Live Blackjack for Players in Australia
Australia has the highest rate of gambling in the world per capita, with it reported that in the last 12 months, 1 out of every 4 Australians aged 18 years or older spent money on a gambling service or product. The number of avid players can further grow as online gambling options have increased over recent years.
As in the rest of the world, the fastest growing sector of the online casino industry in Australia at this point is Live Dealer options, which have undergone huge technological advances over recent years, now offering as close to a true-to-life experience as it’s possible to get.
The key drivers of the growing popularity of such content, including online blackjack, roulette, and baccarat for Australia for real money are:
- Authentic Experience: Live dealer casinos provide an experience that closely mimics that of a land-based casino, with real dealers, real-time interaction, and the ability to observe the game in real-time.
- Trust and Transparency: The presence of a live dealer increases the trust factor among players, who can see the game unfold in real-time, reducing concerns about the fairness of RNG-based online games.
- Social Interaction: Players enjoy the social aspect of live dealer games, including interaction with dealers and other players through chat features.
With virtual reality making its way into the iGaming world, giving even more immersive options for those who appreciate live casino options, it’s likely that these games will start to take up a larger part of the Australian, and indeed global market, in the years to come.
Online Blackjack in Australia
Australian online blackjack has gained immense popularity for several reasons. Firstly, it offers convenience, allowing players to enjoy the game from the comfort of their own homes without the need to visit a physical casino. Secondly, the best online blackjack platforms for Australia often provide various bonuses and promotions, making it more attractive for players to engage with. Additionally, the availability of live dealer options enhances the experience by providing an interactive and realistic gaming environment, mimicking the atmosphere of a traditional casino.
The Rise of Mobile Gambling
The proliferation of smartphones and mobile technology has significantly contributed to the growth of mobile gambling in Australia. With dedicated mobile apps and optimized websites, players can access their favorite online blackjack for real money in Australia on the go, making gambling more accessible than ever before. The convenience of playing anytime and anywhere has made mobile gambling a preferred choice for many avid Aussie players.
Responsible Gambling Measures
With the increase in gambling participation, there is a growing emphasis on responsible gambling measures in Australia. Various organizations and regulatory bodies are implementing strategies to promote safe gambling practices and provide support for individuals who may develop gambling-related issues. These measures include self-exclusion programs, limits on betting amounts, and providing resources for counseling and support services. The good news is that all the trustworthy and reputable online casinos that offer live blackjack for free or for real money in Australia are on board, making sure their players are informed at all times about all the necessary practices that keep gambling fun and light.
- Live dealer games from 8 providers
- Generous Welcome Bonus that expands across 4 deposits
- A great selection of payment methods including cryptocurrency
Welcome Bonus:
Closed Market
The fact that the gambling market in Australia is as big as it is, coupled with the rising popularity of online casino games, may explain why Australia chose to close its online casino industry, cutting the options for Australian players down a great deal.
Was it, however, a good idea? It is hard to back up this initiative because closing the market won’t minimize the popularity of live casinos among Australian players but will move millions of dollars of revenue into the gray sector of the economy. When legitimate options are restricted, players often turn to unregulated and potentially unsafe alternatives, leading to a loss of tax revenue and increased risks for consumers.
Globally, the online live dealer industry generates substantial revenue. For instance, the market was valued at approximately USD 1.4 billion in recent years and continues to grow at a significant rate. If Australia were to fully embrace and regulate this sector, it could tap into this lucrative market, generating considerable tax revenue and providing a safe, controlled environment for its players.
The Good News Is:
The market is not completely gone, however, and there are still a few operators remaining who provide free and real money online blackjack and other gaming options to Australian players. While these options are limited, the lack of competition means that two casinos stand firmly at the top of the pile, giving Australians two main choices for where to play.
As much as it’s a shame to not have the level of variety offered in many other jurisdictions when it comes to online casinos and Live Dealer software developers, there’s something to be said for having fewer choices, especially when it comes to trust.
The fact that there are two big names in the Australian online casino market at this point means that players can rest assured they and their money will be protected at either of them, and there’s no substitute for that level of reassurance.
In perhaps a strange coincidence, as well as being two main online casinos in Australia, there are also two main developers providing Live Blackjack options, and each one provides their games to one of the big two casinos.
What Does The Future Hold?
The trends in the live dealer gambling industry indicate continued growth and innovation. Advancements in technology, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), are set to revolutionize the player experience. The industry might see even more immersive and engaging live dealer games in the future. Being onboard with these trends could position Australia as a forward-thinking market, attracting both players and developers to invest in its regulated environment.
MYB Casino and Visionary iGaming Live Blackjack
MYB Casino is a spinoff of MyBookie, an online sports betting operator that has been providing virtual betting games for four years.
The expansion into other aspects of the industry is something many sports betting sites have attempted, with varying levels of success, but MYB did it with style, and this online casino swiftly became one of the most popular online casino operators in Australia.
In terms of casino games, BetSoft are the main provider here in terms of slots, while Concept Gaming and Nucleus also provide strong numbers, but when it comes to Live Blackjack, it’s Visionary iGaming (ViG) you want to pay attention to.
ViG Live Gaming only offer a small number of Live Dealer games, and Live Blackjack is the jewel in its crown. ViG Live Blackjack follows the rules of most traditional blackjack games, but with a few tweaks. Where most games will have the dealer stand on 17, ViG Live Blackjack has the dealer stand on a hard 17, but hit on a soft 17.
Six decks of cards are used, which are shuffled manually, which many enjoy for the sake of peace of mind. ViG Live Blackjack also allows players to double down after a split, as long as they have not split aces.
The combination of the quality of ViG’s Live Blackjack, and the platform offered by MYB Casino, make it no surprise that this is one of the most popular Live Blackjack options for Australian players.
Other Aussie Live Casinos
Casoo Casino and Lucky Streak
The combination of MYB Casino and ViG Live Blackjack is a tough one to beat, but they have competition in the Australian market from another impressive duo, Casoo Casino and Lucky Streak.
Casoo Casino made a quick impact in the Australian gambling world thanks to its impressive welcome bonus, which includes no deposit spins and a 100% welcome bonus on a player’s first deposit, along with another 20 spins (promotions valid at the time of writing, subject to change, terms and conditions apply).
Getting past the welcome bonus doesn’t mean the treats stop coming here either, whether various bonuses for existing customers including a VIP loyalty program.
There are a few gaming options available here, including Live Blackjack, which comes from Lucky Streak.
Lucky Streak’s Live Blackjack stands out from the outset thanks to its affluent style. Huge pillars stand in the centre of the room, with a particularly large Blackjack table being the centrepiece of the Lucky streak Live Casino.
With seven seats, and Bet Behind options when the table is full, as well as 21+3 side bets, there are various options for Live Blackjack players here.
Casual, soft spoken dealers are also a mainstay with this Live Blackjack offering.
Payment Methods
Since the Australian online casino market closed, there have been substantially fewer options for players when it comes to payment and withdrawal methods.
However, debit and credit card transactions are still accepted at online casinos in the country, and bitcoin, as well as other cryptocurrencies (Litecoin, Tether, Tron, Ethereum, etc) have become the go-to payment methods for Aussie gamblers.
In other words, the most popular payment methods in Australian online casinos include a mix of traditional banking options and modern digital payment solutions. Here are the key methods:
1. Credit and Debit Cards
- Visa: Widely accepted and commonly used for both deposits and withdrawals.
- Mastercard: Another popular option for many Australian players.
2. Cryptocurrencies
- Bitcoin: Increasingly popular due to its security and anonymity.
- Ethereum: Favored for its fast transaction times.
- Litecoin, Tether, Tron: Other cryptocurrencies also used by Aussie gamblers.
3. E-Wallets
- PayPal: Highly trusted and used for its ease of use and buyer protection.
- MiFinity: Popular for its fast transactions and low fees.
- eZeeWallet: Known for its convenience and widespread acceptance.
4. Bank Transfers
- Direct Bank Transfers: Used for both deposits and withdrawals, though processing times can be longer.
- POLi: A popular online payment service that allows instant bank transfers without the need for a credit card.
5. Prepaid Cards
- Neosurf: Provides a secure way to deposit funds without revealing personal banking information.
6. Mobile Payment Solutions
- Apple Pay: Used for quick and secure payments via mobile devices.
- Google Pay: Another mobile payment option gaining popularity among Australian players.
These payment methods are preferred for their convenience, security, and the speed with which transactions can be completed. The availability of multiple payment options ensures that players can choose the method that best suits their needs and preferences.
The Australian market might not be the playground of online casino options that it once was, and that’s bound to be disappointing to many players, especially considering how ubiquitous gambling is as a hobby in the country.
However, those who have kept their head above water as those around them sink beneath, continue to offer excellent Live Blackjack options for players, and as the games themselves continue to change and evolve, you can expect the likes of Lucky Streak and ViG to be at the forefront of that evolution