Live casinos have existed for years, but recently, they’ve surged in popularity. At least, that’s what the industry claims. But is this growth real, or just another overhyped trend? Are Canadians truly embracing live dealer games, or is this a temporary shift in online gaming habits?
To get a definitive answer, we turned to Joonas Karhu from Bojoko.ca, one of Canada’s leading online casino comparison platforms. They help Canadians discover live casinos, and Karhu states that they have seen a consistent positive trend in searches and activity. According to him, live casinos aren’t just growing—they’re fundamentally changing how people play online.
The demand for live casinos in Canada is bigger than ever
Karhu is clear: live casino gaming in Canada is not a passing trend – it’s a full-blown shift in player behaviour.
“Every month, thousands of Canadian players actively search for live casinos that are available to them. This tells us that the interest isn’t just steady but increasing. The demand for live dealer games has exploded, and the numbers don’t lie,” Karhu says.
This shift isn’t just about more people playing – it’s about how they want to experience online gaming. “Players aren’t just looking for a game anymore,” Karhu explains. “They’re looking for interaction, realism, and the thrill of playing in real-time. Live casinos give them that. Unlike traditional online casino games, live dealer experiences feel real –players see the cards being dealt, the roulette ball spinning, and they get to interact with the dealer. That’s a huge factor in why live casinos have grown so much.”
The result? More Canadian players choose live blackjack, live roulette, and live game-show-style experiences over standard slots and automated table games. “This is no longer a niche audience,” Karhu says. “Live gaming is where the industry is headed.”
Why more players are choosing live casinos over traditional online games
According to Karhu, the growth of live casinos isn’t random – it’s driven by several key factors that set live gaming apart from standard online casino experiences.
“The biggest reason is that live casinos feel more real,” he says. “When you play a slot machine or an RNG-based blackjack game, it’s all automated. But in live casinos, you can actually see what’s happening. You can watch the dealer shuffle, see the roulette ball drop, and interact in real time. That makes a huge difference in player engagement.”
Trust is also a major factor. “Players like knowing there’s no hidden algorithm controlling the outcome. They feel more comfortable when they can actually see the cards being dealt,” Karhu adds.
Another key reason is the social experience. “In a normal online casino game, you’re playing against a machine. In live casino games, you can chat with the dealer, interact with other players, and feel like you’re part of something. That sense of community makes the experience way more engaging and keeps players coming back. Of course, casinos should not assume this is an either-or; it is very common to love both sides of the online casino experience.”
Live casinos have evolved – it’s not just blackjack and roulette anymore
For a long time, live casinos were primarily about classic table games like blackjack and roulette. But that’s no longer the case, Karhu points out.
“Live casinos today are so much more than just the standard table games with real dealers. If you go back a few years, those were the main options available. But now? The industry has completely transformed.”
One of the biggest shifts has been the rise of game-show-style live casino games, which have brought a whole new type of player into the space.
“We’re seeing massive innovation with games like Crazy Time and Monopoly Live, as well as changes on the classics, like Lightning Roulette. These games are high-energy, packed with big multipliers and bonus rounds, and they bring something completely fresh to the table,” Karhu says.
But why are these games attracting so much attention? Karhu believes it’s because they’re built for entertainment, not just gambling. “People who might never have played a hand of blackjack are now jumping into live casinos because these games are fun, interactive, and visually exciting. It’s no longer just for traditional casino players—live gaming has expanded to a much bigger audience.”
The live casino games Canadian players love the most
Live casino players in Canada still love classic games like blackjack and roulette, but Karhu says there’s been a noticeable shift in what’s trending.
“Yes, blackjack and roulette remain popular, but game variety is what’s really fueling the growth of live casinos,” he explains.
One of the biggest success stories is Crazy Time. “It’s colourful, exciting, and packed with huge multipliers and bonus rounds. Players love that it’s more than just a standard card game – it’s an experience.”
Another standout is Lightning Roulette. “It takes the classic roulette format and adds random multipliers, which means you can win way more than in a standard roulette game. That’s exactly what today’s players are looking for—something fresh, something exciting.”
This shift from purely strategic games like blackjack to more dynamic, entertainment-driven games is only getting bigger. “Players still love skill-based games, but there’s no denying that high-energy, visually engaging games are driving the next phase of live casino growth,” Karhu says.
The future of live casinos: How technology is changing the game
Karhu believes the most significant transformations are still ahead.
“If you look at how much live casinos have evolved in just the last few years, it’s clear that we’re nowhere near the ceiling. New games are constantly being developed, and I expect we’ll see even more major shake-ups in the industry soon,” he says.
One of the key reasons for this? Developers are getting bolder with their ideas. “We’ve already seen traditional table games evolve into high-energy, game-show-style experiences, and I think that trend will continue. We’ll see even more unique, interactive live games that bring bigger multipliers, better social engagement, and completely fresh concepts that we haven’t even imagined yet.”
Karhu also points out that while live casino gaming grows rapidly in Canada, the excitement is even more significant in some other markets.
“In places like the UK, India, and certain parts of Europe, live casino gaming has exploded. The level of player engagement there is even higher than in Canada. That tells me that there’s still a lot of room for growth here. We’re only scratching the surface of how big live casinos can become in Canada.”
So, does he think this growth will slow down anytime soon? Not at all.
“The demand for more immersive, engaging, and interactive games is only increasing. With better technology, new game formats, and a growing player base, I believe the popularity of live casinos has a long way to go. This isn’t just a trend – it’s the future of online gaming.”
