It’s interesting to chart how far we have come in the iGaming (online casino and betting) sector in recent decades. From the static internet casino of the 1990s and early 2000s, we witnessed the mobile revolution in the 2010s, with casino operators arguably being more prescient than any other entertainment sector in realizing that the future was “mobile”. Of course, the introduction of live dealer games in the 2010s was probably the most significant. It delivered the authentic casino experience for players.
But what will be the next evolution in live casino? Below, we provide five predictions as to what it could look like as we hit the 2030s:
AI Croupiers
Just a few years ago, the idea of having AI croupiers would have seemed preposterous. However, the huge strides in artificial intelligence technology mean it’s not just possible but probable that we see AI used in some capacity in the live casino. The tech is already mooted for movies to create characters, so why not the live casino? The question, however, is whether players will warm to the idea of playing with a holographic dealer. The top live dealer casinos are popular due to the allure of playing with friendly and professional dealers. Can a bot deliver an authentic experience?
VR/AR Takeover Happens Gradually, then All at Once
It seems we have been talking about the idea of virtual reality and metaverse casinos for a long time now, and there seems to be little movement on that front. However, with new technology coming from Apple and Google, both of whom are developing VR/AR headsets for the mass market, it seems inevitable we reach the tipping point in a few years. The idea of transporting yourself into a live casino environment and taking a seat at the (virtual) table is a compelling one for casino players. And it will happen, eventually.
Play Remotely at Top Casinos
This idea is not new. Evolution Gaming has already started it with its Dual Play Games. It consists of players playing remotely at land-based casinos. It’s a great idea, even if Evolution’s roll-out has had a few hiccups along the way. The concept is that someone could be sitting in their bedroom but be able to play at live tables somewhere like the Bellagio or the Casino de Monte Carlo. Thus, while they can place their bets remotely, they can play alongside the people at the casino. It’s such a fun idea – and, as mentioned, Evolution has already planted the seeds – we expect this to take off in the coming years.
Game Shows Become the Norm
It’s interesting to note that casinos embrace tradition like few other entertainment industries. Consider the longevity of games like poker, baccarat, roulette, and blackjack. They’ve been around – and remained popular – for centuries. However, there is also a sense of change with the advent of live casino game shows. Developers like Playtech and Evolution are bringing more and more interesting concepts to life: Monopoly Live, Crazy Time, Adventures Beyond Wonderland, and Big Bad Wolf Live are among the new generation of “game show” casino titles. They won’t supplant the classics, but they will become part of the casino furniture in the years to come.
Blockchain is Adopted
People are, understandably, skeptical about cryptocurrency, and nobody knows whether it will exist years from now. Maybe it’s all a scam, or perhaps it isn’t. Regardless, the underlying blockchain is extremely useful and has a huge role to play in technology. For all the complications of cryptocurrency, it’s worth remembering that a blockchain is an immutable public ledger, a record that cannot be altered. It is already being adopted for some casino games by developers like Provably Fair, and we can certainly see it being used in live casino games, allowing players to verify results and historical data, ultimately giving them more confidence in the platforms.
