Background

As is the case in the RNG gaming world, few casinos offering live gambling do so with an ‘in-house’ developed software solution. In most cases, the live dealer software platform and all associated services like the video feed technology, dealer studio and dealers themselves are outsourced to a third party provider. Of course, there are exceptions but in the main, the interface and dealers you find at one casino are unlikely to be exclusive to that casino.

In many aspects, your choice of live dealer casino should hinge largely on the live games provider and the attributes of its offering.

Two of the large RNG software developers, Microgaming and Playtech aggressively entered the live gaming space in the niche’s infancy. Playtech continue as a major player in this space today.

As live dealer games grew in popularity, other established online casino software providers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play added live tables to their exiting suite of suit of RNG games. NetEnt’s live games have since been discontinued but Pragmatic Play remain dedicated to the category.

But this niche has also been driven by live dealer ‘pure plays’  – organisations specialising in this technology to the exclusion of any RNG games. Evolution, Authentic Gaming, OnAir Entertainment and Ezugi are notable examples.

Having closely watched the development of live dealer gaming over the last two decades or so, there is an observation that may be made. Early on, games from different providers were easily distinguishable. Very different looking tables, studio backgrounds, dealer uniforms, playing interfaces etc.

As leaders have emerged in the vertical, other providers have understandably sought to go with the winning formula so to speak. Stopping short of total replication, similarities in some instances are uncanny.

As a result, there is more uniformity in the games across all the providers now.

The below table takes a brief look at the different providers in live dealer gaming and what we like/dislike about their offerings.

Platform provider: We like We don’t like Licensee Casinos
Evolution
  • impressive licensee base;
  • dedicated to live dealer gaming;
  • ‘TV’ quality large video stream;
  • stream tolerant to slower connection speeds;
  • player controllable stream views;
  • browser based games;
  • large table/dealer range 24/7 (700+ studio tables);
  • massive game range
  • many in-casino tables
  • studio ambience, variety;
  • fast deal tables;
  • mobile compatible;
  • large private casino branded rooms;
  • multiple simultaneous table play;
  • full disclosure house rules & RTP %;
  • live studio support for players (rather than being referred to casino support)
  • robust license & regulation;
  • dealers
  • no free play
 888 Live
William Hill
Stake
Grosvenor
PartyCasino
Bwin
Dublinbet
Mr Green
Leo Vegas
Pragmatic Play
  • user friendly UI;
  • great video/audio clarity;
  • nice looking studios;
  • large (and fast growing) game range;
  • large (and fast growing) table/dealer range;
  • full disclosure house rules & RTP %;
  • mobile compatible;
  • playable at well known operators;
  • dealers
  • no free play
 888
Mr Green
Dublinbet
Leo Vegas
Stake
Stelario
Windetta
Playtech
  • impressive licensee base;
  • size, reputation, operating history;
  • browser based games available;
  • large game range;
  • video clarity;
  • studio ambience, variety;
  • platform probity and security – TST audited and compliant;
  • mobile compatible;
  • multiple simultaneous table play;
  • full disclosure house rules & RTP %;
  • disconnection policy;
  • robust license & regulation
  • no free play
 bet365
Dafabet
888
BetFred
Bwin
Frumzi
Amunra
PaddyPower
Betfair
Ezugi
  • multiple studio and in-casino streams;
  • solid UI for smaller provider;
  • full disclosure of house rules and return to player rates;
  • first live dealer provider in the US (via Gold Nugget Casino, Atlantic City);
  • mobile compatible;
  • game range;
  • no free play
 888
Stelario
Windetta
Dafabet
Leo Vegas
Dublinbet
Frumzi
Amunra
OnAir Entertainment
  • user friendly UI;
  • great video/audio clarity;
  • nice looking studios/chroma key;
  • mobile compatible;
  • playable at well known operators;
  • no free play
 Betway
Royal Vegas
Leo Vegas
Frumzi
Amunra
Authentic Gaming
  • in-casino streams;
  • multiple bricks and mortar casino options;
  • La Partage and En Prison rules;
  • mobile compatible;
  • playable at well known operators;
  • US based casino tables offered (Foxwoods)
  • limited blackjack/baccarat table range
 888
Leo Vegas
Mr Green
StakeLogic
  • user friendly UI;
  • great video/audio clarity;
  • nice looking studios/chroma key;
  • mobile compatible;
  • playable at well known operators;
  • no free play
 Stelario
Windetta
Leo Vegas
Frumzi
Amunra
Betvictor
Creedroomz
  • user friendly UI;
  • great video/audio clarity;
  • nice looking studios/chroma key;
  • mobile compatible;
  • large array of blackjack/baccarat tables;
  • diverse game range;
  • many native language tables;
  • no free play
 Stelario
Windetta
Frumzi
Amunra
Iconic21
  • user friendly UI;
  • great video/audio clarity;
  • nice looking studios/chroma key;
  • mobile compatible;
  • reasonably diverse game range fro small provider;
  • no free play
 Frumzi
Amunra
Opus Gaming
  • massive game range (Asian flavour);
  • large table/dealer range 24/7
  • information rich lobby;
  • information rich, intuitive play interface;
  • other table state of play updates;
  • big limit range;
  • mobile compatible;
  • good video quality
  • no free play;
  • no dealer chat;
  • no 7 seat blackjack
 Dafabet
M88
Betgames.tv
  • robust certification and licensing;
  • unique list of games, point of difference;
  • mobile playable
  • no free play;
  • no dealer chat;
  • low theoretical returns;
 Stelario
Windetta
Leo Vegas
Betway
Dublinbet
Portomaso Gaming / Wirex
  • robust certification and licensing;
  • studio and in-casino games;
  • simple, uncluttered interface;
  • mobile playable;
  • high quality video for studio games
  • no free play;
  • studio games not available 24/7;
  • video problematic on mobile
 Leo Vegas
Betsson
Dublinbet
Visionary iGaming
  • free play option available;
  • browser based;
  • game range;
  • simple, uncluttered interface;
  • entertaining dealers;
  • Costa Rica based;
  • small, inset video;
  • not mobile compatible;
  • video low res and not tolerant to slow connections
 Dublinbet
LiveG24
(Media Live)
  • reasonable game range;
  • extensive regulator certification;
  • simple, uncluttered interface;
  • very good video and audio quality;
  • mobile compatible (iOS, Android, Windows)
  • no free play option;
  • limited number of tables
 OlyBet
Microgaming
(MG live)
  • size, reputation, operating history;
  • platform probity and security – eCOGRA audited and compliant;
  • game range – roulette, baccarat, blackjack, hold’em poker
  • play multiple games concurrently.
  • bet behind and fast play (15s b/w deals) for blackjack;
  • video quality adjustable, game view options.
  • robust license & regulation
  • no free play option;
  • studio ambience;
  • diminishing licensee numbers;
  • very limited geo-availability;
  • robotic dealers
 Dafabet
Royal Vegas
PlatinumPlay
Dublinbet
Vivo Gaming
  • outstanding game range (including craps, they claim);
  • large table/dealer range 24/7;
  • mobile compatible;
  • multiple studios to choose from;
  • multiple language options;
  • consistent UI.
  • use of 3rd party operated studios;
  • no free play.
 Stelario
Windetta
Xpro Gaming
  • impressive game range;
  • large table/dealer range 24/7;
  • mobile compatible;
  • nice studio;
  • reasonable video and audio stream
  • no free play option;
  • game house rules not provided;
  • lack of transparency on regulatory license/certification credentials
 Stelario
Windetta
Amaya/HoGaming
  • reasonable game range;
  • simple, uncluttered interface;
  • good video and audio quality;
  • playable at well known operators;
  • reasonable table & dealer range available 24/7
  • no free play option;
  • studio ambience;
  • video not tolerant to slow connections
 Intercasino
Stelario
Windetta
EntwineTech
  • game range;
  • large bet ranges and bet limits for high rollers;
  • large table/dealer range 24/7;
  • playable at well known operators
  • no free play option
  • busy interface;
  • video quality and deal lag
 188Bet
NetEnt
(discontinued)
Actual Gaming
(formerly Vuetec)		 Dublinbet
Extreme Live Gaming
(discontinued)
Smart Live Gaming
(discontinued)
Global Gaming Labs
(discontinued)