iGaming Business magazine Live Dealer Focus 2018 | Page 3

Live Dealer Focus
2018
TIPPING
POINT
FOR LIVE DEALER GAMES
Visual technology and social media have transformed the live dealer
offer, with big implications for betting strategies and player interaction,
writes Sunny Wong
After years of gradual development, live dealer
gaming has entered a mature stage with its core
technologies and management models. Gamblers
were initially sceptical of the format but have
grown to believe in this fast and convenient gaming
entertainment. Over the past two or three years,
live dealer gaming in Asia has also seen a
tremendous increase in blow-outs.
It is worth noting that the growth of live dealer
gaming in recent years has not been entirely driven
by technological innovation. Instead, it has been
indirectly driven by changes in the concept of
gamblers and improvements in network co¬verage.
The popularity of smartphones is the most
direct driving force in the rapid development of
live dealer games in recent years. According to Pew
Research Center, although the global growth rate of
smartphone penetration in the first quarter of 2017
was merely steady, the penetration rate in many parts
of East and Southeast Asia is increasing rapidly.
In South Korea and Taiwan, which rank fourth
and fifth, the penetration rate is about 70%, while in
Malaysia, ranked 20th, it reaches 64%. In China and
Japan, which rank 26th and 27th, more than half of
the population uses smartphones. Convenient mobile
devices are attracting this huge group.
Innovative live dealer games technology
in 2018
1. 
The combination of virtual environment
and human interaction. Chroma Key
technology is mature and used in movies
and news productions on a large scale.
Its appearance in games has grown in
recent years, giving players a sense of input
and the freshness that comes with different
virtual backgrounds. The live dealer category
has made a breakthrough. In addition to
betting with a single background, players
can freely switch between different
backgrounds. The live-action platform
also uses the most popular virtual
backgrounds, dealer costumes and body
movements based on the player’s intention
to vote. This will integrate the interaction
between live dealers, the virtual visual
environment, platforms and players,
allowing gamblers to communicate on
the entertainment platform in a double
single form. At the same time, the dealer’s
professionalism will be greatly enhanced.
Gamblers will also spend more on non-
gaming items, such as ‘tips’ and ‘dresses’.
Sunny Wong is senior manager
of product development at n2-LIVE.
Having worked in live dealer games
for more than 15 years, he has
a deep knowledge relating to
betting and gaming in Asia,
particular in live gaming products.
iGamingBusiness | Issue 110 | May/June 2018
34