iGaming, the general term for online betting on casino games and sports, is a global industry that generates billions in revenue and grows at a compound annual rate of more than 11 percent.
It is an activity that is enjoyed by thousands in Brazil, despite the absence of any legalized iGaming framework.
This pattern has already been observed in the USA, where many states are taking the pragmatic approach of legislative reform instead of futile attempts to stem the tide.
That’s something that looks increasingly likely to be replicated in Brazil after Lula De Silva is inaugurated.
When he formally takes up the reins again, he will see some dramatic changes that have taken place in the iGaming landscape since his last presidential term ended in 2010.
One of the most significant has been the arrival of live gaming, which has won the hearts of traditionalists who might otherwise steer clear of internet-based casino gaming.
THE RISE OF LIVE CASINO GAMES
Live casinos connect players to a game like roulette or blackjack via a webcam. There is a real dealer in a studio, dealing with a physical deck of cards or spinning a roulette wheel in real time.
Live dealer games first started to appear on the scene during Lula’s previous term in the 2000s, but back then, they were seen as a gimmicky novelty that would probably be gone and forgotten in short order.
However, a combination of factors influenced things in a different direction.
Better connectivity advances in mobile technology, and, not least, a certain global event in 2020 that forced the temporary closure of land-based casinos and even brought Las Vegas to a halt meant that live dealer games surged in popularity at gambling sites across the USA, Brazil, and the entire world.
AND INCREASING CHOICE OF GAMES
Blackjack and roulette remain the most popular live dealer casino games. However, they have also been joined by a host of other casino classics, plus some completely new games that have been developed especially for this casino gaming format.
The classic games include baccarat, three-card poker, craps, and others.
Many new games are based on traditional games but have a modern twist. For example, Football Studio and Dragon Tiger are simplified versions of baccarat.
Yet others are inspired by TV game shows. Dreamcatcher is a live casino version of the US classic Wheel of Fortune, while Deal or No Deal is based on the Dutch game show that became a worldwide hit and that ran from 2006 to 2020 in Brazil.
ADVANTAGES OF LIVE DEALER GAMES
The primary advantage of live dealer games is that it provides a more immersive and interactive experience than staring at the outputs of a random number generator. Live casino has the drama and theatre of the real thing.
It has also proved popular with traditionalists who do not trust the technology behind automated games.
Live gaming also makes sense from a player’s perspective. Each game inevitably takes longer when a real dealer is involved, which can only benefit player bankrolls.