Canadian Blackjack Live Dealer Encyclopedia

Live Dealer Blackjack Canada: An Encyclopedic Timeline of Operational History

Live Dealer Blackjack Canada: A complete history and review of live casino operators and studios facing the Canadian market.

In the late 1990s, the first online casinos were launched onto the world wide web. The industry had immense potential, but when it comes to new technologies, trust isn’t always easy to come by. Players were skeptical of a lot more than internet security. They had no way of knowing if the games were fair. Even when software certification came along, many found it difficult to trust a computer program over a real person.

From day one, online blackjack relied on a software program that randomized the deck with an RNG (random number generator). RNGs use complex algorithms to ensure absolute unpredictability, delivering 100% schotastic shuffling results. It was enough for some players to gain confidence in the system, but for others, nothing short of a real live dealer, tossing real cards on a real table, would alleviate their suspicions.

The First Live Casino Launches from Manila

At the turn of the century, there were only a few software companies serving up digital games for the online casino industry. Founded in 1999, Playtech was already a major competitor with a mission to pioneer new technology. Their desire to solve the trust equation was so great, Playtech earned the honor of launching the world’s very first live casino platform from a studio in Manila, Philippines in 2003.

Playtech purchased a warehouse, decorating the interior to mimic a land-based casinos. They installed real gaming tables, hired professional dealers, and equipped the facility with high-tech video and audio equipment. The soft launch went well – as well as could be expected, considering the technology of the time – delivering live blackjack games to internet gamblers in the Asian market.

In 2003, internet connection speeds were not what they are today. Most players were still on dial-up, and not too many computers had the processing speed and/or graphics accelerators necessary to stream the games. Still, it piqued the interest of players all over the world, and gave software companies the drive to keep improving on this new technology.

Microgaming and Evolution Join the Race

2006 was a defining year for the live dealer gaming industry. The world’s oldest iGaming company, Microgaming, launched a live casino from Kahnawake, Canada (later moved to Toronto). Baccarat was the only game on the menu, but Microgaming did not restrict regional access as Playtech had. However, Microgaming’s global reach was immediately rivaled by a new company, Evolution Gaming.

This new company had an Ace up its sleeve – something its predecessors could not compete with. Evolution did not operate in any other iGaming verticals. While Playtech and Microgaming were divvying up their staff between the new live casino segment, plus an RNG-based online casino client, poker client, bingo client, etc., Evolution was able to focus all of its time, energy and staff on its live casino platform and studio. And boy, did it show!

Evolution Starts a Revolution

Right out of the gate, Evolution’s live dealer games were far superior. Launched out of a small studio in the northern European city of Riga, Latvia, the video and audio quality was superb. Streaming service was immaculate. Even players on moderately equipped systems were able to access and enjoy the games without interruption. This was the moment live dealer blackjack games really began to blossom.

Over the next three years, Evolution continued to upgrade and expand its services to new markets. Game variety started small, delivering just the basics – baccarat, blackjack and roulette. Their rivals, on the other hand, chose not to invest in equipment upgrades, but rather increase game variety as rapidly as possible.

With live casinos finally gaining popularity, and multiple brands competing for top titles like “fastest”, “fairest”, “easiest deposit options ” and “most games”, this new vertical was poised for greatness. Thus it came as little surprise when a mish-mash of new companies jumped on the bandwagon.

Everyone Wants a Slice…

Over the next decade, more than a dozen live casino operators launched, most of which are still around today. Below is a complete and current (as of September 2019) historical timeline list of all known live dealer casino operators, their launch year, and location of their studio(s). Click any operator on the list to learn more.

Historical Timeline of Live Dealer Operators

Operator Studio Location Launch Year Status
Playtech Malta 2003 Active
VueTec Ltd Dublin, Ireland 2005 Closed
Microgaming Kahnawake, Canada 2006 Active
Evolution Gaming Riga, Latvia 2006 Active
HoGamingIsle of Man2006Active
Portomaso Gaming / Wirex Malta 2007 Active
Smart Live Gaming London 2007 Closed
Media Live Malta 2008 Active
Netplay TV London 2008 Active
Visionary iGaming Costa Rica 2008 Active
Global Gaming Malmö 2009 Closed
Opus Gaming Manila 2009 Active
Vivo Gaming Costa Rica 2010 Active
Bodog Asia Live Manila 2011 Active
EntwineTech
(formerly Entertasia)
Macau 2011 Active
Xpro Gaming (XPG) Slovakia ~2011 Active
Ezugi Bulgaria 2012 Acquired by
Evolution, 2019
NetEnt Malta 2013 Active
Extreme Live Gaming London 2013 Closed
Actual Gaming
(formerly VueTec Ltd)
Ireland 2015 Closed
Authentic Gaming Italy 2016 Active

Live Casino Operator Information & Review

Playtech Live Casino


Information Founded in 1999, Playtech initiated the soft launch of its first live casino studio from Manila in 2003, catering to the Asian market. A second studio was launched from Riga, Latvia in 2009, followed by a third in Bucharest, Romania in 2017. Playtech also streams live casino games direct from the land-based Casino Gran Madrid in Spain. The company is licensed in its HQ country of Isle of Man, as well as the Philippines and United Kingdom.
Studios Manilla, Philippines
Riga, Latvia
Bucharest, Romania
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, Casino Hold’em, Dragon Tiger, Hi-Lo, Roulette, Sicbo, Spin A Win, Three Card Brag
Dealers Friendly, professional and personable.
Software/Video/Audio The software can be buggy at times. Video quality is fantastic on high-end systems, but struggles on slower devices. Audio cuts out now and again.
Compatibility PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Dealer Languages Chinese, English, Italian and Spanish.

Back to Top

VueTec Ltd. Live Casino (Closed)


Information VueTec was one of the earliest live casino gaming platforms, launched in 2005. Although never among the most popular options, it existed for 10 years. Its flagship brand, Dublinbet, streamed live casino games direct form the Fitzwilliam Card Club and Casino in Dublin, Ireland, making it the first operator to live stream direct from a land-based casino (rather than a studio).

VueTec closed its virtual doors in April 2015. The company was restructured and launched as Actual Gaming the same year. That company has since ceased operations as well.
Studios CLOSED
Live Dealer Games N/A
Dealers N/A
Software/Video/Audio N/A
Compatibility N/A
Dealer Languages N/A

Back to Top

Microgaming Live Casino


Information Microgaming is famous for a lot of iGaming industry firsts. They are the oldest digital gambling games creator, dating back to 1994; built the first wide-area progressive in 1998, paying the first 7-figure jackpot prize soon after; launched and the first mobile casino games for flip-phones in 2003. While they weren’t first to market with a live casino, they did enter the arena early in 2006 as the first to serve players in multiple jurisdictions.

Live baccarat was the only game on offer to start, slowly spreading into other basic titles like blackjack and roulette. Microgaming’s claim to fame is its Playboy branded live casino tables, where genuine Playboy Bunnies deal the games. They also provide an option to play multiple live tables.
Studios Toronto, Ontario
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack, Casino Hold’em Poker, Roulette, and Sicbo, with multi-table play available (up to 3).
Dealers Professional, but not personable. Their dealers – even the Playboy Bunnies – seem to perform as if they’re following a very dull and monotonous script. Don’t expect any ‘ha-ha’ moments.
Software/Video/Audio The software runs very well and is highly intuitive. Video and audio quality is great 99% of the time. If the video does freeze up for a moment, you probably won’t notice due to the mechanized behavior of the dealers.
Compatibility PC and Mac only (not mobile compliant)
Dealer Languages English only

Back to Top

Evolution Gaming Live Casino


Information Evolution Gaming is like no other competitor in the live dealer space. The company launched its first studio in 2006 with a singular focus to serve the live gaming arena. They’ve been doing so in a far superior manner ever since, earning Evolution the Live Casino Supplier of the Year award back-to-back-to-back, since the very first eGR B2B Awards were held in 2009.

Evolution runs multiple live casino studios, and streams direct from over a dozen land-based casinos all over the world. Remarkably, Evolution Gaming was invited to build a studio in Vancouver, B.C., opening its doors to the Canadian market in 2018 as the country’s only regulated live casino operator.
Studios Warehouse Studios
Riga, Latvia
Tbilisi, Georgia
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sliema, Malta
Dual Play from Land-Based Casino
Grosvenor’s Victoria Casino, London, UK
Hippodrome Casino, London, UK
Palm Beach Casino, London, UK
Les Ambassadeurs Club, London, UK
Genting Resorts World, Birmingham, UK
Genting Casino, Manchester, UK
Casino Da Spa, Wallonne, Belgium
Grand Casino Bucharest, Romania
Dragonara Casino, Malta
Casino de Murcia (Rincon de Pepe), Spain
Casinó Campione d’Italia, Como, Italy
Resorts Casino, New Jersey, USA
Ocean Resort Casino, New Jersey, USA
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, New Jersey, USA
Live Dealer Games 2-Hand Hold’em, Baccarat, Baccarat – No Commission), Baccarat – w/ Squeeze, Blackjack, Blackjack – Private Table, Blackjack – Free Bet, Blackjack Party, Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino Hold’em Poker, Deal or No Deal, Double Ball Roulette, Dragon Tiger, Dream Catcher, Immersive Roulette, Infinite Blackjack, Lightning Dice, Lightning Roulette, Monopoly Live, Roulette (EU, FR, US), Side Bet City, Super Sicbo, Texas Hold’em Bonus, Texas Hold’em Poker, Three Card Poker
Dealers Evolution obviously takes pride in the hiring of their dealers, with professionalism, personality and player engagement as top priorities. They know how to keep the games entertaining, and it doesn’t feel fake or forced.
Software/Video/Audio This company spares no expense, equipping each of their studios with the best video and audio equipment. The software is extremely responsive. Even those with a moderate system and connection speed should have no trouble streaming the tables.
Compatibility PC, Mac, iOS, Android
Dealer Languages Danish, Dutch, Flemish, French, English, German, Greek, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

Back to Top

HoGaming Live Casino


Information HoGaming rests comfortably under the wing of Stanley Ho companies. The Ho family is universally-renowned, and largely responsible for building Macau, China into the vast gambling mecca that it is today. HoGaming is just one of many extensions of their superfluous influence over the gaming industry.

Coming off such an industrious line, HoGaming was one of the very first entrepreneurs in the live casino space, launching their product in 2006. It was a slow ascendance for the brand, but one that saw them focus on improving the capabilities of basic titles, rather than expanding into new titles with sub-par systems. That approach proved highly bountiful in later years.

A brief partnership with Amaya (now The Stars Group, TSG) gave HoGaming’s live dealer tables extreme coverage throughout the mid-2010s. Although that partnership no longer exists, it gave HoGaming an eternal boost that’s helping them to thrive today as more than 30 online casinos employ their brand.
Studios Manila, Philippines
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Baccarat w/ No Commission, French Roulette, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, and Sicbo, with optional multi-tabling of up to 3 tables at once.
Dealers All dealers are professionally trained in person at one of Ho’s numerous Macau casino properties. They aren’t prone to uninduced player engagement, but are cordially responsive to interactions.
Software/Video/Audio As an early adopter of live casino software and equipment, HoGaming has evolved into one of the world’s top providers. The interface is easily navigable, feature rich, and offers excellent visual and sound quality.
Compatibility PC, Mac, Android and iOS – Actual compatibility varies by game selection, with download and instant play options for some tables.
Dealer Languages English, Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Malaysian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese.

Back to Top

Portomaso Gaming / Wirex Live Casino


Information This live casino brand is a joint operation between Malta-based Portomaso Gaming and Italy’s Wirex. Portomaso Gaming handles the front end – the face of the business, so to speak – while Wirex provides all of the equipment and delivers the live streaming services to their players’.

There aren’t too many tables on offer, but they are streamed – and streamed well – direct from two land-based casinos in the operator’s native country of Malta.
Studios Portomaso Casino, Malta
Oracle Casino, Malta
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack, Punto Banco, Roulette
Dealers The dealers are professional in their handling of the cards and equipment, but lack and and all social skills. Interaction is rare, but they get the job done.
Software/Video/Audio What this brand lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in streaming quality. The software, video, and audio are all excellent, with no issues to speak of.
Compatibility PC, iOS, Android
Dealer Languages English only.

Back to Top

Smart Live Gaming (Closed)


Information Smart Live Gaming first began broadcasting live casino games via the United Kingdom’s Sky TV network in 2007. They later expanded to PC/mobile gaming, then dropped television broadcast streams in favor of the latter. Things seemed to be going fine until August 2016, when the UK Gambling Commission suspended the company’s license pending a review. One week later, Smart Live was ordered to surrender its licenses and cease operations in the UK immediately. No exact reason was ever given; suffice it to assume the review didn’t go well at all.
Studios CLOSED
Live Dealer Games N/A
Dealers N/A
Software/Video/Audio N/A
Compatibility N/A
Dealer Languages N/A

Back to Top

Media Live Casino


Information Founded in 2005, Media Live launched its first live casino tables from a studio in its home country of Malta in 2008. they were wet behind the ears back then, and it showed. The software was slow, and the video/audio quality sub-par. However, they’ve made significant investments since then, now delivering a high-tech product in numerous regulated markets.
Studios Quormi, Malta
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette.
Dealers They are far more professional than they are personable, but at least they do their jobs well.
Software/Video/Audio Media Live has improved its platform ten-fold in the last decade. The software is incredibly functional, intuitive and easy to use. Video and audio quality is excellent.
Compatibility PC, Mac, Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Dealer Languages English and Italian

Back to Top

Netplay TV Live Casino


Information Netplay TV is a unique operator that delivers live tables games specifically for television. They’ve been broadcasting tables in the UK on Freesat TV since 2008. The games do not run 24/7, airing from 6am-3pm on Channel 5 and Sky 862. They are available on the same schedule via PC and mobile. Of interesting note, Netplay TV’s SuperCasino was the very first real-money live casino app for mobile devices, available on the Apple Store since 2010.

Due to the ‘made for TV’ nature of the product, live roulette is the only game on offer. Baccarat and blackjack made brief appearances, but didn’t blend well with the televised model and soon disappeared. Note that only players physically located in the UK are able to play the games for real money.
Studios London, UK
Live Dealer Games Roulette
Dealers Due to the TV broadcast setting, there is no interaction between the roulette croupiers and players. They are less like a casino dealers and more like game show hosts.
Software/Video/Audio The quality of Netplay’s equipment is unsurpassed, as it must be to broadcast live on television. No interruptions. No glitches. No issues whatsoever. The video and audio streams are perfect.
Compatibility PC, Android, iOS
Dealer Languages English only

Back to Top

Visionary iGaming Live Casino


Information This company performs on reputation over regulation. Headquartered in Costa Rica, they do not require a license or regulatory oversight to operate. This is a huge red flag in my book, but they have operated for more than a decade without notable incident. In other words, they operate an upright business, but they don’t have to. Play at your own risk. With that being said…

Visionary iGaming has a small but lively casino studio. The ambiance is bright and and festive, with energetic music playing at all times. Things get especially spirited whenever a player leaves a tip for their dealer. Everyone knows when it happens because they’ll all start clapping in unison to the music, thereby encouraging more tips.
Studios San Jose, Costa Rica
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack, Blackjack w/ Early Payout, European Roulette, American Roulette w/ Enhanced Payouts, Super 6 Baccarat
Dealers The dealers make these games far more entertaining than the software. They are spunky, often dancing along to the music. Suffice it to say, they know how to work for tips!
Software/Video/Audio This is where Vision iGaming lacks the most. The user interface isn’t full of features, but it works fine. Everything you need is readily available and easy to find. The problem is the video and audio equipment are sub-par – more so the video. It’s low resolution and fuzzy compared to today’s high-tech HD capabilities.
Compatibility PC only
Dealer Languages English and Spanish

Back to Top

Global Gaming Live Casino (Closed)


Information Global Gaming is a company with a sorted past and unforeseeable future. Launched in 2009 from Costa Rica, the bulk of their success came from accessing the US black-market. Although its live tables operated without incident for years, they did so with no transparency or regulatory oversight. The studio underwent mass renovations in 2015, but disappeared shortly after.

The operator reappeared just as suddenly around 2018, this time with offices in Malta and Estonia, and a plan to expand into Sweden. However, the platform changed entirely. Instead of a live dealer studio, they offered a casino backend solution and affiliate program. All seemed to be going well until they were stripped of their Swedish license just months after issuance. Oops…
Studios CLOSED
Live Dealer Games N/A
Dealers N/A
Software/Video/Audio N/A
Compatibility N/A
Dealer Languages N/A

Back to Top

Opus Gaming Live Casino


Information Founded in 2009, Opus Gaming is a top-ranked provider of live dealer blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and other less common table games. In fact, they offer one of the widest ranges of games on the market, including unique titles like 7 Up Baccarat, Fish Prawn Crab and Three Pictures, and a pick-3 Lottery game.

Unfortunately for those of us here in Canada, these games are only available to Asian-facing online casinos and their localized players. Another potential negative for those within this brand’s regional reach is the lack of audio. Without audio, there is absolutely no energy or interaction between dealers and players, taking away from the overall atmosphere.
Studios Manila, Philippines
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, 7 Up Baccarat, Baccarat w/ No Commission, Baccarat w/ Squeeze, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, Fish Prawn Crab, Lottery, Roulette, Sicbo, Texas Hold’em Poker, Three Pictures
Dealers The dealers are very professional and particularly beautiful, but do not interact whatsoever with players due to the lack of audio.
Software/Video/Audio The software runs perfectly smooth and the video quality is outstanding! Audio does not exist.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages Who knows? They don’t speak.

Back to Top

Vivo Gaming Live Casino


Information This company makes a lot of bold claims, but backs them up with nothing tangible. For instance, they claim to have “multiple” studios worldwide, but offer no actual locations. Vivo boasts “strict regulation”, claiming to be licensed in Curacao and First Cagayan (Philippines), but both of their seals (which should be linked to the Curacao eGaming and CEZA websites, respectively) link right back to Vivo’s ‘Fair Gaming’ page. All this, yet the operator has the audacity to claim “compliance, legality and transparency are of utmost importance”? They’re about as transparent as obsidian.

Even the game variety is falsely expounded upon. They list “Live Craps” as one of their premium offerings. They show crisp clear images of it, too. If the claim were true, it would make Vivo Gaming the first and only operator to supply live craps tables online. However, they provide live demos of every game except craps, and I’ve found no operating partner claiming to offer live craps tables. Adding insult to injury, they don’t provide an option to view the house rules of their games either. That’s some transparency, Vivo!
Studios Somewhere in Costa Rica
In-house from Naka Palace Casino, Laos
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, European Roulette, (and supposedly Craps)
Dealers The dealers in Vivo’s Laos location (Naka Palace) are beyond miserable, and it shows. They range from bored and dissociative, to depressed or downright angry. Dealers in the Costa Rica studio are a bit more tolerable of their surroundings, smiling now and again (when they’re not playing with their nails).
Software/Video/Audio It’s obvious Vivo invests very little into the improvement of its platforms. The software is slow and lacks any grace. It doesn’t even have some standard features, like game rules. The video and audio quality in the Costa Rica studio are decent, but at the Laos location it’s terrible.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages English and Spanish

Back to Top

Bodog Asia Live Casino


Information Another Asia-facing operator inaccessible to the Canadian market (as of 2011), Bodog Asia is another highly reputable member of the live casino operator’s community. The company is very old, having taken its first online bets in 1994, and has suffered numerous controversies over the years, but nothing pitiable enough to harm its reputation among players.

The one outstanding negative here is that Bodog Asia no longer offers any form of live dealer blackjack (at least, not at time of writing).
Studios Manila, Philippines
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, Dragon Tiger, European Roulette, Sicbo
Dealers The dealers are cute and professional, as most are, and they have enough sense to smile at the camera at the appropriate times, but that’s about as far as their personality goes.
Software/Video/Audio Bodog’s live casino software is just mediocre really. It’s got all the necessary features, easily accessible to players, and there aren’t any issues or bugs worth noting, but there’s nothing special about it. The video and audio match the same description – capable but not exceptional. Thankfully, the monotonous background music can be toggled off.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages None. There is no live chat, in text or speech.

Back to Top

EntwineTech Live Casino


Information Unveiled in 2011, EntwineTech is actually the revival of an older, less successful brand, Entertasia (2005). In an effort to remove itself from its former inglorious days, the rebranding came with an utter disassociation with their former selves.

The Spring 2011 rebirth saw the company emerge from the restrictive Asia-facing market and into the US limelight, if only for a few brief months before the federal government closed the door, ushering EntwineTech back to Asian online casino licensees. While that remains their primary market, the operator now serves over 70 online casino licensees in multiple jurisdictions.
Studios Manila, Philippines
Live Dealer Games Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, Super Baccarat, Baccarat Pair, Dragon Bonus Baccarat, Dragon Phoenix Baccarat, Points Baccarat, Blackjack, European Roulette, Asian Roulette, 3D Roulette, Big Screen Roulette, Dragon Tiger and Sicbo.
Dealers EntwineTech prides itself on filling their table with fast, well-trained and remarkably beautiful dealers. So beautiful, in fact, that I have to wonder if they chose not to provide live chat audio to protect them from unsavory clientele? Whatever the case, their very friendly, in an untalkative kind of way.
Software/Video/Audio No complaints here. The software is straight forward, features are tight, and the video quality is excellent. The dealers are muted, and you can toggle the background music off if it gets annoying.
Compatibility PC, with Android and iOS accessibility via n2-LIVE mobile solution.
Dealer Languages None. The dealers do not speak.

Back to Top

Xpro Gaming / XPG Live Casino


Information Founded in 2005, Xpro Gaming (recently rebranded XPG) spent the next two years developing its live casino studio brand before launching its first tables in 2007. Unlike most competitors, XPG operates exclusively in the live casino sector; the major benefit being the entire staff’s dedicated focus on the live product.

XPG is known for its expansive game variety, supporting specialty titles that few (if any) others offers, like Andar Bahar and multi-player (PvP) Texas Hold’em Poker. I like to think of Xpro Gaming as the half-brother of Evolution Gaming; following astutely in their footsteps, but as such, always in their shadow. A few much-needed updates to the software and equipment could bring them into the limelight, if ever they make the investment.
Studios Varna, Bulgaria
Republic of Moldova
Live Dealer Games Andar Bahar, Baccarat, Fast Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Dragon Tiger, Dragon Roulette, European Roulette, Texas Hold’em Multi-Player Poker, Wheel of Fortune.
Dealers The dealers are all females, all attractive, and professionally trained to handle their positions. They aren’t brimming with personality, but they do smile now and again.
Software/Video/Audio Recent updates have increased the studio aesthetics, but they should have invested in better equipment rather than new backgrounds and tables. The software is just mediocre, as is the video equipment, offering a low resolution display in direct contrast to the excellent sound quality. My biggest gripe is the lack of house rule information. No educated gamblers wants to play blackjack without these all-important details.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages English only

Back to Top

Ezugi Live Casino


Information Ezugi has been operating live casino tables since 2012, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the company earned the respect it has so-long deserved, becoming the first live casino studio to offer locally regulated live tables on US soil. Ezugi secured a contract to deliver its content for Golden Nugget’s online casino in New Jersey.

That landmark deal earned the Ezugi so much attention that Evolution Gaming acquired the company in early 2019. While the Ezugi Live Casino brand name remains intact, having the parental guidance of the world’s top live casino supplier ensures the product’s technologies will continuously receive state-of-the-art upgrades and enhancements, including recent expansions into Italy, Spain, Denamrk and Sweden, and the Aug. 2019 addition of India favorite, Live Andar Bahar.
Studios Warehouse Studios
Bulgaria
Colombia
Costa Rica
Israel
Latvia
Malta
Romania
Land-based Casino Studios
Golden Nugget Casino, New Jersey
Golden Palace Casino, Belgium
Portomao Casino, Malta
Oracle Casino, Malta
Queenco Casino, Cambodia
Royal Casino, Latvia
Live Dealer Games Andar Bahar, Baccarat, Dragon Bonus Baccarat, Knockout Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, Blackjack (American & European), Hybrid Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, Casino Hold’em, Dragon Tiger, Keno, Lottery Bet On Numbers (6/49), and Roulette.
Dealers With so many studios and live in-casino tables, it really is guessing game as to what kind of personality you’ll get. They are all professional, most are friendly, and some are engaging.
Software/Video/Audio While the ambiance varies from one location to the next, the software features are pretty good all around. Video and audio equipment is high-tech and streams seamlessly without issue.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages English, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Romanian, Spanish and Vietnamese.

Back to Top

NetEnt Live Casino


Information Following more than a decade of ultimate success in the online casino market, NetEnt didn’t delve into live dealer gaming until 2013. Game expansion has been slow, partly due to NetEnt’s drive to launch an esteemable mobile live casino product, which they did in 2016, but mostly because the live segment makes up a minimal portion of their overall productions.

As the bespoke provider of live gaming to several major UK operators, NetEnt has an impressive number of 7-seat blackjack tables. The company is also known for its innovative Live Beyond Live technology, delivering a live casino lobby in a virtual reality environment that is the closest thing yet to dropping online players into a real, land-based casino.
Studios St. Julian’s, Malta
Live Dealer Games Blackjack, Common Draw Blackjack, European Roulette, French Roulette, and Rocket Roulette.
Dealers NetEnt’s dealers aren’t just very well trained. They’re also a fun and lively bunch. Players can use the chat feature to communicate and won’t be disappointed with their quick-witted responses. I imagine they receive ample tips for their candor.
Software/Video/Audio NetEnt Live is the total package, with software, features, video and audio that is nothing short of exceptional.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish and Swedish (maybe more).

Back to Top

Extreme Live Gaming (Closed)


Information Extreme Live Gaming was a late-comer in this business, but it worked out perfectly for them. After launching their first product in 2013, they attracted the notice of Austria’s iGaming giant, Novomatic Group, who was looking to expand into the live casino realm. Novomatic scooped up Extreme Live Gaming in 2014 and invested heavily in the product, resulting in the rapid growth of the brand.

Extreme was, for lack of a better analogy, the adopted child of a billionaire family. No expense was spared on technological upgrades. The result was a live gaming product that surpassed most of its competitors virtually overnight. They moved their operations to a bigger, better studio in London, expanding from there into multiple land-based casinos around the world. Unfortunately, the glory was short-lived.

The prodigal adopted son fell from grace in 2018 when Novomatic grew bored with it, selling Extreme Live Gaming to RNG-casino group Pragmatic Play. The game quality diminished rapidly. Major licensees dropped the platform. Soon enough, Extreme Live Gaming vanished into the great blue yonder…
Studios CLOSED
Live Dealer Games N/A
Dealers N/A
Software/Video/Audio N/A
Compatibility N/A
Dealer Languages N/A

Back to Top

Actual Gaming Live Casino


Information Actual Gaming was the result of a 2015 restructuring of the former VueTec Ltd live casino operator. The new company took over the land-based casino live feeds, bringing the action direct from Ireland’s Expo, Fitzwilliam, and Penthouse casinos. At that time, only baccarat and roulette were available. The CEO expressed plans to expand into multiple variations of blackjack and Texas hold’em, but it never came to fruition. Shortly after the restructuring, Actual Gaming closed its virtual feeds down for good.

See Vuetec Ltd. for more information.
Studios CLOSED
Live Dealer Games N/A
Dealers N/A
Software/Video/Audio N/A
Compatibility N/A
Dealer Languages N/A

Back to Top

Authentic Gaming Live Casino


Information The baby of the live casino industry, Authentic Gaming is the newest addition, launching its first live dealer tables in 2016 from Italy’s Saint Vincent Casino. Since then, the company has expanded its in-casino live streams to more than half a dozen properties around the world. All of their tables are streamed live from actual casinos, never warehouse studios.

Authentic is one of the rare brands with authorization to deliver live casino games from US soil. The company began streaming live roulette from Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in mid-2018, making them the first operator to present live tables from an American casino to players overseas.

The only things holding Authentic Gaming back are restricted hours of operation (they’re tables only air when their land-based casino partners are open), and a very limited game variety. Live roulette is the only product they currently deal in.
Studios Aspers Casino, London, UK
Casino Bucharest at Intercontinental, Romania
Casino International, London, UK
Foxwoods Casino, Connecticut, USA
Platinum Casino, Bucharest, Romania
Royal Casino, Riga, Latvia
Saint Vincent’s Casino, St. Vincent AO, Italy
Live Dealer Games Roulette only
Dealers All of the croupiers are working in a land-based casino, interacting with physical customers. Reasonably so, they do not interact with or acknowledge the live casino players.
Software/Video/Audio Nothing exceptional, but no shortcomings either. Good quality for an in-house casino feed.
Compatibility PC, Android and iOS
Dealer Languages N/A – Croupiers do not interact with online players.

Author

  • Adalene Lucas

    is our jack of all trades here at DBC. She is a skilled coder, gambler, writer and webmaster. She lives in Manitoba where she enjoys the lush landscapes and camping near Tulabi Falls. Nature gives her inspiration to write. When she's not immersed in nature, her favorite words are "game theory". She lives with her husband and their two Labradors, Kophy and Whisper.

Jackpotcity.com  is our editorial pick for your gaming needs. Currently offering an entire suite of casino games, as well as a wide range of Canadian deposit options, JackPotCity truly offers world-class gaming.

JackpotCity.com

Thanks to the recent mobile gaming revolution, almost every online casino in the world is mobile tablet compliant. Being the most famous casino game from here to Timbuktu, you can rest assured 99.99% of all iGaming websites present their players with not just one, but a complete collection of popular blackjack variants and...
Playing for Keeps: Learn How to Play 2 Face Blackjack the Right Way The title of this game sounds deceptive, if not vindictive. I assure you, there’s nothing malevolent about it. The name cleverly refers to the fact that the dealer may have to expose his down-card, if the one that’s already showing is...
There are dozens of side bets known to the blackjack community. Below is a compilation of every sideline wager I've come across in all my years of gambling, both in land-based casinos and the more expansive online variety. Each item on the list comes with its typical name, requisites of fulfillment, payout for doing...
See Jacktpot City
[X]
See Jacktpot City
Our 2023 editorial pick for your gaming needs