History of the TLD

 .casino is a generic top-level domain created under ICANN’s New gTLD Program and officially delegated to the Domain Name System on 19 February 2015. The application was awarded to Donuts (operating as Binky Moon, LLC). The TLD entered general availability following an Early Access Program period in 2015.

Main Use and Industry Position

 The .casino extension is specifically designed for businesses, services, and information related to casinos, gambling, and gaming entertainment. It provides clear industry-specific branding that signals casino-related content to users.

Comparison to Other TLDs

 Compared to generic extensions such as .com or .net, .casino is industry-targeted and communicates a specific sector focus. It is positioned alongside related themed TLDs such as .bet or .poker but is uniquely dedicated to the broader casino domain.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong industry relevance and branding
  

• Open registration with no special restrictions
  

• DNSSEC support available
  

Cons

• Less universal recognition than mainstream extensions like .com
  

• Registrants may face content expectations tied to gambling
  

• Higher pricing at some registrars compared to generic TLDs
  
  

Registration Criteria

Open to any individual or organization on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard domain syntax rules apply, including letters, numbers, hyphens, and IDNs within technical limits of length.

Summary

 .casino is a purpose-driven gTLD for entities in the casino and gaming industry. It combines clear sector identity with broad accessibility. Registrants gain targeted branding but may encounter higher costs and user expectation considerations compared to generic extensions.