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The Rise and Rise of Live Dealer Gaming
Live Dealer games are a relatively youthful part of a relatively youthful industry. However, like iGaming itself, it hasn’t taken long for Live Dealer games to become a huge part of the gambling industry.
While the popularity has been there since the outset, recent technological advancements have given the opportunity for this game type to lift itself to a whole new level.
The History of Live Dealer Games
Since the inception of iGaming, the desire for players was to get that true to life casino experience from the comfort of their own homes.
It was, therefore, far from a surprise that the first Live Dealer games found an instant player base.
Live Blackjack and Live Roulette were the first two to appear, and while the games were limited, with one table, and a set time limit on playing time due to there usually only being one host, players loved them.
As is often the case with online casino games, it didn’t take long for evolution to take place, with the likes of Craps and Poker swiftly being added to the list.
As time went on, further developments took place, with more tables being added, more software developers creating their own Live Dealer offerings, and before long, Live Dealer games were available 24/7.
The Present of Live Dealer Games
In the eyes of many, Live Dealer games have peaked, and while there will undoubtedly be further evolutions, it’s hard to argue with that opinion.
The biggest change that has been made recently is the advancement of Live Dealer games from lifelike echoes of the real life casino experience, to games that use the online format to add extra dimensions to the gameplay.
Live Dealer games these days often offer intricacies and complexities that would not be possible in a brick and mortar casino.
As always, one of the biggest factors in the development of Live Dealer games being so swift, is competition, with several software developers battling it out for supremacy in this lucrative field.
NetEnt
NetEnt have historically been one of the first developers to step into a new section of the industry, but they were a little late to the party with Live Dealer games, launching their suite in late 2013.
Highlights of the NetEnt portfolio of Live Dealer options include multiple language options with dealers from around the world, and unlimited player Blackjack.
While there is less variation than from some other developers, NetEnt’s Live Dealer games often have a higher RTP than competitors.
Ezugi
Ezugi were a late entry too, but their focus on Live Dealer games has ensured a strong reputation has quickly developed.
Ezugi’s collection is headed up by a collection of innovative titles, they are one of very few developers to offer Live Keno, and have their own unique titles such as Wheel of Dice.
Playtech
Like NetEnt, Playtech is a developer that has made its name through other game types, primarily slots, before stepping foot in the Live Dealer world.
The fact that Live Dealers are not the sole, or indeed main focus for Playtech means they stand behind the big guns in this area of iGaming, but there is still a lot on offer here.
Games out of the Playtech studio in Latvia are available all across Europe and include all the classic games, as well as Unlimited Blackjack and a Dual Roulette game which allows for playing at two table at one time.
Evolution Gaming
While there are many pretenders to the throne, there can only be one King of Live Dealer games, and in the eyes of most, the crown rests firmly on the head of Evolution Gaming.
From Dual Play Roulette, which allows an unlimited number of online players to join a roulette game in a brick and mortar casino, to unique, branded titles such as Deal or No Deal Live and Monopoly Live Wheel, to the likes of Lightning Roulette and Lightning Dice, which bring unique gameplay aspects to Evolution’s games, it’s clear to see why this developer holds the top spot.
Evolution Gaming powered live dealer games are available at more than 100 online casinos and they hold a local license in almost all regulated casino markets. This includes the regulated USA states, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland and many more.
The Future of Live Dealer Games
As stated above, many believe Live Dealer games to have peaked, but as the popularity of this form of gambling keeps increasing, and technological advancement allow for further additions and progressions, we can expect more changes to come.
What these changes will be is anyone’s guess, but we can safely assume there will be more unique Live Dealer games, as well as further exciting tweaks on classic titles in the near future.
The Benefit of Live Dealer Games
While there are obvious advantages to Live Dealer games in terms of the excitement offered by the unique game types, there is a larger advantage for many players, and that is peace of mind.
For many players, even knowing a Random Number Generator (RNG) is exactly what it described, there are still concerns about how random these generators actually are.
It should be stated that these RNGs undergo strict scrutiny from regulators to ensure they are random, but to many, nothing ensures security in the random nature of a game like seeing a right in front of you.
This is where the benefit of Live Dealer games comes in, offering the same surety that one would get in a land based casino, but without the need to dress up smart and actually leave one’s house in order to play them.
With this added sense of comfort, the constantly evolving game types, the excellent designs and themes that the games have, and the ability to play them from home, and time of day or night, it is pretty much a guarantee that the popularity of Live Dealer games will not only maintain, but continue to increase over time.
News
LEONBET and Simon Msuva Continue the Journey with a Nationwide Media Tour Following The Msuva Story
Following the release of The Msuva Story documentary, LEONBET and its brand ambassador, Simon Msuva, are continuing the campaign with a nationwide media tour to share the footballer’s inspiring journey and encourage young Tanzanians to pursue their dreams with determination and confidence.
The media tour saw Msuva visit leading radio stations across Tanzania, where he discussed his football journey, the challenges he overcame, and the message behind the documentary. Through these conversations, LEONBET and Msuva encouraged young Tanzanians to believe in their ambitions, work hard, and never give up on their dreams.
The documentary chronicles Msuva’s rise from a young football enthusiast to one of Tanzania’s most recognisable professional players, highlighting the determination, discipline, and resilience that shaped his career.
“As someone who started with a dream, I want young people to know that every challenge can become an opportunity if you keep believing in yourself,” said Simon Msuva. “I hope my story inspires the next generation to pursue their goals with confidence and determination.”
As part of the campaign, LEONBET and Msuva also hosted a special community football event featuring local teams Taifa King (Temeke) and Wekewa FC (Kinondoni). Held at Mwembe Yanga Grounds, the friendly match brought together football, entertainment, and community engagement, with Simon Msuva attending as the guest of honour and meeting young fans throughout the day.
The initiative reflects LEONBET’s ongoing commitment to supporting sports development and creating opportunities that inspire young talent across Tanzania. Beyond sponsoring professional athletes and sporting initiatives, the company continues to invest in projects that strengthen local communities and promote positive role models.
Through The Msuva Story and the accompanying media tour, LEONBET and Simon Msuva hope to remind young Tanzanians of one simple message:
“Every dream is possible if you believe.”
Affiliate Success
ReferOn Wins “Best Affiliate Management Platform” at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026
ReferOn has been named the Best Affiliate Management Platform at the prestigious iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, marking another major milestone in the company’s growth. Announced live at iGB LIVE, the recognition follows a year of relentless product innovation, customer growth, and a continued focus on simplifying affiliate operations.
Turning Complexity into Clarity
Managing high-volume affiliate programs requires processing millions of data points every day. ReferOn was built to eliminate that complexity through automation, real-time insights, and streamlined workflows.
This year also marked the introduction of Refie, ReferOn’s integrated UX layer. Instead of forcing affiliate managers to navigate complex backend data, Refie turns raw operational data into clear, actionable insights. From onboarding to daily performance tracking, it helps teams spend less time on administration and more time driving strategic growth.
Alex Bukin, CEO of ReferOn, commented: “Winning the iGB Affiliate Award is a remarkable achievement for our entire team. As affiliate programs grow, so does the complexity behind them. From day one, our ambition has been to remove that complexity, so operators can focus on growth instead of operational friction. This recognition reinforces our belief that great B2B technology should be simpler, more intuitive, easier to work with, and built around the people who use it”.
Having secured major industry awards over the past 18 months, — including ‘Affiliate System of the Year’ at AffPapa and ‘Best Affiliate Software’ at SiGMA — ReferOn looks ahead with a roadmap that remains focused on making affiliate management even more intelligent, transparent, and effortless. Our upcoming developments will continue to simplify complex workflows, expand AI-powered assistance, and provide operators with even greater visibility and control over their affiliate operations.
Affiliate Success
Kongebonus becomes first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at iGB Affiliate Awards 2026
Kongebonus has become the first Norwegian affiliate to win Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards 2026, a landmark recognition that names the independent Norwegian guide as the world’s leading casino affiliate for 2026.
The award was presented on 2 July during iGB L!VE London, where the iGB Affiliate Awards celebrated the affiliates, programmes, networks, suppliers and individuals helping to drive the iGaming sector forward.
iGB Affiliate described first-time contestant Kongebonus as a “Norwegian local hero”, noting that the platform claimed the award in a close race and ended Gambling.com Group’s two-year reign in the highly competitive category. Independent judges praised Kongebonus’ “super smart” approach, highlighting its combination of innovation, engaged player community, and strong editorial presence across Google News and the media.
The recognition reflects Kongebonus’ focus on detailed operator testing, transparent casino reviews, community-led content and player protection. The platform tests casinos with its own money before reviewing them, publishes its full methodology and continues to invest in responsible gambling resources, including practical guidance and support signposting for players.
David Nilsen, Editor-in-Chief at Kongebonus, said: “Winning Best Casino Affiliate at the iGB Affiliate Awards is a huge moment for Kongebonus and for everyone who has helped build the platform. To be recognised in a category alongside some of the biggest and most respected names in the affiliate industry is something we are incredibly proud of.
“I’ve spent more than ten years on the inside of this industry, and I’ve seen how big the gap can be between what a casino promises and what the player is actually left with. Closing that gap is the whole reason we test the way we do.
“What this award tells us is that being the most trusted guide matters more than being the biggest one, and that’s the only thing we’ve ever set out to build.”
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