In the last couple of years, we’ve seen live casino games grow more and more popular. It’s as close to a real land-based casino experience that we can get online. You can find human dealers at the blackjack tables, real croupiers spinning the ball at the roulette wheel and game presenters in different games. It’s made possible through streaming from a game studio, where you see everything happening live through your screen. A few of the reasons why Live Casino has become so popular is their trustworthiness, transparency, high-quality streams, and authenticity. Popular games that have launched in recent years include Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and Lightning Roulette.
Evolution Gaming is at the forefront in producing live casino experiences that are innovative and they are not stopping. Recently they launched Speed Blackjack, a quicker version of Live Blackjack. It’s in many ways like Live Blackjack, with the difference being whoever makes a decision first, whether it’s double, hit, or split will be dealt with first. This means that the seating order makes no difference. It’s estimated to be 30-40% faster than Live Blackjack and has no impact on the maths but rather just a lower waiting time for players.
Another company that wants to take it one step further is Authentic Gaming, who actually stream live directly from land-based casinos rather than just a game studio. This brings true authentic gaming experience to players worldwide. They make this happen by renting an actual table, at a real land-based casino, where real players actually play. The Livestream from the table and you as an online gambler can take part in it through any of their online-based partners, such as LeoVegas. For example, they made a deal to stream live casino games at Foxwoods Resort Casino, which was their first cross-Atlantic stream.
Freddi Nilsson, from the online casino comparison site Casinodealen.se, gives his take on the Live Casino trend.
– Last year we talked about the trend of “Game Show Live Casino,” and I think it’s here to stay. The games are not only traditional blackjack and roulette anymore. It’s more or less like a game show on TV where you as a player can interact and make decisions through the in-game interface, says Freddi
One example of a game show live casino is Deal or No Deal that many of us are familiar with. Live casinos take that idea and develop it into a live dealer game. It features a host in a sequin dress or tuxedo that leads the contestants in a manner almost identical to the popular TV show.
– If you are a live casino game provider, your competition stretches beyond the live casino sphere. You are now fighting for leisure time people spend on watching TV-series, playing video games or watching YouTube videos. The entertainment value in your product has got to be on par with Netflix and video games, as well as providing an outstanding gaming experience.
Last year at London ICE, Evolution Gaming announced they were going to release nine new titles in 2019, a majority being game show lives casino games. Whether we see a similar announcement at this year’s ICE remains to be seen. But the trend is alive and well in 2020 – of that, there is no doubt.
