Live casino games are all the rage in 2020, and it’s difficult to see how digital table and card games can even compete against them.
But how do live dealer games work? Why do they cost more to play? What are the best new live games in 2020? We’ll cover all of that and more in this complete guide to the best live casinos and games.
Live Games Cost More – Here’s Why
It’s possible to play digital table and card games for pennies per spin or hand.
However, generally speaking, you’ll have to pay £0.50 or more to play live roulette or blackjack. It’s not uncommon to find tables with a minimum bet of £1 or more.
This is simply because live games cost more to run. Think about it; a digital game is just a computer algorithm that only has to be programmed once and can then host unlimited players all over the world.
In live games, there are dealers, camera crew, and studio costs. There will also usually be a limit on how many players can be entertained at once. Casinos have to cover these costs, and that’s translated into higher minimum bets. These extra costs are also why you can’t play live casino games in demo mode.
Real Casino Games Are Growing in Popularity
The vast majority of live dealer games are streamed from dedicated gaming studios around the world. Most big-name operators have several studios. For example, Evolution Gaming has studios in Canada, Spain, Latvia, and a handful of other countries.
However, as video-streaming technology has advanced and casinos have realized the popularity of live dealer games, many are now offering real casino games streamed straight from their casino floors. Live roulette specialist Authentic Gaming specializes in these games, but a few other firms also offer them.
Thanks to this trend, you can play live casino games streamed from The Hippodrome in London, Foxwoods Resort in the USA, St. Vincent in Italy, and other top casinos around the world. Live gaming has never been better.
Live Games Are Becoming More Complex and Involved
To begin with, live dealer games consisted of blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat. However, over the last few years, a range of more involved games in the style of TV game shows have emerged. Most of these are pioneered by Evolution Gaming, but Playtech also has a few rival games.
Games like Football Studio, Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and Crazy Time offer you a chance to play something truly different. In 2020, we saw several excellent new titles like Crazy Time and Mega Ball, both of which set new standards for live casino games.
We’ve also noticed the steady evolution of features that improve live dealer games. For example, the “Bet Behind” feature allows unlimited players to play blackjack at once, and the “Rebet” feature in some games allows you to place the same wagers over and over again with a single click.
Clearly, the future is bright for live casino gaming. Both digital game creators and land casinos had better evolve quickly or risk being left behind for good.