Online gambling is a pastime that the world has been able to enjoy for close to three decades now, with the first Internet casinos appearing in 1996. Innovations in payment technology developed specifically to facilitate playing games of chance remotely, while territories such as Antigua, Curacao, and the Native Canadian reservation of Kahnawake passed laws to regulate this hobby, ushering in a novel era in gambling.
In the first few years of this sector getting its bearings, software-powered slots and table games were the primary gaming offerings. In 2003, the Isle of Man’s Playtech took a bold step by experimenting with a new form of gambling in which players engage in table games conducted by people on the other side of the world via livestreams. Playtech tested out this then-unique genre with the soft launch of an Asian-centric studio but failed to expand the gaming category globally. This was largely due to the technological limitations of the day. In the first half of the 2000s, broadband speeds were not what they are now, most people used dial-up Internet, and smartphones had yet to hit the market.
At the tail end of that decade, Evolution Gaming, a company founded in Stockholm, made moves that spearheaded the live casino revolution as it began opening streaming studios in Malta and elsewhere and improved how these gaming products are offered to the public. Today, live dealer and presenter options compete with online slots, and many observers believe they are on a path to eclipse them and become the preferred form of Web-based gambling.
An Expanding Library of Games
Live games started off as streaming versions of casino table classics, offering iterations of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and later on, casino-poker variants. However, in 2017, Evolution Gaming decided to switch things up by debuting a Big-Six wheel-inspired product called Dream Catcher. It spurred the rise of what the sphere now calls game show games. These are gaming options streamed from a studio setting in which the gameplay is guided by a presenter instead of a table card dealer. The role of this presenter is similar to that of game show hosts, encouraging participants to follow along and bet.
After the success of Dream Catcher, Evolution released Lightning Roulette, which was standard roulette enhanced with presenter-style interaction and an RNG multiplier element. Then came branded choices like Deal or No Deal Live and Monopoly Live in 2019. The following year, Evolution made major inroads by coming out with Crazy Time, a product with much higher production values than their previous creation that featured multiple bonus rounds. It set the stage for Funky Time and Balloon Race.
Post-2023, a new trend has emerged that sees game providers creating live casino versions of their most popular slots. Examples include Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt by Evolution, who own NetEnt and its Gonzo’s Quest slot, Quickspin’s streaming take on its famous Big Bad Wolf series, and Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza CandyLand found at sites like Royal Panda live casino.
In the years to come, this category is expected to keep evolving as studios attempt to diversify their offerings to appeal to broader and more casual audiences.
The Appeal of Live Casino Games
Without question, one of the main draws of this genre is its social aspect and the sense of authenticity it brings. Unlike reel-spinning titles, which provide a colourful but repetitive and somewhat sterile experience, players of live casino games interact with an actual person and others at their table using a chat function. Moreover, these products address one of the main concerns most gamblers have, which is digital fairness in terms of the outcomes that slots’ random number generators churn out. With live games, they watch humans handle physical cards and tangible wheels. Furthermore, providers must comply with strict regulations that guarantee the legitimacy of their offered games.
These factors, along with the ambient sounds and casino atmosphere created by the studio’s décor, make online gamblers feel more like they are in an actual physical setting. They receive a communal experience similar to the one that brick-and-mortar venues supply, with comparable levels of camaraderie. This is useful for Gen Z members, especially those who might be more introverted in nature and more used to digital interactions for social bonding rather than face-to-face ones. Players also appreciate the way it delivers more seamless, hassle-free gambling. With live casino games, players get the best of both worlds: authentic experiences in digital spaces.
Low Barrier to Entry and Diverse Bonus Rounds
For someone to sit at high-class land-based gaming establishments, such as those in Las Vegas, they must bet amounts per hand that are not insignificant for the average person. Live casino games do not pose such challenges, as table games usually list wide betting ranges that often start at $1. Higher-end providers customarily have an array of options catering to all types of gamblers, from those with deep pockets to those taking a more casual approach.
For example, the aforementioned Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, which is a game show presenter pick, accepts wagers as low as $0.2 and as high as $3,000. It is also a good example of a bonus-rich game, as it has a slot mode with a six-reel and five-row layout where cascading wins can occur, and a Candy Drop mode that leads into a pachinko bonus. Sweet Bonanza CandyLand also includes a Sugar Bomb segment, random multipliers, respins, and Sugar Bomb Booster. Therefore, it supplies varied gambling action. The same holds true for Crazy Time and many other newer entrants in this category, especially the presenter choices. All this is reflective of changing gambler preferences.
These games give players a varied experience that can come at a low price but is comparable to gaming products found at physical locales.