The world has evolved quite a lot in the last few decades, with plenty of developments in online gambling. Live casinos are constantly developing, and thanks to the popularity of live variants online, they continue to expand.
Recently, MGM Resorts and Playtech announced that their proprietary casino stream will operate from the two Las Vegas casinos. With this, MGM-Live branded casino games are exclusively available to those in the United States along with other regulated online gaming markets.
As changes continue to be made and the industry continues to change, there is concern that live-streaming casinos may replace live dealers in land-based casinos. So much so that Bellagio Dealers filed a complaint concerning their privacy and security. The croupiers even asked for the implementation of proper consent prior to the use of their images.
Playtech and MGM aim to broadcast live games like Baccarat and Roulette to the world.
A fight for balance
There is a big fight for balance right now, trying to meet the needs of the live gaming market without completely disregarding the needs of land-based venues and croupiers.
Croupiers have strong feelings regarding privacy and security, along with the requirement to get proper consent before using the dealer images in the live streams. This is fair, considering there are many regions where this is expected without having to ask. Especially when imagery is used in public.
The case is still ongoing, but the negotiations and the new policies implemented to address these concerns will largely determine the outcome.
Some alternatives to live streaming would include pre-recorded videos, virtual reality, or even interactive tutorials. At the end of the day, this kind of defeats the purpose of the live experience most players are after. Instead, casinos should place greater focus on addressing the croupiers' concerns.
They should consider fully informing croupiers about the live-streaming process and getting their consent before hitting the record button. Guidelines must be developed and implemented to ensure clear privacy policies regarding dealer images and personal information usage, storage, and protection.
Dealers should be able to remain anonymous or use avatars instead of their actual images. Channels should also be established where dealers can freely raise their concerns and provide feedback.
Will live casinos replace land-based croupiers?
This in itself raises the question of whether or not live casinos will soon replace live dealers in land-based casinos.
While the major shift towards online casino gaming may make it seem like a possibility, the chances of that actually happening are very low.
Live casinos are an exciting benefit of online gaming. They allow those who live far from land-based casinos to enjoy the thrill of the live experience from anywhere via their desktop or mobile device.
While they try to simulate a similar experience, they haven’t been able to do so successfully despite the advanced technology used.
Some elements simply make the land-based casino experience unique and unmatched. The first, of course, is human interaction. You’ll get to converse with strangers at your table, the live dealers, and others. You also hear the hustle of people as they walk by and have conversations of their own, and it kind of feels like a big community.
With land-based casinos, there’s also more trust and authenticity established as you get to see everything happening in real time. The best live dealer casinos also have the same type of experience, but there’s something that makes being physically present better.
And we can’t skip out on the in-person entertainment offered. This includes not just the entertainment of the casino and its offerings outside of casino gaming but also the personalities and interactions between dealers and players.
It’s less formal; you also build a sense of familiarity as you learn to recognise faces if you go often.
Does live-streaming casino play pose a threat?
Streaming casino games is surely gaining popularity. This also involves broadcasting live casino games on a platform of choice, allowing viewers to observe skilled players in action. People worldwide are tuning in to improve their gaming skills and experience by watching seasoned pros.
So, is this a threat to online gambling and land-based casinos?
While live-streaming casino play is growing as a new means of entertainment, it can only positively affect gambling. Viewers aren’t using it to replace their desire to play.
Instead, watching live streams helps them better understand game rules, betting tactics, and winning strategies and techniques.
Wins and limits differ
When it comes to the overall betting experience at live casinos, there are some elements that just enhance the overall experience for the bettor. An important factor that is taken into consideration is the types of perks these venues and sites offer and how they compare.
However, one of the first things most people look at when choosing their game choice is how wins and limits in online and land-based casinos differ. More variance allows you to experience games at your own pace on a bet limit that suits you.
The attraction of land-based and online casinos
The battle for attracting and retaining customers has been ongoing for quite some time. Both land-based and online casinos focus on creating an experience that is impossible to ignore.
The online casino industry has experienced a great deal of change and progression, which keeps players on their toes. Not to mention the very big bonuses and promotions, loyalty programs, and exclusive extras to look forward to.
Land-based casinos can’t be ignored, as they are always finding new ways to combine the world of online attractions and land-based betting entertainment. Some things, like NFT art exhibitions, just feel different when walking from one artwork to the next.
Is there a difference in games?
If you think about it, both land-based and live casino platforms offer the same experience with similar or identical games. While the first instinct is to compare land-based and online casino games, you’ll quickly see that both have their appeal.
For land-based casino venues, there is still the benefit of a real, authentic experience that no online casino has yet managed to match.
When you look at it that way, it seems that both live casinos and land-based casinos are here to stay. If implemented right, live streaming can be used as a tool to complement land-based casino gaming. It gives you a choice of whether you feel like going out and socialising while playing games or prefer to stay home and play in private.
It can strengthen the already impressive offerings of both sides of the industry, which makes it important to address the croupier concerns and make it an enjoyable experience for all parties involved.
Article by Deni
CasinoWow Contributor
Hi, I’m Deni and I am here to ensure you have all the information you need to make informed decisions about online casinos and games and, of course, have fun while doing it. I do so through in-depth research and a keen eye for detail resulting in comprehensive reviews and engaging articles. Let’s explore the iGaming world together!