Where once casinos were purely brick-and-mortar venues, these days, you can find just as many online casino offerings. The digital shift has changed up the way many players interact with classic casino games, whether they play Slots or Roulette.
Evolving technology has continued to push the format forward, leading to the creation of the hybrid concept of live online casinos. These blend elements of online play with the presence of live dealers, resulting in a very different kind of experience.
To get a better sense of just how live casinos have developed, read on for a guide to the evolution of the live casino concept and how games have adapted to fit the new format.
The start of live casinos
Casinos began experimenting with online platforms during the 1990s, spurred on by the rapid rise of the internet. These early efforts were naturally limited in their scope and graphics, due to the limitations of the technology available at the time.
Games leaned more towards pixel graphics than the sorts of animations and 3D effects you’ll see these days.
But during the early 2000s developers began pioneering a new format that could bring together the accessibility of the online platform with elements of a land-based casino.
Advancing technology
Live casino games struggled to gain significant popularity at first, as live-streaming technology was only in its infancy at the time. Internet speeds were far lower across the board, and this only exacerbated the issues of low video quality.
Still, those early attempts to combine live dealers with online play laid the foundation for the large variety of live casino games available today.
The introduction of high-definition streaming was a major turning point, as players could now watch the dealer work in far better quality. Stronger broadband infrastructure allowed for a much more responsive user interface and the inclusion of multiple camera angles for players to select from.
Expanding game options
Initially, casinos focused on offering live experiences for a few of their classic staples, like Blackjack and Roulette. The relative simplicity of their gameplay and well-known rulesets made it a simpler transition for players experimenting with online play.
Once the technology proved itself, it wasn’t long before the selection of games on offer started to increase. Online casinos expanded past classic table games to include varieties of Poker and gameshow-styled games.
Freed from the limitation of poor stream quality, the production value of live games could increase, incorporating bigger sets and a greater variety of gameplay. Games like Deal or No Deal Live, Monopoly Live and Crazy Pachinko all came about in the following wave of experimentation.
The increasing use of mobiles and tablets for gaming also encouraged developers to implement mobile integration into their newer games. This allowed players to access live casino games from any suitable device as long as they had a solid internet connection.
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Live casino games offer an experience that brings together elements of online and land-based casinos. Whether it’s a traditional table game or a gameshow, there are plenty of options for those who want to try out this fusion casino experience.
