After industry pioneer Microgaming created the first online casino game in 1994, it was clear that land-based casinos would change forever. Still, if the success of live casinos online has taught us anything, it’s that players haven’t abandoned their desire for an authentic casino experience.
The Growth Drivers of Live Casino
In truth, no single factor can adequately explain the growth in appetite for live casino content. Instead, it combines features from the best parts of brick-and-mortar casino games with the best qualities of online casino games. We’ll take you through six of them next.
- Convenience
Experiencing the real deal at a land-based casino is neither convenient nor practical for most players in the United Kingdom. Getting suitably dressed and visiting a casino requires time, hassle and added cost. This effort makes little sense to someone who wants to enjoy a few rounds of their favourite classic card, wheel or dice games.
Players can enjoy live dealer games from the comfort of their homes or favourite haunts, like coffee shops. Also, they can join or leave a 24/7 live game whenever they choose.
- The Rise of Smartphones and Tablets
According to UKGC 2021 gambling landscape statistics, approximately 60% of British players use mobile devices to gamble. Therefore, it’s no surprise that software developers and live casinos want to deliver the best player experience possible.
The introduction of new technologies like HTML5 a few years ago standardised industry best practices. It eliminated the disadvantages of plug-ins like Adobe Flash or Java, security holes and poor performance. Today’s mobiles and tablets are more powerful than ever, offering unparalleled speed, graphics and audio. This enables smooth gameplay, rich sound quality and visuals.
Although instant play online casino browsers are more common, some operators offer iOS/Android apps for iPads, iPhones, Android tablets and smartphones. Live casino apps can enhance a player’s experience in several ways:
- By providing a more stable platform
- Quicker launch times with the press of a button
- Faster information retrieval from internal storage rather than a web server
- Stores user preferences straight to a device
- Advances in Live Streaming Technology
The first live casino games appeared in the late 1990s, but it wasn’t until the 2000s that they caught on with players. Live casino games stream in high-definition using state-of-the-art technology, like 4K cameras, from professional provider studios. Some use augmented reality that feels like you’re practically inside the game, resulting in a more immersive live casino experience.
- Social Engagement
The transition from land-based to online casinos transformed table games into solitary experiences. While this appealed to some players, others missed the social aspect of land-based table games.
In a sense, live casino reversed time by reintroducing actual dealers, breathing new life into the virtual gameplay. Some dealers, in particular, have witty personalities, making the rounds more entertaining by engaging in small talk with players. This advance was a massive departure from prerecorded virtual roulette commentary, which could feel bland.
Simultaneously, live games introduced a group chat ability, allowing players to ask the dealer questions and banter with them or fellow players between rounds.
- Growth in Live Studio Providers
As live casino proved its staying power, other providers got in on the act. Since the first live casino game, the selection has grown to hundreds, fuelled partly by the explosion of live studio providers.
This competition has driven innovation, leading to more engaging games trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded space. Of course, players are the resounding beneficiaries.
The following table presents some leading live studio providers available at the top online casinos that aren’t on GamStop.
- SA Gaming
- Evolution Gaming
- Superlotto
- Vivo Gaming
- LuckyStreak
- LiW
- Live168
- Betgames
- TvBet
- Atmosfera
- Fazi
- Pragmatic Play live
- 7Mojos
- Playtech live
- Ezugi
Growth in Live Casino Classic Games
The first live casino games comprised blackjack, roulette, baccarat, casino poker, and craps table classics. Others like keno and bingo later followed. It wasn’t long before studios began adding variants of these games with more exciting features. This could include special functions, side bet options, over-the-top studios, dealer costumes, VIP table limits, etc.
Over time, the universe of live casino games expanded to include content not previously found at land-based casinos.
Live game shows, inspired by famous board games, classic slots, TV game shows, etc., are over-the-top live dealer games. These comprised vivid sets and costumes while delivering exceptional gameplay with bonuses and multipliers.
Our table below gives a glimpse into what’s available at the best non-GamStop live casinos.
Game Name : Lightning Roulette, Lightning Blackjack, Lightning Baccarat
Provider: Evolution Gaming
Description: Classic table games blended with higher payout RNG multipliers
Offered by: MrBigWins Casino
Game Name :Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, Extra Chilli Epic Spins
Provider: Evolution Gaming
Description: Immersive live dealer game shows based on popular board games, television and video slots. Some use augmented reality, seemingly pushing the boundaries between what’s real and what’s imagined
Offered by: MrBigWins Casino
Game Name : Live American Auto Roulette, Live Auto Roulette (European)
Provider: Live168
Description:American and European auto roulette games eliminate the need for real-life dealers, making them faster and less error-prone
Offered by: NonStop Casino
Game Name : Galaxy Blackjack, Galaxy Roulette
Provider: 7Mojos
Description: Live casino games with stunning costumes and studio sets based on a space-age galaxy theme
Offered by: The Red Lion Casino
Game Name : Vivo Aladdin Roulette, Vivo Aladdin Baccarat
Provider: Vivo Gaming
Description:Part of the “Sexy Hall” series of live casino games featuring lovely female dealers in bikinis
Offered by: Players Club VIP Casino
Game Name : 5/20, Lotto 40/80, Lotto 30/80
Provider: LiW
Description: Variations of the classic lottery
Offered by: Luck of Spins Casino
Game Name : Cocktail Roulette
Provider: Atmosfera
Description: A recently released European roulette variant with a win multiplier bonus game
Offered by: Slots Dreamer Casino
Game Name : Music Wheel
Provider: Atmosfera
Description: Popular live game show comprising an exciting wheel multiplier
Offered by: Slots Dreamer Casino
Game Name :6+ Poker
Provider: Betgames
Description:Texas Hold’em poker variant, which removes cards 2-5 from the deck
Offered by: Black Magic Casino
Closing Thoughts
It’s hard to pinpoint a single explanation for why live casino games are so popular. However, It’s fair to say that technological advances have made the impossible possible. Live casino games have pushed the limits of imagination while capturing the essence of what a brick-and-mortar casino is all about. We can’t wait to see what the future brings.