Playtech is a veteran in the interactive gambling industry, boasting a rich catalog of high-end gaming products. When the company started out, it initially focused on developing and providing RNG-based titles, including innovative video slots, table games, bingo, and video poker.
Innovation has always been a major driver of Playtech’s indisputable success. It is therefore unsurprising that the company popularized the live format and presented online players with an enhanced gaming experience that replicates the distinctive ambiance of brick-and-mortar casinos.
The Isle of Man-based supplier was among the first companies to launch a live dealer platform in 2003. Playtech has since continued to expand its live catalog and now boasts one of the most diverse selections of live dealer tables.
Players at Playtech-powered casinos can enjoy a variety of live blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and dice games. The company’s roster of licensees includes many notable brands, such as Betfair, Ladbrokes, Mansion, bet365, and William Hill. Let’s continue with an overview of the software veteran’s background and accomplishments.
Playtech Live Dealer Studio Locations
Playtech has an international presence, but its live casino products primarily cater to the European and Asian markets. The supplier operates live dealer games from dedicated studios in Estonia, Belgium, the Philippines, Spain, and Romania. In addition, it maintains registered offices and business centers in several countries, including Gibraltar, the UK, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Israel, and Estonia.
The Flagship Studio in Riga, Estonia
Asian Live Dealer Facility in Manila, the Philippines
Playtech’s Live Dealer Facility in Belgium
Playtech’s Bucharest Studio
Live Streams from Spain
The Flagship Studio in Riga, Estonia
In 2017, Playtech raised the bar by introducing its dedicated live dealer facility in the heart of the Estonian capital, Riga. The next-generation studio is staffed by expertly trained dealers who are available year-round, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The impressive venue occupies 8,500 square meters of floor space.
Beyond the gaming area, the building houses Playtech’s Mission Control Center, a feedback room for staff, a training center for newly recruited dealers, a research and development laboratory, and an innovation room. The training center is particularly noteworthy, as it spans several classrooms that provide recruits with state-of-the-art teaching equipment.
Another highlight of the Riga facility is the largest video wall in the online gambling industry. The LED wall is 25 meters wide and curves to cover the entire back wall of the gaming floor. This technology enables Playtech’s licensees to customize the backdrop visuals to suit their brand and product range.
More than 500 professionally trained dealers work in Playtech’s flagship studio. They are fluent in multiple languages to cater to players from global markets and operate in shifts under the supervision of shift managers and pit bosses.
Each shift starts with a brief meeting, after which the dealers’ appearance is adjusted to meet the highest standards. A trained dealer works the tables for up to an hour and a half, spending 30 minutes at each table. This is followed by a 30-minute break and another briefing before the next shift.
Security is a top priority. Everyone who enters the facility undergoes a thorough check by guards and administrators. No electronic devices, including smartphones, are permitted in operational areas. More than 350 closed-circuit television cameras are installed throughout the building to ensure maximum security.
Asian Live Dealer Facility in Manila, the Philippines
Playtech serves Asian players through a dedicated studio in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, specifically in Makati City, part of the greater metropolis. The studio operates under the approval of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
All live tables are staffed exclusively by Asian dealers who conduct the games in local languages. Several years ago, the studio underwent a major overhaul to create a fresher, more sophisticated atmosphere.
The facility streams various live games, including Sic Bo, European, French, and American Roulette, as well as Soiree Baccarat. Gameplay unfolds in two elegantly designed environments, Emperor and Sapphire.
Playtech’s Live Dealer Facility in Belgium
Playtech also streams classic casino games from a dedicated studio in Belgium. A deal with the renowned operator GVC Holdings enabled the company to enter the Belgian and Greek markets with the approval of local regulators.
As always, Playtech delivers a superior live casino experience by using high-end equipment and the latest technology. The tables in the Belgium-based facility are manned by professional French-speaking dealers. The only drawback is the limited selection, as the studio currently hosts live French roulette tables only.
Playtech’s Bucharest Studio
In mid-January 2017, the software developer unveiled a brand-new studio in Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Its goal was to meet the growing demand for quality online gambling in this emerging market.
Tables in the high-end studio are once again overseen by native-speaking personnel. The facility offers a solid range of casino favorites, including live roulette, live 21, and live casino hold’em. Playtech employs top-tier streaming equipment and technology to deliver the action to players on both mobile and desktop.
Naturally, the facility operates in full compliance with local regulations. The services run under Playtech’s license from Oficiul Național pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN), Romania’s National Gambling Office.
Live Streams from Spain
The software developer struck a lucrative partnership with one of Spain’s largest land-based casinos, Casino Gran Madrid. Notably, the venue welcomed over half a million visitors each year between 1997 and 2002, according to data from the national gambling regulator.
The agreement allowed Playtech to stream its live dealer offering to the Spanish market. Players enjoy a direct view of the live tables at Casino Gran Madrid, as the action is broadcast from within the venue in real time. In effect, online participants play “side by side” with on-site patrons.
This setup aligns with rules introduced by Spain’s regulator, which require live dealer games to be broadcast from land-based casinos within the country. The Spanish studio features live roulette tables staffed by well-trained native-speaking dealers who work around the clock. Both private and shared tables are available.
Playtech Markets and Regulatory Compliance
It is only natural for a gaming developer of Playtech’s stature to show full commitment to the best possible business practices. The company complies fully with the security, integrity, and responsible gambling policies of some of the world’s strictest gambling regulators.
Responsible Gambling Commitment
Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
Playtech’s Regulatory Authorization
Responsible Gambling Commitment
An interesting fact about Playtech is its 2017 acquisition of the sophisticated analytics platform BetBuddy. The platform uses data mining, predictive modeling, and other advanced methods to assess players’ behavior and identify those at risk. As a result, Playtech-powered live casinos can better support customers who wish to gamble responsibly.
Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
In addition to observing responsible gambling policies in every market where it operates, Playtech exercises strict due diligence to prevent fraud, money laundering, and corruption.
Playtech’s commitment to integrity is evident in its partnership with the Gambling Anti-Money Laundering Group (GAMLG), founded in December 2016 to combat money laundering within the gambling industry.
Security, data protection, and privacy are central to Playtech’s global operations. The Isle of Man-based company holds authorizations to operate legally in several of the industry’s largest markets, including the UK, Asia, and the EU.
Playtech’s Regulatory Authorization
At the time of writing, Playtech maintains a strong presence in 20 regulated jurisdictions, offices in 19 countries, and more than 140 licensees worldwide. Its permits cover the following regulated markets:
- A Critical Gaming Supply Corporate License issued in December 2018 by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
- A license from Romania’s National Gambling Office (ONJN), obtained soon after the country embraced regulated online gambling in early 2017. Playtech holds four types of permits, including hosting services, casino software, and live dealer games.
- Playtech has also successfully entered one of the world’s most developed and tightly regulated markets, Great Britain. The supplier offers its live casino solutions to British licensees and players under a permit from the UK Gambling Commission. The company has strengthened its presence in the UK with several registered offices. The flagship location is in central London.However, Playtech also operates offices in Manchester, Ipswich, and Lichfield. Ipswich is home to Gaming Technology Solutions, acquired by Playtech in the winter of 2009. Another office is located in the coastal town of Dundee, Scotland.
- In summer 2017, Playtech expanded its European footprint by opening a new office and relocating key operational staff to Gibraltar. The company holds a remote gaming B2B license from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission.
- Playtech has been accredited to offer its services in the Philippines by the Offshore Gaming Licensing Department of PAGCOR (the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).
- The software studio entered Italy’s regulated market under the oversight of the local regulator, Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (AAMS). In the spring of 2018, the Isle of Man-based company completed one of the gaming industry’s largest acquisitions when it purchased the Italian gambling operator Snaitech. Playtech paid more than $1 billion to buy 70.6% of the Milan-based operator and later acquired the remaining 29.4% after the deal was finalized.
Features of Interest in Playtech’s Live Casino Platform
Playtech has created a feature-rich platform yet continues to enhance its live dealer software. New games and features are constantly added to the live dealer suite. Below are some of the features we find most useful.
- Dealer tips are available across all Playtech live tables. The button for this function is in the upper right corner of the gaming interface. Simply adjust the desired tip amount with the +/- buttons.
- The built-in chat lets you communicate with the dealers and other players. It is located directly under the Dealer Tip button. Click the + button to expand the chat and read other players’ comments.
- Game settings are accessible through the main menu in the upper left corner of the interface. This feature lets you show or hide the list of winners that runs across the screen after each round or hand. Additional options are also available but vary by game. For instance, in live casino poker you can toggle the blind raise on or off.
- Video and audio settings are adjustable and can be accessed from the game settings or the main settings. Use the slider to change the video-stream quality from low to high. You can also mute the game and casino sounds if you find them distracting.
- The autoplay feature is available at Playtech’s live roulette tables. You must place a wager before activating it. Autoplay lets you play 10 to 99 spins without posting chips after each round. Players can also set loss and single-win limits for their autoplay sessions.
- Charts and statistics are available across all Playtech live games, but the data is game specific. Roulette players can view detailed information about hot and cold numbers, displayed as percentages or graphically on a wheel. Baccarat players benefit from scorecards such as the Big Road, Small Road, Bead, Big Eye, and Cockroach Road.
- Game results give you a snapshot of your betting history for the current day. The feature shows your starting and ending balances, total wagered amount, and total winnings.
- The My Bets function lets you save your favorite wagers or bet combinations and place them with just a few clicks.
- The Bet Creator is a bespoke feature exclusive to Playtech’s platform. This newly added tool allows roulette players to create custom wagers and place them at any time without time restrictions.
- Lucky Dip is another unique feature of Playtech’s platform. It is supported at most live roulette tables, but the casino operator must enable it before players can use it. The feature allows you to place straight-up bets on several random numbers.
Live Roulette Games
Playtech’s live platform caters to roulette enthusiasts with a selection of single-zero and double-zero tables. The three main versions of the classic game (French, American, and European) are all available.
The French tables implement the La Partage rule, so you lose only half of your outside wagers when zero hits. These games use the standard paytable, with a maximum payout of 35 to 1 for winning straight-up bets. Players can further diversify their action with complex call bets such as Neighbors, Zero Game, Tiers, Orphelins, and Voisins.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Roulette Tables
Betting Window and Spin Now Feature
Extra Large Payouts and Progressive Jackpots
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Roulette Tables
- Spread Bet Roulette
- Quantum Roulette
- Live Football Roulette
- Age of the Gods Roulette
- Slingshot Roulette
- Speed Roulette
- Diamond French Roulette
Betting Window and Spin Now Feature
Because the live roulette tables can accommodate an unlimited number of players, the betting window between rounds is quite short, usually no more than 14 seconds. You can further accelerate the game with the Spin Now feature, which becomes available when fewer players are seated. Simply request that the dealer close the betting round early once you have placed your wagers.
Extra Large Payouts and Progressive Jackpots
Players seeking a fresh experience should try Spread Bet Roulette or Age of the Gods Roulette. Spread Bet Roulette introduces an extra golden wheel and an optional side bet that lets you win up to 400 times your stake. Age of the Gods Live Roulette is connected to the same progressive jackpot network as the Playtech slots in the eponymous series.
Live Dealer Roulette by Playtech Gameplay
Live Blackjack Games
Playtech’s blackjack variants follow uniform rules, and most tables support up to seven seats. That said, you can also find tables with no limit on the number of players who can join the live action at once. Quantum Blackjack and Live All Bets Blackjack are prime examples.
Playtech’s live blackjack dealers always draw to 16 and stand on 17. Blackjacks pay the standard 3 to 2, while Insurance pays 2 to 1. You may double down on any starting total, including after a split.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Blackjack Tables
Shuffling Procedure and Card Burning
Card Dealing Style
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Blackjack Tables
- All Bets Blackjack
- Quantum Blackjack
- Royal Blackjack
- Grand Blackjack
Shuffling Procedure and Card Burning
Live blackjack variations use eight full decks. The cards are pre-shuffled either manually by a dealer or by automatic shuffling machines and dealt from a shoe. When a new shoe is introduced, the dealer burns a card, meaning they draw the first card face up, then remove the same number of cards face down according to that card’s numerical value.
Card Dealing Style
Dealing styles vary between tables. Some live games follow European rules, where the dealer receives only one card initially, while others use the American format with hole cards. At certain tables you can place bets in multiple betting boxes during the same round. You can also aim for higher payouts with side bets such as Top 3, Perfect Pairs, 21+3, Buster, and Lucky Lucky. The main game typically offers an RTP of 99.46%.
Live Dealer Blackjack by Playtech Gameplay
Live Baccarat Games
Playtech offers a range of live baccarat tables, all dealt from a shoe that holds eight full decks of cards. The decks are usually shuffled manually by a designated staff member. Standard baccarat rules apply, which helps novice players transition between tables.
At the start of each betting round, you can place one of the three main wagers: Player, Banker, or Tie. The hand whose total is closest to 9 wins. All games use the standard baccarat paytable.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Baccarat Games
Side Bets and Progressive Jackpots
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Playtech Live Baccarat Games
- Grand Baccarat
- Dragon Jackpot Baccarat
- Prestige Baccarat
- Auto Live Baccarat
- Dragon Tiger
Side Bets and Progressive Jackpots
In addition to the three main wagers, players can place side bets for enhanced payouts. Options include Player Pair, Banker Pair, Either Pair, Perfect Pair, and Big or Small Hand.
At some tables dealers squeeze the cards to reveal their values slowly, building suspense. If you like tracking trends, you can consult the scorecards (also known as roadmaps), which display patterns from previous results. We recommend trying Dragon Jackpot Baccarat for a shot at a multi-tiered progressive prize, as 1% of every Tie bet contributes to the pot.
Live Dealer Baccarat by Playtech Gameplay
Live House-Banked Poker and Sic Bo
In addition to blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, Playtech has launched several exciting house-banked poker variations in which you play against the casino’s representative, the dealer, rather than against other players. SuperCasinoSites reviews these games below.
- Also known as Three Card Poker, 3 Card Brag uses one full deck and a slightly different hand-ranking system. Your goal is to beat the dealer with a better three-card hand; the highest hand is Three of a Kind (pays 40 to 1). The dealer needs a Queen or higher to qualify.
- Casino Hold’em uses the same hand rankings as traditional Texas Hold’em and follows a similar structure, with the key difference that you play against the house. Five community cards are dealt on the board. Your goal is to beat the dealer with a better five-card hand by combining your two cards with the community cards. The deck is replaced with a new, pre-shuffled one after each round. The dealer qualifies with a pair of 4s or better.
- Heads Up Hold’em is similar to standard Casino Hold’em but features two main differences. The dealer needs any pair or higher to qualify, and the Bad Beat Bonus gives you a chance to earn a payout even if your hand loses to the dealer.
- In Casino Stud Poker, you can compete for a large progressive jackpot by placing an optional $1 side bet. The jackpot is won in full with a Royal Flush after posting the fixed bet. There is also a 5+1 Bonus side bet that wins whenever your five cards and the dealer’s first exposed card form at least Three of a Kind.
- Sic Bo Deluxe is an exciting game that originated in China. You bet on the roll of three dice for a chance to win enhanced payouts with multipliers of up to 1,000x your wager. The live action unfolds in an elegant red and gold studio inspired by the Chinese New Year. There are many betting options, including Big/Small, Number, Pair, Double, Triple, and Any Triple.
Live Dealer Hold’em Poker by Playtech Gameplay
