Live casino games through the years

The last few years have changed many areas of our lives; society as we know it is drastically different, mainly due to factors such as rapidly advancing technology and the internet. 

Live Casino defined

Online casinos have become increasingly popular as we move away from in-person casinos, with the most recent development being the live casino, which hosts live dealer games. Hopefully, this article will help you understand more about this popular subsection of online casinos.

Let’s start with what a live casino is and what types of games are typically offered. Live casino games are typically table games played at online casinos. You can interact with the live dealer through a camera and chat in real-time, making it one of the most authentic casino experiences available online. 

Typically, your dealer will be standing by a studio table using oversized cards to ensure that you can see the values while cameras and lighting surround them. The live stream of the set is combined with virtual reality to create the perfect table, whether your game is blackjack or roulette. 

Live casino games

Live dealer games

Live dealer games mainly focus on table games, which means blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker are among the most popular live casino games. However, there are other options available. These will depend on which casino you’re playing at. 

For example, some online casinos have game shows like Cash or Crash or Monopoly Live. Some casinos will offer a live dealer who speaks Japanese for games like roulette or baccarat. 

You’ll need a computer with a camera and microphone to play some of the games. However, there’s another type of live casino game - the mobile game. You can play these games using your mobile device and its inbuilt camera and microphone. Mobile games are becoming more popular with many online players since they take advantage of smartphones’ advancing technology.

Here’s a list of the top live dealer games typically found in live casinos:

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Hold’em poker
• Three Card poker

A few game shows like Monopoly, Mega Ball, Crazy Time and Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt are sometimes thrown in too.

Popular game providers

Now that we have covered some of the offered games, we need to talk about providers. The providers of live dealer games may play a significant part in your decision because a great provider can make or break your experience. 

This is important mainly because state-of-the-art software is an absolute necessity for immersive gameplay. Only the best providers can supply top-notch software, while only world-class live casinos can partner with them. These factors mean that the provider is one of the best indicators that point towards the quality of the game.

So, let’s go over some of the best online casino game providers for live dealer games:

• Evolution Gaming

Established in 2006, this leading software provider offers unique features and Wheel of Fortune games. 

• Ezugi

This provider offers a vast range of live dealer games in real-time and is considered a promising newcomer.

• Playtech

It was established in 1999, providing excellent software and exclusive variations of classic games.

• Pragmatic Play

Established in 2019, this innovative provider offers a high-quality experience with state-of-the-art streaming technology.

• Microgaming

Established in 1994, this leading software supplier offers authenticity and special features.

• Medialive Casino

Specialising in live dealer games, this provider offers top-notch games with a realistic atmosphere.

The history

Live casino through the years

The live casino isn’t a modern invention but has been around since at least 1998. However, the technology wasn’t as advanced as it is now, so there were a few challenges to overcome. Internet speed was slow, and computers had limited processing power, making real-time games almost impossible. 

However, the convenience of these games meant that providers continually updated their software as technology started catching up to their vision for gaming. 

Before smartphones launched in 2006, live casinos were an established, if small, presence online. The mobile revolution then took over society; it extended to online casinos, specifically live casinos. In 2010, Evolution Gaming got one of its first awards for its software and dominance over the market, which continues today.

Then in 2012, most software providers shifted over to HTML5, making computers unnecessary for most games. 

Live casino games through the years

Blackjack is one of the most popular live dealer games today. There is some debate over when blackjack was originally invented. Some speculate it began with the Romans because of their love of gambling. However, most research indicates it started in France in the 1700s. The French card game was called ‘Vingt-et-Un’ which means 21, and was popular in King Louis XV’s court.

Like blackjack, most casino table games can trace their history back hundreds of years to countries like Italy or France. For centuries, they remained in land-based casinos or our homes as we played with a deck of cards, some dice or a wheel. 

Live casino today

We have become spoiled over the years, expecting more from our smartphones and computers as they improve. Live streaming technology has come far from the stuttering buffering mess it used to be. Now, there’s a seamless interface between game, dealer and player in real time.

Players can now see the entire process of the game as it unfolds, from dealing the cards to flipping them over. The authentic studios, live chat and gameplay provide players with human interaction and transparency, which most appreciate. This makes live casinos one of the steadiest climbers in the online casino industry.

The future of live casino

It’s this seamless experience that makes the live casino so successful today. That brings us right back to technology. If your internet connection is spotty or video streaming is delayed, shoddy technology and software can ruin your whole experience. Live dealer games are expensive due to the technology used and the amount spent on installation and upkeep. This means that games will remain somewhat limited for the moment. Even so, as technology expands, so too will live casino games.

How to choose a live casino

Many online casinos offer you live dealer games, which can make choosing one difficult. We recommend that you first ensure that the casino is licensed and legal in your place of residence. 

Next, look at the games on offer, including which game providers and software are in use. As discussed previously, your software provider is essential to an immersive experience, so make sure that you research the provider and read game reviews before you play.

An online casino’s payout percentage is the next factor to consider, as it’s usually a good indicator of your chances of winning. The higher the payout percentage, the better your chances are of making money; read the game rules before playing to ensure your chances are favourable. That is if profit and not entertainment is a priority for you.

All of these look like a lot of research, so let’s start talking about the game itself. The best live casinos have a variety of tables for players, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a high roller, you still need to ensure there’s a table for you. 

Finally, if you’re a fan of mobile casinos, check and see if the live dealer games offered are mobile-friendly and can be played through your smartphone’s browser or on an app. That way, you can enjoy the entertainment whenever you want, even on long commutes.

It’s reassuring that even in the modern world of high-definition cameras and broadband internet, we can still play centuries-old games that have so much history behind them. Live casino games are like the perfect union of tradition and technology, bringing us closer to our ancestors while remaining true to ourselves.