and reliable.
The Flash Era (2005-2015)
Adobe Flash enabled "instant play" — video poker running directly in the browser with no download. Microgaming's "Viper" platform became the industry standard for browser-based casino software. Flash brought better graphics, smoother animations, and the ability to play at any computer without installing anything.
The downside: Flash didn't work on early smartphones, which would become a problem as mobile browsing exploded after 2007.
The HTML5 Era (2015-Present)
When Apple refused to support Flash on the iPhone, the industry had to adapt. Microgaming (and its successor Games Global) rebuilt their video poker titles in HTML5, ensuring the same game runs identically on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
Today, games like Aces and Faces, Deuces Wild, and Double Bonus Poker are available in mobile-optimized HTML5 versions across hundreds of online casinos using Microgaming/Games Global software.
Microgaming's Video Poker Library
Microgaming eventually offered most of the same variants found in physical casinos:
| Game | Available Online | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jacks or Better | Yes | Multiple pay table versions |
| Deuces Wild | Yes | Including Bonus and Power variants |
| Aces and Faces | Yes | Microgaming's most promoted VP title |
| Double Bonus | Yes | Standard and Bonus versions |
| Joker Poker | Yes | Kings or Better and Two Pair variants |
| All American | Yes | Also called "All Aces" in some versions |
They also created proprietary variants not found in land-based casinos, including progressive jackpot versions where the Royal Flush payout grew with a shared pool across multiple sites.
Progressives: Jackpot Deuces and Others
One of Microgaming's unique contributions was large-scale progressive video poker. "Jackpot Deuces" linked Deuces Wild machines across their entire network. The sequential Royal (dealt in order: 10-J-Q-K-A of one suit) triggered a progressive jackpot that could reach six figures.
This was something physical casinos could do within a single property, but Microgaming did it across hundreds of online casinos worldwide. The larger player pool meant faster-growing jackpots, which attracted more players, which grew jackpots faster.
IGT vs. Microgaming
The two companies approached video poker from opposite directions:
| Aspect | IGT (Land-Based) | Microgaming (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | Physical cabinets, proprietary | Any computer or phone |
| Pay tables | Set by casino floor managers | Coded into software |
| Game speed | ~400-600 hands/hour | 800-1,200 hands/hour (no physical coins) |
| Progressive scope | Property-wide | Network-wide (global) |
| Trust model | Regulated by state gaming boards | Third-party RNG testing (eCOGRA) |
For players, the practical difference was speed and accessibility. Online video poker on Microgaming's platform played roughly twice as fast as a physical machine, and you could access it from anywhere.
The Games Global Transition
In 2022, Microgaming sold its game distribution business to a new entity called Games Global. The video poker titles, progressive networks, and technology platform continued under the new brand. For players, little changed — the same games, same math, same experience under a new corporate name.
Impact on Video Poker
Microgaming's most lasting contribution was proving that video poker works online. The game's appeal — transparent math, player skill, and known returns — translated perfectly to digital. A player in London could sit down at a 9/6 Jacks or Better machine and know they were getting the same 99.54% return as a player in Las Vegas, with the same strategy and the same odds.
That accessibility expanded video poker's player base far beyond the casino cities where physical machines existed.