Although it is less experienced than industry giants such as Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Microgaming, Pragmatic Play has already made waves in the world of interactive gambling. The company specializes in RNG-based casino games, and its portfolio is dominated by sophisticated video slots.
Its roster of licensees includes leading operators such as William Hill, 888, Betfair, LeoVegas, BetVictor, and Paddy Power, among others. Pragmatic Play stepped out of its RNG comfort zone only recently, rolling out a dedicated live casino product in mid-2019.
Its live portfolio is a bit limited at the moment, but the company will certainly expand it with new tables in the future. The software supplier currently offers about twelve live roulette, blackjack, and baccarat tables. Although the range is not very diverse, the live games are well-presented and perform seamlessly across all devices.
Pragmatic Play’s Story and Achievements
12015 Launch
Pragmatic Play entered the online gambling scene in 2015 and quickly solidified its position through hard work and a genuine commitment to quality. The company is privately held and headquartered in the Maltese resort town of Sliema, with additional offices in Gibraltar. It employs more than 80 people and reported annual revenue of $2.26 million in 2017.
2Extreme Live Gaming Acquisition
When it first launched, Pragmatic Play focused exclusively on developing and distributing RNG-based casino games, with video slots as its main priority. The company quickly realized it needed to expand its product range to keep pace with rival software providers.
This led to Pragmatic Play’s landmark acquisition of Extreme Live Gaming, a live casino solutions provider that previously belonged to the Austria-based gaming company Novomatic.
Completed in June 2018, the acquisition was a key step in the company’s commercial expansion, earning it integration deals with leading online gambling brands such as Mr Green, PlayFortuna, LeoVegas, Meridianbet, and BetVictor, among others.
Extreme Live Gaming is regarded as one of the most innovative providers of live dealer solutions and is highly valued by both players and gambling brands. At the time of the acquisition, Extreme’s platform featured around ten table games, streaming live roulette, baccarat, and blackjack from its London studio.
3Live Suite Diversification
Pragmatic Play continued to diversify its selection of live casino games in the years following Extreme Live Gaming’s acquisition. One of the latest additions to its ever-expanding live portfolio arrived in May 2020, when Auto Roulette joined Pragmatic’s live gaming suite.
The company had already launched Live Speed Baccarat and Live Baccarat a couple of months earlier, in March of the same year. At the time of writing, Pragmatic Play is authorized to distribute its services in more than twenty regulated markets worldwide, offering its games in over thirty languages.
4Other Achievements and Awards
Pragmatic Play has earned numerous accolades over the years. While most of these honors celebrate the company’s achievements in RNG-based games, this article focuses on Pragmatic Play’s live dealer offering. For that reason, we highlight the accomplishments of Extreme Live Gaming, now part of the Pragmatic family.
- Nominated for Best Live Casino Supplier at the 2017 EGR B2B Awards
- Nominated for Best Mobile Gaming Software at the 2017 EGR B2B Awards
- Nominated for Best Multi-Channel Supplier at the 2017 EGR B2B Awards
- Nominated for Best Live Dealer Overall Product at the 2018 Live Gaming Summit, held at Casino Barcelona (BetConstruct won the award)
- Shortlisted for Best In-Casino Streaming Live Dealer Provider at the 2018 Live Gaming Summit, where the award went to Evolution Gaming
Live Dealer Studio Location
Extreme Live Gaming (now branded as Pragmatic Play Live) originally targeted the live gaming markets in Asia. However, the company eventually decided to move its offices to the United Kingdom and set up its live dealer studio in the capital, London.
After the successful completion of the acquisition we discussed earlier, Pragmatic Play decided to overhaul Extreme’s live tables. The company reportedly went as far as hiring former employees of live-solution giants such as Ezugi and Evolution Gaming to assist with the overhaul.
Eventually, the company decided to move the studios from their London location to Romania’s capital, Bucharest. The revamped facility has the capacity to house around 43 live tables, although further expansion of the gaming floor is also possible.
The studio environment is sophisticated, featuring green and regal gold decorations, colors that usually evoke associations with high-stakes VIP gambling. The setting is lavish, yet very airy. As for the quality of the live stream, it is superb, as expected.
The live roulette games, in particular, use four high-end 4K cameras per table to deliver the action to players’ screens. Audio quality is just as good, allowing players to clearly hear everything the live dealers say.
Certificates and Regulation
1Overview
Pragmatic Play is a certified software provider that serves more than twenty regulated markets. The company holds licenses from some of the world’s most respected gambling regulators.
It operates in full compliance with each market’s regulatory requirements, ensuring a transparent and reliable gaming experience for its licensees’ customers. Continue reading for more details on the supplier’s permits.
2UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
After a rigorous application process, Pragmatic Play received approval from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) on April 10, 2017. The company was granted a Remote Gambling Software Operating License, a major milestone in its history given the UK regulator’s strict standards.
3Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Pragmatic Play also holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The company obtained a Class 4 MGA license in July 2019, the highest of the authority’s four permit classes, allowing the supplier to distribute its gaming products in many of Europe’s largest markets.
4Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority)
The company’s gaming content went live in the Swedish market at the beginning of January 2019, thanks to a license granted by the local regulator, Spelinspektionen (the Swedish Gambling Authority).
5Gibraltar Gambling Commission
Toward the end of November 2018, Pragmatic Play announced it had received a B2B Supplier License from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. A permit from Gibraltar carries significant weight in the online gambling industry and was an essential step in Pragmatic’s ambitious plans for further market expansion.
6Spillemyndigheden
Pragmatic Play expanded into the Danish market after receiving certification from Denmark’s regulator, Spillemyndigheden, in August 2017. The company’s gaming content became available to Danish players through the locally licensed Vera & John Casino.
7Romanian National Gambling Office
The renowned software supplier was also authorized to offer its products in Romania under a license issued by the Romanian National Gambling Office (ONJN) at the beginning of December 2016. The company entered the competitive Romanian market with a Class II gambling permit.
8Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
In addition to these licenses, Pragmatic Play holds certification from the renowned testing agency Gaming Laboratories International (GLI). This certification confirms that the company’s games meet the industry’s standards for fairness.
Key Features of Pragmatic Play’s Live Casino Platform
Pragmatic Play Live ensures a seamless experience for every fan of live casino gaming. Honestly, this is not surprising, as its live platform shares a similar interface and gameplay features with Evolution Gaming’s live software. This should not be frowned upon, though, because Pragmatic has created a faithful replica that is in no way inferior to Evolution’s offering.
Multilingual
The multilingual user interface enables live casino players to perform gameplay commands in a variety of languages, including German, Chinese, English, and Spanish. More precisely, the interface supports roughly 30 languages. The selection is configurable, and the available options depend on the live dealer casino where you register.
HTML5
Cross-compatibility is another asset of Pragmatic Play Live. The user interface is built with HTML5, giving players instant in-browser access to their favorite live tables no matter which device they use. The software works seamlessly across all widely used browsers and operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Support Chat
The platform also includes a convenient 24/7 customer support chat built directly into the user interface. Players can contact the casino’s support staff without leaving the live lobby or interrupting their sessions. Simply click the customer support icon to request assistance instantly.
4K Quality
The multi-camera stream creates a highly realistic experience that rivals land-based casinos. The studio relies on state-of-the-art 4K cameras to deliver an immersive look and feel.
Roulette games are particularly well suited to the live format. The camera zooms in to give players a close-up of the wheel so they can track the ball’s trajectory before it settles on the winning number. Players can also switch to Classic View, where the stream window is minimized and the virtual betting layout occupies half of the screen.
Special and Favorite Bets
Special and favorite bets are integrated into the user interface of all Pragmatic Play live roulette variations. In short, special bets are complex wagers favored by experienced players, such as full completes, finales a cheval, and finales en plein.
For more details, check out our guide on roulette bet types. To access the Special Bets feature, click the star-shaped icon in the lower-left corner of the interface. You can also save up to five favorite bets or combinations by selecting the heart-shaped icon.
Statistics
Statistical trend information is also available on the Pragmatic Play Live platform. Based on the results of the previous 50 to 500 spins, these stats can help players make better informed decisions about their next wagers.
The roulette statistics are organized into three sections: hot and cold numbers, last called numbers, and a chart tab. The first two are self-explanatory. The chart tab shows the percentages of winning red or black, odd or even, high or low, column, and dozen bets.
Player History Panel
The player history panel provides valuable information about your past live gaming sessions. You can easily track how much you have wagered and at which tables. The panel also lists your net cash earnings or losses.
Configurable Settings
Configurable video and sound settings are available through the Settings menu. You can switch languages or disable sound effects and audio altogether. Video streams come in high, medium, and low quality, but we recommend enabling the auto-adjust feature.
Pragmatic Play Live Blackjack
The live blackjack tables provided by Pragmatic Play follow a uniform set of rules. This consistency makes it easier for less experienced players to switch between tables without checking the Game Help menu. The cards are dealt from a shoe containing eight full decks. Dealers offer card penetration of 50% or less, so card counting is not worthwhile here.
Manual Reshuffling
Reshuffling occurs when the live dealer reaches the cut card. If this happens mid-hand, the dealer removes the cut card and lets players finish the hand before the reshuffle. The dealer warns everyone in advance that it is “the last hand of the shoe.” A separate staff member then manually reshuffles the packs at a table beside the main dealer.
Deck Change
Another important policy concerns deck changes. Old packs are removed every 24 hours. A deck change may also take place under exceptional circumstances, such as when three or more cards fall on the floor, when there is a prolonged interruption in the video stream, when the shoe contains cards with defective barcodes, or when the table reopens after an extended period of inactivity.
General House Rules and House Edge
The Pragmatic Play Live blackjack tables provide relatively favorable rules, although there is still room for improvement. American Vegas rules apply. First, professional dealers follow the S17 rule, meaning they draw to 16 and stand on all totals of 17. Hole cards are also in play.
Each table can seat up to seven players. If additional seats are available, a single player may occupy multiple betting spots. You can double down on any two-card starting hand, except after splitting a pair.
Splitting is allowed on any pair, but drawing additional cards to split aces is prohibited. Blackjacks pay the standard 3 to 2. Insurance is offered against a dealer ace at the usual odds of 2 to 1. Under this rule set, the house edge is 0.72%, giving the main game a theoretical return of 99.28%.
Blackjack Features of Interest
The blackjack tables at Pragmatic Play Live include several additional features and betting options. While most are not unique, they are still valuable for players who are new to this live dealer platform.
- Side bets are available at most live blackjack tables, particularly the popular Perfect Pairs and 21+3 wagers. Although these bets are independent of the main game’s outcome, you can place them only after making a main bet. The house edge is higher: 4.10% for Perfect Pairs and 3.70% for 21+3.
- Players can bet behind other seated patrons at full tables. You can toggle this feature in the main settings menu and wager on other players’ hands while waiting for a seat to open.
The seated player controls the hitting and standing decisions. Pragmatic Play appears to have borrowed the Winning Badge idea from Evolution Gaming, which lets you instantly spot the players with the longest winning streaks at a table. - The Early Decision option (called Pre-Decision at Evolution) allows you to make playing decisions on your hand at a full table without waiting for other players to act. This feature is available on both desktop and mobile.
- The Auto-Stand feature can speed up gameplay. When activated, the software automatically declines additional cards from the dealer if your hand total reaches or exceeds a specified value. The feature is unavailable for pairs and soft hands.
Live Dealer Blackjack by Pragmatic Play: Gameplay
Pragmatic Play Live Roulette
The Pragmatic Play Live platform offers fans of the Devil’s Wheel about six live roulette tables. Players can change the interface language from the main settings menu, although the available options vary by casino. The platform also features several native-language tables, including Roulette Germany, Roulette Russia, and Roulette Italy. Speed and Auto Roulette are available as well.
General House Rules and House Edge
Pragmatic Play’s live roulette variants follow standard European rules, featuring a single-zero wheel with 37 numbered pockets. The wheels are supplied by the respected manufacturer TCS Huxley, which provides equipment to some of the world’s largest land-based casinos.
Players have access to the full range of inside and outside wagers. A racetrack is available for roulette enthusiasts who enjoy complex combination bets such as Tiers, Orphelins, Voisins, Zero Game, and Neighbors. You can bet on up to nine neighbors, adjusting the number with the +/- buttons to the left of the racetrack.
Because these are single-zero games, the live roulette variations offer the standard theoretical return of 97.30%, giving the house an edge of 2.70%. Unlike some single-zero games streamed by Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play’s roulette suite does not include the La Partage and En Prison rules that would further reduce the house edge. Outside bets are lost in full when zero hits.
Other Features of Interest
We have already covered many key functionalities of the roulette games, but several additional features deserve a brief mention.
- The last winning numbers appear at the bottom of the main game screen. While previous results do little to predict future outcomes, this display appeals to players who track hot or cold numbers. The newest results are shown from right to left.
- Autoplay lets you automatically repost previous wagers or combinations of wagers for a selected number of spins. The feature is configurable, starting at a minimum of five auto rounds. It deactivates when your balance falls below a set amount, reaches zero, or when you earn a predetermined sum during any single round.
- The rules on valid spins are not features per se, but they are still important. A spin is considered valid only if the dealer launches the ball in the direction opposite to the spinning wheel. The ball must also complete at least three full rotations before leaving the track. If these conditions are not met, or if the ball gets stuck in a fret or jumps out of the track (a “ball out”), the dealer calls “No spin.”
- Zoom-in on the winning number is displayed at the top of the video screen so players can easily verify each result. The winning number appears alongside a list of players who predicted correctly, and it is also highlighted in animated circles on the virtual interface.
Live Dealer Roulette by Pragmatic Play: Gameplay
Pragmatic Play Live Baccarat
Live baccarat is among the newest releases on the Pragmatic Play platform. The renowned supplier launched two variations of this classic game of chance in the spring of 2020: the traditional version and Speed Baccarat.
Table Style and Feel
Much like Pragmatic’s other live products, the baccarat tables share a stylistic resemblance to those of Evolution Gaming. A side-by-side comparison makes the similarities clear. The action unfolds in an elegant studio that employs styling and color tones similar to Evolution’s baccarat tables.
The setting combines classic gold and scarlet hues. The bean-shaped tables are covered with yellow felt, and the dealers – usually female – wear red or black outfits. The games are optimized for both desktop and mobile play, with only minor interface differences between the two formats.
General Rules and House Edge
The live baccarat tables follow the traditional rules of the classic game. There is no need to memorize the complex tableau, as the expert dealers know the drawing rules for the Player and Banker hands and deal cards automatically based on each total.
You can back the standard Player, Banker, or Tie outcomes. They pay at conventional odds: 1 to 1 for Player, 0.95 to 1 for Banker, and 8 to 1 for Tie. The games are dealt from eight-deck shoes. Each outcome carries a different house edge: 1.06% for Banker, 1.24% for Player, and 14.4% for Tie.
Features to Pay Attention to
- Regular and No-Commission modes are both available at Pragmatic Play-powered live casinos. When you join a table, the game loads in Regular mode by default, but you can switch to No-Commission mode if you prefer to avoid the 0.05% fee on winning Banker wagers.
- Side bets are offered in addition to the three standard outcomes. Activate them by clicking the Super 6 button, then place separate wagers on Perfect Pair (25 to 1), Player or Banker Pair (11 to 1), Small Hand (1.5 to 1), Big Hand (0.54 to 1), or Either Pair (5 to 1).
- The Statistical trends panel shows the total amount wagered on each of the three main outcomes, along with the percentage of players backing the Banker, Player, or Tie.
- Roadmaps are extremely popular among baccarat enthusiasts, particularly those who enjoy spotting patterns. This statistical feature displays trends and result distribution during the current shoe. The game is still governed by chance, so roadmaps cannot guarantee an advantage. Nevertheless, you can use them if you like to follow streaks.