The Rise of Live Dealer Games in Ontario: Bringing the Casino Experience Home

Today, Ontario is a top spot for legal online gambling in Canada, evidenced by several data-backed reports. For instance, an Ipsos survey collected from January 29 to February 15, 2024, showed that over 35% of Ontario residents have engaged in online gaming in the past year.

But that’s not all. Live dealer games combine the excitement of real-time play with modern virtual technologies to provide gamers with an interactive casino experience. In this article, we’ll see CasinoRIX’s expert opinion on the trend of live dealer games and the immersive elements that make this type of casino gaming so popular in Ontario.

What are Live Dealer Games?

Live dealer games are a form of online casino games that use video streaming to provide gamers with an immersive and interactive experience. The games are conducted live by actual human dealers and streamed online, letting gamers interact with other players as well as the dealer.

In a live dealer game, the dealers sit at real casino tables, and their actions are broadcast in real-time by multiple cameras to online gamers. Similar to live streaming platforms like Twitch, gamers can text one another during the stream. Additionally, the dealers in the casino have monitors that allow them to keep an eye on gamers’ interactions.

The technologies that power live dealer games are:

• Live Streaming Equipment: This includes microphones, HD cameras, and optical character recognition technology to capture all activities at the table.
• Game Control Unit: This is a small device that encodes the live stream, ensuring that it’s broadcast efficiently and smoothly.
• Enhanced User Interface: This lets players place bets, check rules, play history, and interact with other players as well as the dealer.

Comparing Live Dealer Games With Traditional Online Casinos and Physical Casinos

Live dealer games combine the best elements of traditional physical casinos and online casino gaming. 

Physical casino games are played in real-world facilities, with dealers and gamers gathered around tables or slot machines, as the case may be. With online casinos, everything is virtual, usually on mobile devices; there are no live dealers, and the excitement of a physical table is absent.

Live dealer games provide a harmonious blend by letting you enjoy the real-time thrill of physical casinos without leaving the comfort of your home, as you would with online games.

The Popularity Surge in Ontario and Factors Responsible for It

In April 2022, Ontario’s government legalized online and single-event sports gambling in the region. Since then, there’s been a massive increase in advertisements for online gambling, as well as online casino gaming activities.

With Ontario generating $2.7 billion in revenue from online gaming in just the first quarter of 2024, it’s clear that gamers are increasingly gravitating towards online casinos. Here are some of the factors responsible for this rise:

Convenience

In an increasingly tech-reliant world, online casino games stand out as a highly convenient option for avid players.

Instead of leaving home for physical casino facilities, which aren’t available everywhere, gamers can simply enjoy playing Baccarat, Poker, or Blackjack from the comfort of their bedrooms. All that’s required is a mobile device and a steady internet connection.

Accessibility

Online gaming has lowered the barrier for new entrants into the casino scene. Now, anyone of the required legal age can enjoy a wide variety of table and slot games without any hindrance.

The games can also be played on the go and at any time of day, making them highly accessible to the average individual.

Social Interaction

Another reason for the increased popularity of online gaming in Ontario is the levels of social interaction offered. 

Previously, you could only interact with other gamers over a table at a physical casino. Today, ever-improving online gaming interfaces mean you can interact virtually with opponents globally. This adds an extra element of thrill to events, regardless of physical distance.

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The Casino Experience at Home

Live dealer games can be enjoyed at home, provided you have a stable internet connection and a mobile device.

Thanks to HD cameras, you see every move the dealer makes and all the action happening on the gaming table, meaning there’s no chance of foul play. Multiple camera angles zooming in and out also enhance your viewing experience. This helps you follow proceedings keenly, with an experience akin to what you’d expect of a physical casino.

You can communicate your bets over text via the live-streaming interface, engage in casual banter, and enjoy the social aspects of physical casinos. This gives a more convenient and personal touch to your gaming adventures.

Conclusion

As technology continues to advance, interest in online gaming is poised to keep growing. Live dealer games, in particular, are set to be highly popular in the coming years. Gamers who enjoy the convenience of online games but also crave the social experience and live thrill of physical casinos will find live dealer games appealing.