The Evolution of Live Casino Technology: Past, Present, and Future

Live casino games - or live dealer games - have completely transformed the online casino experience. Games that used to be played against faceless dealers now are played against real dealers and with fellow players. This has made for a more authentic and immersive gaming experience and is the reason why live dealer games are quickly becoming the preferred way to play for hundreds of players - new and old. So how did we get here? Today, we're going to take a look at where live casino games started, where they are and the exciting possibilities their future holds. Let's dive in!

Live Dealer Games: The Past

When people think of live dealer games they probably think of Evolution. They are one of - if not the - leading developer behind live dealer games. But they weren't the first. Live dealer games saw a rise in popularity in the early 200s - right around the time the World Series of Poker was being shown on national TV. The popularity of WSOP led to a huge interest in poker and gambling in general. Cue online casinos.

Online casinos exploded all around the internet. They were in a rush to capitalize on WSOP's popularity and many of them introduced their own versions of live dealer games. However, as we all know, the early days of the internet were not the smoothest for things like videos and live streaming. The technology we take for granted today simply wasn't available back then. That meant live dealer games had to rely on dial-up internet modems. This led to a drag in the streaming capabilities and led to issues with players placing bets and knowing which cards they've been dealt.

It seemed that in a rush to capitalize on gambling's growing popularity, online casinos didn't realize the work that was needed to bring a reliable live dealer experience to players. So most of these early versions were abandoned. Online casinos turned their focus to building a strong library of video slots, virtual table games and video poker. And for a long time that was the majority of what online casinos offered.

Until it wasn't…

Live Dealer Games: The Present

The turning point for live dealer casino games happened around 2017 when developer Evolution burst onto the scene. It also didn't hurt that players could now utilize wi-fi to ensure a more reliable internet connection. But it was really the technology that Evolution - and then other developers - came up with that changed the game.

Players could now play their favorite games - like blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker - in real time. Cutting edge technology allowed for results to be transmitted from the table to both the dealer's and players' screens in real time. This cut down on the lag time and disruptions that plagued live dealer games at the beginning.

That technology is call Optical Character Recognition. Let's take a look at blackjack. When you play a live dealer version of blackjack you'll notice a small black box by the shoe. It almost looks like a scanner you see in line at a grocery store. Every time a dealer deals a card they first scan the card face down over that box. That's because there is a small chip on the face of the card that when scanned, transmits the information into the computer. That's how the dealer and player can see what the cards.

This technology allows games to run smoother and quicker and ensures that the games are being played fairly and are transparent.

Another aspect of live dealer games that grew was the game selection. What used to be only table games like blackjack and roulette soon grew to include poker, sic bo, super 6 and a variety of fun and unique specialty games like wheel of fortunes, monopoly and lotteries.

None of these would be available today if not for the growth and expansion of the technology used by developers to ensure these games can be played smoothly and fairly.

Live Dealer Games: The Future

When you think about where the future of live dealer games and their technology could go there's two words that instantly come to mind: Virtual Reality. That's the next step in the ever evolving world of live casino games. What is already an authentic gaming experience can be made a completely immersive one by taking the player and making him or her feel as if they're standing in an actual casino.

This would not only bring an immersive gaming experience but also a more interactive one as well. Players would be able to communicate and play with each other in person rather than over a chat.

But all of that is a long way away. VR is growing in popularity along with online gambling. The two seem like a perfect fit for each other. But the technology needed to ensure a fair, smooth and secure VR gambling experience just isn't there yet. But when it gets there, players will be able to experience something truly special.

Conclusion

Live dealer games and its technology has come a long way. What started out as a hit and miss adventure of the early internet days is now one of the leading reasons why new players join the online gambling world. It's brought authenticity to what used to be a lonely gaming experience. And with advancements in VR down the road, the live dealer experience is only going to get better!