Classic vs virtual table games - the changing landscape of games of chance

When you think of traditional table games like roulette and blackjack, pop culture has embedded into our mind’s eye the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas or Monte-Carlo. We conjure up images of James Bond, dazzling in his attire and charm, for example.

For a long time, physical bricks and mortar establishments were the only way to (legally) enjoy games of chance. For gamblers, it served as a refuge, an opportunity, and fun all rolled into one. Of course, actually getting to a casino isn’t always straightforward for most people.

Hit fast-forward to 2023, however, and table games are now available at the palm of your hand, on your smartphone. You don’t need a membership to a land-based casino, and the tuxedo is very much optional.

The rise of online casinos

The concept of online gambling has existed for a long time, and the big name casinos have had an internet presence for over a decade. But it’s only in recent years that online casinos have become serious competition for land-based equivalents. Some would say that they’re an existential threat to the traditional way we gamble.

Back in the day, online casinos were conceptually interesting, but failed in execution. Game developers did not have the maturity of AAA video game studios, nor did companies put in the requisite investment to create a quality gaming experience.

But the real problem was internet speeds and the limits of technology. Instead of the jazzy games of Las Vegas, gamblers got a pixelated mess that merely resembled the ‘real thing’. It was a poor man’s experience, and then some.

These days, options are so numerous that it often leads to analysis paralysis. Punters need websites like paygamble.com, which collate and review casinos, just to figure out which of the many online operators are worth considering.

Now, you can play blackjack and roulette, as well as a multitude of other table games, in a format that’s not just recognizable to the veteran gambler,  but in many ways superior.

Why people prefer virtual

The main thing is that you can have a very similar gambling experience without having to enter a physical establishment. There’s a reason why land-based casinos have introduced a bunch of virtual options, in addition to the traditional tables (well, several reasons, actually).

First, it’s a fun alternative. There’s nothing wrong with old-school table games, not at all, but sometimes it’s just easier, faster, and more entertaining to play alone and without having to wait for all the extras. You can play a round of blackjack in a fraction of the time it takes to go through a real-life table.

Also, there are lots more options. It puts control in the hands of the player. Virtual lets casinos have several versions of the game all housed within one single seat, instead of having to introduce new physical tables.

Also, the bet sizes can vary by quite a bit. Traditional tables tend to be higher bet minimums, which prices out a lot of people and limits casino revenue. Virtual alternatives, however, let the players have more control.

Live dealer games

This recent development is considered by many to be the ‘casino killer’. Traditional detractors of online gambling would generally cite the following as the argument to end all arguments: virtual casinos are nothing without the personal connection of a dealer and fellow players.  

Well, guess what, online casinos have ‘fixed’ that issue. Live online gambling is now a thing, and a lot of people now see it as their go-to casino option.

Essentially, you’re getting the live experience right from your device. It’s like connecting to a work Zoom meeting, except this is, well, fun. The dealer is on a live video link, with the players usually joining in a text-based setup.

You have the same banter and jokes with the dealer, and players can also chat with each other. You get that same community feeling, the socialising, but without having to leave your house. It’s a best-of-both-worlds type of thing.

What’s next?

Technology is ramping up like never before, and it’s reinventing how we gamble. Virtual reality (VR) has already been introduced, with online casinos putting in sizable investments to make VR a viable gaming option in the next few years.

But there’s more. Just look at what’s going on with artificial intelligence (AI) in the last 12 months alone. It’s transforming everything from science to content creation.

Expect AI to have a forming role in how gaming is done in the next decade. For example, we’re going to see personalised experiences, with AI-driven content created on the fly based on our specific preferences.

This is already happening right now, but we’re still in the early stages. We have plenty to look forward to.