You feel the soft felt of the table beneath your fingertips. You hear the ceramic click of poker chips as the pass through the dealer’s hands. Off in the distance, a roulette wheel spins away while players eagerly await the outcome. These are some of the sensations that have come to define real-world casino action, and it is no wonder why this industry enjoys so many followers.
However, what if the nearest casino happens to be located 100 miles away? Will you be forced to lower yourself to a few hands of generic blackjack? Not anymore. The rise of live dealer platforms has taken the online gaming community by storm, and it is now possible to get in on the action with a single click from the comfort of your own home.
It is currently estimated that the worth of the live dealer market has topped $7.8 billion, and this is likely an understatement. Virtually every online platform offers these engaging games, and we have only begun to witness what the future has in store for the entire iGaming ecosystem. Indeed, live casinos rank as one of the most popular streaming services as a whole.
What factors have driven this rate of growth? How does technology play a role? Why is it just as important to take player preferences into account? There are many ways in which we can answer these questions. However, it is also a good idea to take a step back for a moment, and to briefly examine the history of live dealer games.
Older Than You Think
The live dealer industry is directly linked to online casinos. Most experts would argue that the first virtual casino was launched in 1994. InterCasino was revolutionary for its time, as no fewer than 18 games were offered. These included blackjack, poker, roulette, and slots. The only issue is that dial-up Internet extremely limited the amount of bandwidth users could access. Slow loading times, buffering issues, and relatively slow computing power were other metrics that hampered the types of games that players could enjoy. We would have to wait until the large-scale introduction of broadband Internet in 2003 before things could be scaled up.
This was also the year that the first iteration of live dealer games were introduced. This genre immediately appealed to players due to the ability to interact with others in a real-time environment. However, streaming speeds were still quite slow. High-definition video feeds would sometimes cause the games to freeze, or the entire site to crash. The majority of these concerns were alleviated thanks to the rise of wireless Internet beginning in the late 2000s.
We now live in an era defined by lightning-fast streaming speeds thanks to 5G wireless technology. It is possible to access our favourite live dealer games while out and about with the help of smartphone connectivity. The realism of the games has also come to the point that many users would actually prefer to stay home as opposed to spend the time driving to the local casino. In other words, we are living in a brave new world.
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
Although it is impossible to deny the impact that cutting-edge technology has had on this industry, we must take the time to recognise the contributions from the casinos themselves before delving into what occurs behind the scenes. Casino developers have focused their efforts on creating seamless end-user experiences, and variety has become the spice of life. Even with the most advanced technologies, the games would fall on deaf ears if they failed to resonate with the target audience. The ever-expanding collection of live dealer titles found at Stake.com is an example of how innovation leads to long-term results.
While this casino is already known for its crypto-friendly design, a range of professional sponsors, and a kaleidoscope of promotions, their DevOps team also understands that some players are no longer satisfied with traditional video poker, or a round of slots. Interacting with live dealers who may be located thousands of miles away represents another means to offer users even more variety, and it undoubtedly helps to strengthen brand recognition.
Furthermore, live versions of casino classics are not created by accident. A great deal of market research must take place in advance. Which genres seem to be the most popular at the moment? How long will the average player remain engaged? Will different themes be required to cater to different cultural norms? How many languages should be made available? What qualities serve to define a professional dealer? These are some of the factors that must be addressed during the early stages of development. After all, launching a live dealer game is associated with a significant financial investment.
What are Some of the Most Popular Software Developers?
Not all live casino games have been created equally. Some are immediate hits that soon take on viral overtones. Others may miss the mark, and eventually descend into the realm of digital anonymity. This is why the top developers only release games that have been vetted to the highest of standards. Consider the following list of quality software developers:
- Ezugi
- Evolution
- Pragmatic Play
- Playtech
- LuckyStreak
- TVBET
These brands have developed a name for themselves, and casinos that choose to enter into a partnership can expect to enhance their own online identity; essentially offering the best of both worlds.
However, it is one thing to perform copious amounts of market research, and to envision a concept for an upcoming live dealer game. It is an entirely different matter to manage the work that occurs behind closed doors. Back-end technology plays a pivotal role, and this is when the sheer genius of coding specialists rises to the surface. Let’s now move on to discuss some of the latest trends, and how these are continuing to transform the player experience.
Mobile-Friendly Platforms
Experts note that more than 70% of all inbound traffic to live dealer games is in the form of a smartphone account. This is the reason why developers have begun to adopt a mobile-first strategy when developing the latest games. It is important that the software is compatible with common operating systems such as Android, and iOS. Furthermore, a streamlined smartphone experience will lead to higher engagement rates. Customers remain playing for longer periods of time, and the end result is increased revenue generation.
Multilingual Support
The live casino industry is no longer defined by traditional geographic borders. Thanks in no small part to the use of virtual private networks (this topic will be addressed in the next section), it is increasingly common for players to access their favourite brands from abroad. This is also the reason why dealers must be proficient in specific languages. Developers likewise need to be certain that the user interface (UI) contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Although some systems have started to employ automatic translation services in the form of subtitles, dealers who can proactively communicate with players offer an organic appeal that cannot be rivalled.
The Prevalence of Virtual Private Networks
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have existed since the halcyon days of the Internet. These systems are used to ensure higher levels of anonymity, and to access casinos that might be blocked in certain regions of the world. So, it only stands to reason that a player who wishes to enjoy the latest live dealer games could use a VPN. Depending on the provider, some live dealer software platforms are now equipped to accept VPN connectivity.
However, a word of caution should still be mentioned here. Some casinos prohibit the use of a VPN. This is normally stated in the terms and conditions. Players who violate this rule could place their account at risk. There are other times when a VPN might lead to functionality issues. This is on a case-by-case basis, and it is a good idea to determine if a VPN is permitted in advance.
Text Recognition Software
One of the latest advancements comes in the form of a software bundle known as optical character recognition (OCR). This system is essentially associated with the ability to translate images found within physical text into a machine-readable format. The reason why OCR is important when discussing live dealer games involves how programs can interpret the results of a competition. This is applicable when referring to games such as poker, roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Optical character recognition is often used in tandem with the actions performed by live dealers. The goal is to ensure a balanced playing field. This brings up another point.
Provably Fair Gameplay
Provably fair gameplay has been traditionally associated with games offering random outcomes. Slot platforms are well-known examples. However, this very same technology is beginning to make its presence known throughout the live dealer community. It essentially employs a type of algorithm that can be independently verified; ensuring that the house does not have an unfair edge. While the mechanics behind provably fair gameplay are somewhat complicated, the premise is simple. Players need to know that they are not at a disadvantage.
Multiple Camera Angles
Most of us would automatically assume that a the actions of a live dealer are being recorded by a single camera. While this might have been the reality in the past, there are now software programs that simultaneously support multiple angles. The intention here is to lend a three-dimensional feel to the gameplay. It is also possible for the provider to switch between cameras with a single click; resulting in a more realistic overall experience for the players.
High-Definition Feeds
If there is a single advancement that can be used to define the online entertainment industry, it is the rise of high-definition video rendering. There are even some games that now offer up to 4K resolution. This is due to increased bandwidth, and more robust processing power when compared to previous capabilities. Video feeds are extremely crisp, latency issues have been all but eliminated, and the colour spectrum is much more vibrant than in the past. This only stands to reason when we remember that modern display screens are fully capable of hosting HD content.
Next-Generation Payment Options
A final portion of the end-user experience that needs to be mentioned is rather utilitarian in nature. A growing proportion of live dealer games now support cryptocurrencies, and a handful can even work in tandem with non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Online casinos have likewise begun to boast “hybrid” payment models; platforms that accept both fiat, and cryptocurrencies. This is an extremely convenient alternative for users, and it particularly appeals to those who wish to leverage the increased level of anonymity attributed to the blockchain.
First-Class Gaming and Technology: The Next Generation of Online Streaming Entertainment
What can we take away from the points mentioned above? There is much to say about how far digital technology has advanced in relation to streaming online entertainment. However, these observations also lead us to a single conclusion. Consumers are no longer satisfied with generic options. They see beyond the status quo, and wish to employ the latest advancements. As the next generation is already familiar with such technologies, it is perfectly logical to assume that even more innovations will come to light. Some concepts that have already begun to emerge include:
- Chat bots powered by generative artificial intelligence.
- Live dealer games that employ augmented reality (AR).
- Platforms that support virtual reality (VR) headsets.
Although these options would have represented nothing more than the stuff of fiction a few years ago, they are now enjoying a pronounced online presence. What can players expect in the future? Only the software developers behind the next generation of live dealer games know the answer.
