In the casino of the future, could robots be in charge of the tables? That is a question the Las Vegas gambling industry is currently pondering, as staff costs keep on rising and technology keeps on advancing. Online gamblers can already enjoy a host of automated games including live casinos, for which tips and strategies can be found on Casinopedia’s website. It has even been reported that some land-based casinos are getting in on the action too.

Automation for casino games is advancing quickly, with some gaming venues in Asian and North American markets already offering automated betting at the tables. Currently these games are overseen by humans, who handle the payments and make sure no errors occur. But in the future, when these automated dealers are more capable and reliable, it is possible they could replace traditional dealers entirely.

Opinion divided on robot dealers

The idea of introducing robot dealers to some of the world’s biggest gaming markets has been around for some time. Yet only now are technological advances bringing those ideas to life – quite literally. Attendees at the Global Gaming Expo in Southeast Asia last year heard how the industry is focusing on ways that automation can improve the player experience, while also bringing down operating costs.

Dealer salaries are said to have risen by 150% over the past decade, pushing up the cost of operation and eating into the tight margin of profit available to casinos. Automated dealers could reduce the number of staff required and push down those costs. On the other hand, the cost of installing and maintaining such sophisticated machinery could match or even exceed those staff costs.

Games run by robot dealers could also be safer, for the player and for the house. A large number of fraud and theft cases in casinos are linked to dishonest dealers who abuse their position, as it is dealers who have the greatest opportunity to cheat. A robotic dealer would offer a fair and consistent service. Machines could also prove faster than human dealers, allowing more hands to be played and improving the game for the player.

Critics suggest there might not be much appetite for robot dealers among players, despite the advantages they offer. Gambling is often seen as a social experience which the dealer is part of, and removing the human aspect of card deals could make the game too clinical. However, we could see more land-based casinos becoming online in the future.

The only way to discover if robot dealers will be accepted by gamblers is to try them out on casino floors, and that is what gaming tech companies hope to do in the coming year or two.

Vegas welcomes robots for CES 2018

The Consumer Electronics Show 2018 was hosted at the Las Vegas Conference Center last week. The event celebrates the latest innovations in the tech world, from cell phones and laptops to self-driving cars – and, of course, robots.

The show featured concierge robots designed for airports, a cute autonomous puppy, and a ride-on shopping cart which follows you home with your purchases. There was even a ‘companion robot’ on display at the show, designed to attend to its owner’s intimate needs!

Robotic technology is advancing at an incredible pace. Things that were the domain of science fiction, like smart homes and self-driving vehicles, are now a reality. The idea that robot dealers could soon deal the cards in Vegas doesn’t seem all that far-fetched when you consider that self-driving buses are already ferrying gamblers to the city’s casinos.

Electronic bartenders prove a hit in Vegas

Las Vegas is no stranger to robot service staff in its casino venues either. Concept bar Tipsy Robot opened on the Strip last July, with automated bartenders serving a range of cocktails and beers. Tipsy Robot previously debuted on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, serving cocktails to cruise passengers – and even remembering the orders of regulars!

It proved such a hit that the creators took their concept onto land – and Vegas was happy to provide a home for it. There are human bartenders too, who keep an eye on the robots and serve a range of craft beers and snacks. However, it is the robots who are the real stars of the show, and they have proved a huge hit for the Strip’s visitors.

It is therefore no surprise that Las Vegas entertainment venues are considering other uses for these robotic staff. In addition to robot dealers at the tables and electronic bartenders issuing drinks, the casino of the future could feature autonomous cash tellers, table runners, security guards and even entertainers.

A sign of things to come with Yggdrasil’s automated 3D dealers

While fully automated casino dealers that could essentially replace human dealers are still a good way off, there are some innovations happening right now that could move us one step closer. For example, Scandinavian gaming company Yggdrasil has recently announced it will launch a computer generated live 3D gaming experience, blending electronic table games with the live dealer experience in a unique concept for online gamblers.

The table games will feature a host of dealer characters, created using motion-capture technology to make the dealers as lifelike as possible. Players will be able to interact with the dealer, communicate with other players, and enjoy many of the social features of a real casino experience. While this is not quite the robot dealer many have envisaged, it is certainly a sign that the lines between humans and automated machines are starting to blur.