The iGaming industry has undergone a notable period of transformation, ultimately shaping what it is today. The advent of live casino games is truly unique, allowing individuals to play from anywhere, eliminating the need to visit physical casino venues for authentic play. Live casino games have become a genre in their own right, offering a wide selection of games like blackjack live, from traditional table games found on traditional casino floors to innovative game shows.
When live casino games were first introduced, public perception was very different from what it is today, with many dubious claims about their legitimacy. With advances in technology, live casino games have evolved into fully transparent games, with faster connection speeds making them a notable player in the industry.
The Evolution of Online Casinos Before Live Gaming
Online casinos emerged late in the 1990s, though their early years were very different from today. These online casinos utilised simple software and basic internet connections, with slots common at the time. Despite being an innovation in the casino industry, these online platforms were limited, as they were most compatible with desktop devices that could handle the required internet speeds. Unlike modern casino platforms, the user interface lacked depth, and all games had poor graphics.
As technology improved, online casinos grew in every way, including a broader selection of games, faster connection speeds, and greater accessibility than ever. As platforms develop, their convenience becomes a strong advantage, allowing players to access slot games without needing physical casinos or bookmakers. As the iGaming world continued to expand, live casino games slowly integrated, a change that would transform the industry massively.
What is Live Casino?
Live casino games offer a different gaming experience from online slots, shifting from RNG (Random Number Generator) systems to physical dealers. Live casino games come in myriad forms, with the most popular being traditional table games and game shows. These live casino games attempt to replicate the aesthetic of a physical casino, with gameplay taking place in a studio featuring bright flashing lights and other elements commonly found in casinos. Live casino games that replicate iconic table games offer gameplay that is extremely similar to their traditional forms, often using the same card suits or roulette wheels.
These live casino games often offer more interactive features, with live chat boxes that let players communicate with one another or even the dealer. The increased accessibility of these live casino games has helped grow the industry, improving the user experience and making it more relaxed for players.
The Most Notable Live Casino Games
First Person Blackjack
There are many live casino Blackjack games in the industry, all featuring gameplay similar to the traditional table game. This title was released by the notable development studio Evolution Gaming in 2018 and, as the title suggests, offers a first-person Blackjack experience. The gameplay will take place in a fitting setting, with a green Blackjack table, a selection of chips, marble flooring, and 5 seats for players.
The basic Blackjack gameplay mechanics are part of all live casino variants, including this title, with players originally being given two cards, and the dealer having their own pair. The dealer's cards will include one face down and one face up. Players will then make a decision based on the total of their hand, whether to ‘Stand’ and hold their total hand value, or ‘Hit’ and take another card. The aim is to beat the dealer's hand without exceeding 21; otherwise, the player ‘busts’ and loses the game.
Crazy Time
Once again, Evolution Gaming released this title, showcasing its versatility in the live casino sector, given that this title follows a live game show format. The Crazy Time title was released in 2020 and features a 54-sector wheel that determines gameplay. A live dealer will spin the wheel, and once it stops, an indicator will point to a coloured segment, awarding a prize based on that segment. The Crazy Time game will take place in a fitting setting, with bright lights similar to those on casino floors and the big coloured wheel in full view, where play will commence.
In Crazy Time, players can place wagers on any of the slots, with each category having its unique prize. These sectors can include 1, 2, 5, 10, and four mini games, each with unique colouring. If the numbered categories are landed on, the respective number multiplier will be awarded to the stake placed on the category before the wheel is spun. The four mini games include Coin Flip, Cash Hunt, Pachinko, and Crazy Time. Each of these bonus mini-games provides players with unique experiences, transforming the visual display into a different setting with different gameplay. The titular Crazy Time bonus is the most notable, making up 1 of the 54 sectors, which will present a larger 64-sector wheel containing a range of multipliers.
