Events shaping live dealer gaming in 2025

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Popularity of live dealer games showed no signs of slowing in 2025.

Estimates have the category comprising up to 30–35% of total online casino revenue in 2025 in mature markets, up from around 20% in 2023/24.

Here are some of the events that shaped the industry during the year.

Regulation changes and new regulated markets in 2025

As expected, Brazil launched it’s new regulated market on the first day of the new year. Less expected was the awarding of vendor licenses in the UAE to live games provider Live88, paving the way for the first Gulf State live dealer operation.

The UK government rattled the industry with a decision to almost double remote gambling taxes. It’s a decision that has left a number of operators re-thinking their future in that market.

Meanwhile state governments in the US (lead by California) started making concerted legal efforts to close loopholes allowing sweepstakes (or social) casinos to accept American players. Firmly in their crosshairs are operators like Stake.us.

Studio launches during 2025

There was a flurry of new studio launches throughout the year, beginning with Playtech’s Zlín, Czechia studio. They also launched Live from Vegas, allowing players worldwide to play tables situated on the floor of the Vegas’ MGM Grand and Bellagio casinos.

playtech synot studio

Playtech’s Czechia studio

Evolution’s first Asian studio, in Cebu Philippines opened in the middle of the year. They also bolstered their LATAM presence with a new studio in São Paulo, Brazil.

Not to be left out of the action, Pragmatic Play opened their first LATAM studio with the launch of a 100 table capacity operation in Bogota, Colombia.

New live game launches during 2025

New games came think and fast. There were plenty of new game shows. But also a nice selection of table game variations.

Squeeze Baccarat player squeeze

Digital peek at the cards on Pragmatic’s Squeeze Baccarat tables

RNG ‘Live games’ launches during 2025

It’s perhaps a sign of the times that one of Evolution’s most hyped live game releases was a game with outcomes entirely RNG generated. Ice Fishing Live was front and centre at their stand at the Barcelona gaming expo. But the only real live element of this game is the dealer/presenter calling the action.

Landing a Big Red, playing Ice Fishing

Not that this seemed to bother players, as it quickly becoming a hit after launching mid year.

It wasn’t the only RNG game to join live lobbies during the year. There were a few from Evolution.

Live game reboots during 2025

A couple of older games that didn’t quite hit the mark were rebooted.

There were also some notable rule tweaks to long running tables. Pragmatic allowing double-down after split on all their live blackjack tables was among these.

AI meets live dealers in 2025

Artificial intelligence’s inevitable introduction to live game delivery became more evident. Subtly in some cases, like the introduction of AI chatbot’s as first line of in-game chat support (Creedroomz). Less subtly in other cases like Sunny – BetHog’s AI Blackjack dealer.

Courtroom dramas during 2025

The biggest story in live dealer gaming for 2025 had very little to do with live dealer gaming.

It was a year dominated by courtroom dramas. Evolution’s patent infringement claims against Light & Wonder for allegedly copying elements of Lighting Roulette continued throughout the year without resolution. While Taiwanese company Jumbo Technology decided to file a lawsuit against Evolution alleging the very same game infringed their IP.

But one drama stood out above all others, and looks set to get only juicier in 2026 and beyond.

After months of legal jujitsu, Playtech were finally unmasked as the source of the Calgagni smear campaign directed at Evolution. They’ll now have to defend their actions through 2026 with the prospect of a material damages payout on the horizon.

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