What are live dealer games and why are more people playing them?
In many online casino games, the player interacts with what is essentially a video-game version of different gambling games, including experiences usually hosted by a dealer. While this may sound like paradise to some, others who enjoy the live casino atmosphere but can’t get to a casino may find this digital substitute less than appealing. Thankfully for these players, live dealer games address this growing need for a more realistic, social experience.
A live dealer game is live-streamed via high definition (HD) video to the player’s device, recreating the energy and experience of a real casino by connecting the player to a real human dealer with whom they can interact via text or voice chat. This dealer is usually situated in a studio environment, designed to create the illusion that the game is taking place in an actual, physical casino (in some cases, the game really is hosted at one.) These games are often very hi-tech, and usually have multiple HD video streams, allowing players to enjoy the game from multiple perspectives, as if they were really in the room.
The dealer not only hosts the game, but reads the messages and/or listens to the voice chat of those playing online, and interacts with them in the same way as if they were sitting across the casino table. This helps fulfill the social need that many players lack during much online casino gameplay. They can also help players during the game’s action, providing a certain level of support, not least learning the ins and outs of the rules. In this way, live dealer games can also be seen as a bridge between brick-and-mortar casinos and online casinos, as well as offering an extra layer of legitimacy for players who are new to playing online.
For example, an experienced casino goer may be interested in virtual casinos, but may be less confident about just diving into some of the best casino games without assistance from an actual person they can see and talk to. Live-dealer games give them an opportunity to “dip their toes” into the world of online casino gaming, without leaving behind everything they know, as well as providing them with someone who can offer support if required. Players get to try new casino games confidently without the pressure of having to keep up, as they would at a real-life casino.
While these games are accessible on different devices, it’s advisable to play them on machines with large viewing areas, as it may be difficult to view everything you need otherwise.
What live dealer games can you play?
There are many live casino online games available. Here are some of the different types you can enjoy:
- Card games – Baccarat, blackjack and poker (the many variants include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud and 3-card poker) are some of the most popular live dealer card games. If you’d like to play poker online but aren’t interested in regular online poker, live dealer games are likely to scratch your competitive itch.
- Table games – If you’re a fan of games such as roulette, craps or other table games, you’re likely to be able to find at least some of your favorites on offer with a live croupier. Casino table games are more popular than ever and now land-based casino fans can get an authentic experience from the comfort of their homes.
- Lottery and variety games – Perhaps the easiest games to offer as a live dealer are lottery and variety games. Games such as bingo, lotto and keno can all be easily translated to a live dealer format, as they don’t require as much player interaction as others we’ve discussed.
Excellent live dealer game providers
Here are just a few of the fantastic game developers that provide live casino fans with the great experiences they enjoy at digital casinos every day. And don’t worry! Their work is by no means done – they’re constantly innovating and producing new titles.
- Microgaming – The first entry on our list was one of the first live dealer game providers, and is also known for its forays into other popular digital casino game genres. The company launched Live Baccarat in 2006 and has since expanded to include other titles including Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and many more.
- Evolution Gaming – This developer is a specialist in the live dealer gaming space, and was founded in 2006. It has taken home numerous industry awards for its live dealer platform, software and games, and has expanded its development across many locations, including Belgium, Romania and Belarus.
- Playtech – Gamblers can enjoy a variety of experiences from Playtech, including various live dealer games. The company owns one of the largest live dealer studios in the world, with a 90,000sq ft studio in Riga, Latvia, being the heart of its live casino-game operations.
- XPG – Otherwise known as X Pro Gaming, XPG is another European studio that offers players the chance to enjoy traditional live dealer games including blackjack, baccarat and roulette, as well as games such as Wheel of Fortune, Dragon Tiger and sic bo.
- Vivo Gaming – Vivo Gaming is one of the leading interactive providers of HTML5 live dealer software. It offers live dealer games such as European Roulette, Caribbean Stud and Live Bingo.
Play live dealer games and more with BetMGM
After all this talk of the growing popularity of live dealer games, wouldn’t it be great to know you could enjoy these online casino games (and more) at BetMGM?
Good news! We offer some fantastic live dealer titles including Infinite Blackjack, American Roulette and Ultimate Texas Hold’em! You can also enjoy casino games such as poker, slots, and a whole heap of other games on our casino site. So to discover new casino games, access great casino odds and enjoy a fantastic online casino, register with BetMGM.
