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Michigan bettors had their most important question from last year answered on Friday with the statewide launch of online gambling. However, there are still lingering questions about what lies ahead in 2021. One crucial query remains: when can we expect live dealer games to become available at Michigan online casinos?
Last week, Michigan introduced a total of eight online casinos offering an array of games including slots, video poker, blackjack, and baccarat. Additionally, there are plans to launch seven more online casinos in the upcoming weeks or months.
However, the highly sought-after live dealer games, which are a favorite among online casino enthusiasts, were not introduced in Michigan. Let’s take a look at the current situation and how it could potentially revolutionize the online casino industry.
When will live dealer games launch in Michigan?
On Tuesday, NetEnt, a subsidiary of the Evolution Group, revealed its plans for opening a live casino broadcast studio in Michigan later this year.
Adding to the equation, the studio will mark the company’s third establishment in the United States, alongside New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and its eleventh globally.
Evolution has submitted an application for a supplier license to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, however, their approval is still pending. Similar to the sportsbooks and casinos, Evolution is eagerly awaiting the final authorization before commencing its operations.
Evolution is set to launch with live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat initially, and plans to introduce more games in the future.
Evolution has partnered with BetMGM, FanDuel, PointsBet, William Hill, and WynnBET to provide live dealer casino services, and there is potential for additional collaborations in the future. Currently, Evolution holds a prominent position in the market, enjoying a virtual monopoly. However, it is possible that Playtech may enter the competition at some point.
Pennsylvania live dealer launch took 15 months
Pennsylvania is the latest state to launch live dealer games, according to the most recent comparison.
Online casinos were introduced in Pennsylvania in July 2019; however, live dealer games were not accessible until October 2020, when BetRivers, DraftKings, and Hollywood Casino incorporated them into their platforms.
However, Michigan has some advantages in this regard.
The launch of online casinos in PA raised concerns about server locations and their compliance with the Wire Act, impeding the growth of the industry. Initially, Pennsylvania online casinos contemplated utilizing servers from neighboring New Jersey, where live dealer games have been operational since 2016. However, this approach turned out to be unfeasible in the end.
Despite these concerns, the launch of online casinos in Michigan has been strong. A prime example is BetMGM Casino, which had over 150 online games readily available on its launch day last week.
Katie Kohler, a gaming industry reporter for PlayPennsylvania, noted that when Pennsylvania introduced its initial online casinos in the summer of 2019, the available library of games was considerably smaller in comparison to neighboring New Jersey.
“Furthermore, the players expressed great enthusiasm for the introduction of live dealer games, although it took more than a year for them to become available. Hopefully, Michigan won’t have to endure the same lengthy wait that we did here in PA for this highly sought-after feature.”
According to the internet gaming administrative rules in Michigan, servers must be located within the state unless granted approval for an alternative arrangement.
Live dealer expected to boost online casino growth
New Jersey holds the record for having live dealer studios for the longest duration.
In 2016, Golden Nugget online casino in NJ introduced its inaugural live dealer games, which were a novelty for the United States. To accomplish this feat, Ezugi Games, currently assimilated into Evolution, established a studio at Golden Nugget Casino in Atlantic City. Taking this costly gamble ultimately yielded multiple successes.
Initially, GN casino stood alone as the sole platform providing this service. However, in due course, its online associate, Betfair, also seized the opportunity to join the live casino trend.
The introduction of a live casino into the apps had a significant impact on Golden Nugget’s financial performance. In August 2016, when the live dealer feature was launched, Golden Nugget and its online partners generated $3.5 million in revenue. Within a year, the revenue increased to $5 million. By 2018, Golden Nugget surpassed its closest competitor by earning $10 million in revenue, more than twice the amount.
In 2018, Thomas Winter, the online gaming head at Golden Nugget, informed PlayNJ that the expansion can be partly credited to the presence of live dealer games.
The advantages of providing live dealer services far outweighed the additional expenses. As we expand with various brands, the costs are decreasing. Although it is still more costly than offering electronic games, we are approaching reasonable levels that will prompt more operators to reevaluate their strategy. We have witnessed a noticeable shift in perception in recent months.
Soon after, other apps from New Jersey also introduced live dealer games, thus creating fair competition. It is highly likely that the inclusion of these games will have a similar effect on online casinos in Michigan.
What are live dealer online casino games anyway?
After their long journey, players will eventually reach the state and notice a fresh tab appearing on the app or the casino website. This sight may pique their curiosity, but live dealer games are exactly what they imply – live games accessible online. Typically, these games encompass a variety of table games such as:
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Three-card poker
In addition to traditional games, there are also more distinctive options like Monopoly Live and Deal or No Deal Live (pending approval). Regardless of your location in Michigan, you can enjoy these games from the comfort of your own home and almost replicate the casino experience.
In a studio, there is a live dealer who is available for interaction. Similarly to a casino floor, you can engage with other players as well.
The expectation for live dealer games in Michigan is expected to continue growing throughout 2021.
