The Rise of Live Dealer Games at Online Casinos

Online casinos first sprung up in the mid 1990s, but became much more popular during the 2000s onwards. Since then, the industry has transformed from a small niche to a global market worth in the region of $63 billion. 

Technological advancements have allowed companies to offer user-friendly online casino platforms with a wide variety of games and plenty of active users. 

What are live dealer games?

Live dealer games are available at major online casinos. Dealers operate via video feed on a live stream direct to player’s devices, whether it’s desktop or mobile. These real human hosts spin the ball or shuffle cards just like in a real casino. And with the rise of internet availability, speed, and connection strength, live casino games bring the excitement and human touch associated to the online sphere. 

Players make bets the same way they would in the online version of the game they are playing. So, in roulette, players place chips on the virtual board they see in front of them. The key difference is it will be a trained and friendly dealer spinning the ball. 

Likewise when playing blackjack. A trained dealer will be shuffling and dealing the cards from a studio, live streamed to whoever is playing. 

What live casino games are available?

The exact live casino games that are available will depend on the site you choose to play. Major online casinos will usually offer the most popular table games, such as roulette and blackjack. Bodog offers several live casino games. They are:

• Live dealer blackjack – In blackjack, players have to make as close to a score of 21 as they can, without going over and going bust. They must also beat the dealer’s score. In live dealer blackjack, the rules are the same. The Dealer will shuffle six decks. Blackjack pays 3:1 and all other bets pay even money. There are multiple side bets available and on Bodog you can also watch the game and bet on other players.
• Live dealer roulette – Roulette is one of the most popular table games. The rules are simple. Players place bets on numbers, sections of the board, or other bets. The dealer spins the ball around the wheel. Wherever it lands is the winning numbers and any players who placed bets covering that number are paid out relative to the odds. Live dealer roulette operates the same way, with players placing bets online and the dealer spinning the ball. 
• Live dealer baccarat – Baccarat is another casino favorite that is available as a live dealer game on major platforms. In baccarat, players can bet on the Banker, on the Player, or on a Tie. The banker pays out 1:1 with a five percent commission and the player pays out even money. A tie pays out 8:1. The Dragon Bonus bet is also available on live dealer baccarat on Bodog. This bet pays out if someone has a winning hand of 8 or 9, or they win by four points or more. 
• Live dealer Super 6 – This is a less popular live dealer game but one that is still available on major sites. Super 6 is a variation of baccarat that has slightly different payouts and a lot more side bets. Dealer pays out even apart from when they win by six points, in which case they payout half the bet. Side bets include Banker Pair, Player Pair and Either Pair, as well as the Super 6, a bet that the banker will make a total score of six points.

The above may not be available on all online casino sites, so players should check what platforms offer when it comes to live dealer games.

Why are live casino games popular?

Online casinos have a broad appeal. They are accessible from home or on the move. Players still frequent casinos in person, but many choose to play from their device. 

The first online casinos arose in the 1990s, but it was throughout the 2000s that the industry gained steam. Since then, technology has advanced. Smartphones can stream smoothly in high definition. Internet connections are stronger, faster and more accessible that ever. 

As this technology has improved, so has the online casino industry. It simply wouldn’t have been possible, or at least functional, to live stream dealers in the early days of online casinos. 

Now, with technology enabling easy streaming, and plenty of players around to tune in, live dealer games have been able to gain momentum and major providers have set up studios dedicated to streaming.

They are the perfect choice for those who want the real casino environment, or close to it, without having to go to the casino. There’s more of an interactive element. Players can chat with each other and with the dealer. 

Some players place more trust in live dealer games and prefer to have a human in control of the action. In reality, random number generators used by reputable online casinos are very reliable and independently verified. Still, some players are more at ease in the live dealer environment. 

As the online gaming market continues to grow, and technology continues to advance, expect to see a wider range of live dealer games available on major platforms. 

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash