Las Vegas Casino Ends Live Dealer Tables As Online Casinos Expand Product

The gambling industry is one that is constantly looking to evolve.

Each generation brings in new interests and lifestyle changes that casinos want to embrace.

Currently, one of those trends is the increasing presence of digital innovations into everyday activities. When it comes to casinos, that means more players becoming comfortable with a digital dealer as opposed to a live dealer.

Las Vegas has begun to take notice, with some of the casino properties on the strip limiting the amount of available live dealer tables, swapping them out with an electronic version.

Could this move ultimately have an impact on online casinos? Does it lessen the in-person casino experience for those that prefer interacting with another human and not a machine?

Golden Gate Ends Live Dealer Tables

Electronic table games have been growing in presence around the Las Vegas Strip over the years. What originally started as a small feature offering, casinos are starting to make a shift toward more of these options while doing away with some of their live dealer tables.

In September, Golden Gate casino announced it was going to eliminate all live dealer table games, opting to run a fully electronic casino floor.

Casino operators cite the changing behavior of the customers as a reason, along with the current labor struggles and challenges of operating a casino floor in an increasingly digital lifestyle.

Derek Stevens, CEO and co-owner of Golden Gate casino in Las Vegas, spoke to David Danzis of the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the casino’s recent decision.

“The reality is customers are changing. Younger customers want to play slots a lot more than they used to … and people love these electronic games, and it’s becoming more and more clear.”

Stevens, who also has ownership in Circa and the D Las Vegas, added that today’s players are “more accepting of technology.”

Will More Casinos Do Away with Live Dealer

The move by Golden Gate could be something more retail casinos look to do. Stevens alone has two other properties that could pursue this action.

Other casinos have opted to limit their live dealer options to higher rates while leaving digital options for lower minimums, like $5. Stevens even noted that live dealer options could become more of a “high-end luxury thing,” in the article.

In today’s generation, younger players may feel more intimidated to approach a live table without fully knowing the rules of the game. Being able to play a digital version provides a solution to those concerns.

Danzis spoke with Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism. She noted:

“Learning to play live table games can be intimidating, especially on complicated games like craps, or on games like blackjack where each player’s decision can impact the outcome of other bets on the table. Electronic table games provide a way to learn the rules at the player’s own pace, without the added pressure of other customers.”

Live dealer options are not likely to disappear entirely, but this growing trend isn’t likely to stop either. Bokunewicz told Danzis that retail casinos are going to continue to adapt to current lifestyle trends.

“While it is unlikely live table games will ever vanish completely from casino floors, they may evolve into new forms — adapting to meet the interests of future generations of players while preserving the excitement and glamour that culturally we associate with being present in a casino.”

Can Online Casinos Benefit from Live Dealer Trend

While live dealer options may be starting to trend downward at retail casinos, the opposite is happening with online casinos.

Live dealer options continue to grow, with more games being added regularly.

Each online operator is making it a priority to bolster their live dealer offerings. Currently, you can find live dealer games for the following games:

• Baccarat
• Blackjack
• Buffalo Blitz
• Coin Flip
• Craps
• Crazy Time
• Game Shows
• Roulette
• Super Sic Bo
• Three Card Poker
• Top Card
• Ultimate Texas Hold’Em

For people looking to play their favorite game with a real person dealing the cards, the decline of live dealer at retail casinos could push players to online casinos.

Most online operators are not only expanding their live dealer options, but heavily push and feature the games on their homepage. It brings the casino experience to people at home, right from their phones or computers.

With online casino revenue continuing to rise at large rates, capitalizing on this live dealer trend could push even more casino revenue to the online platform.