When we look at the rise of the internet, we can often signpost it by saying that it was born (to the mainstream) with the launch of the worldwide web in the 1990s and the growth of home computers in the same decade. But, many would say that the internet ‘came of age’ with the launch of the iPhone in the late 2000s. Similarly, the online casino industry was born in the 1990s, but one might argue that its iPhone moment came in the 2010s, with the arrival of live casino technology.

Now, if you weren’t aware, live casino games are those played on your computer or smartphone with real dealers, as well as real cards, dice, etc. The action is streamed from a studio to your device, with console technology allowing everything to happen in real-time. It was a literal game-changer for the industry, allowing players to experience the thrills of games like live roulette without having to visit a land-based casino.

But having a live casino section on a casino platform is not as simple as hiring a couple of croupiers and pointing a camera at them. These games use ultra-sophisticated technology and require on-site management, as well as regulatory adherence. It is, in fact, a massive industry. Look at any job website now, and you will see openings for roles in the live casino sector. And, it is not individual casinos that run these operations; it’s casino software companies. They will provide the studios, staff, equipment, and most importantly, the know-how.

But who are these companies? Well, we can look below at the four big brands who dominate the market, accounting for the vast majority of the 1000s of live dealer tables for online casinos around the world:

 

Playtech

Considered one of the pioneers of the online casino industry, Playtech was founded in 1999. The company, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, is responsible for creating games and casino software, i.e., the infrastructure that a site needs to run. Playtech was quick to recognize the importance of live dealer games to the industry, and it was also early in seeing that new styles of live games would be a huge attraction for players. Titles like Quantum Blackjack have really changed players’ expectations of casino games.

 

Evolution Gaming

Arguably the global leader in live casino gaming, Evolution is a Swedish company with bold ambitions. It was one of the first to create the idea of live game show games, exploring options away from traditional card and table games. A good example is Evolution’s Deal or No Deal Live, which is based on the popular television game show of the same name. Recently, Evolution started experimenting with “Dual Play”, a concept where players could play remotely at real casino resorts.

 

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is the ‘youngest’ of the developers on this list, only launching as a business in 2015. But Pragmatic Play has quickly become one of the most important developers and one of the most popular. Its live dealer suite is smaller than the others here, but it is growing more rapidly. The company has a particular presence in South American markets.

 

Microgaming

Microgaming is probably the most venerable name on this list, as it is credited with creating the first online casino games in the 1990s. Some might claim that Microgaming is not as fashionable as it used to be in terms of its output, but it still commands some of the traits that players treasure above all – reliability and trust. Moreover, with its release of several new games in 2022, many players are warming to Microgaming once again.

 

 

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