The online gambling landscape looked vastly different at the start of the decade compared to now in 2025. While standard virtual casino games and sportsbooks dominated the web in the early 2020s, live dealer casino games and live-streamed sports betting have since taken over to become the norm.
Advances in live-streaming technology have enabled this rapid shift. Faster internet speeds, improved video quality and increased accessibility have made it possible for operators to stream real-life dealers, croupiers and sports matches to customers around the world in real-time.
The transition has been enormously beneficial for both operators and players. Live gaming provides a much more authentic experience that more closely replicates the atmosphere and social dynamics of brick-and-mortar venues.
Sudden Rise of Live Dealer Casino Games
In just the last five years, live dealer games have exploded to account for over 30% of gross gaming revenue for major online operators like StarCasino BE. By integrating webcams and high-definition video feeds of real dealers and table game action, sites have essentially brought the casino floor online.
| Year | Total Market Size | Live Dealer Market Share |
| 2020 | $59.6 billion | 12% |
| 2023 | $92.8 billion | 26% |
| 2025 | $103.2 billion | 32% |
With players demanding more authenticity and human interaction even when gambling digitally, live games have filled an important gap in the user experience. Features like live chat allow players to converse with each other and the dealer. Advanced computer vision techniques also enable augmented reality overlays displaying key game statistics and data visualization.
Millennials and Gen Z have especially taken to live gaming, as digitally native generations flock to sites like Jackpot City Live, Spin Palace Live and 888 Live Casino. With youth now representing the majority of players, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Operators able to offer rich, interactive online environments stand to benefit greatly from catering to young players.
Bet Streams Revolutionize Sports Betting
A parallel surge has occurred with live-streamed sports betting. While bettors previously had to settle for betting on game odds and totals, they can now effectively bet on every single play as it unfolds.
Again, advancing streaming capacity has enabled this granularity. Sportsbooks now offer dozens of high-definition streams simultaneously across different games, matches, races and events. Customers simply watch the stream of a given competition and continue placing in-play bets at a moment’s notice.
| Sport | 2020 Handle | 2025 Handle | Growth |
| Football | $8.3 billion | $19.2 billion | +132% |
| Basketball | $1.5 billion | $4.8 billion | +220% |
| Tennis | $325 million | $1.1 billion | +248% |
The level of information and flexibility provides an unparalleled experience. With so much riding on individual possessions or plays, the rising popularity of prop bets and micro-betting opportunities will only raise engagement further. Fans are now so invested they feel like part of the action as virtual coaches or managers of their wagers.
While bet streams used to suffer from noticeable lag times between the live event and footage streamed to devices, 5G networks have nearly eliminated delays altogether. Some sportsbooks even integrate directly with arena cameras and production trucks to gain a competitive edge. Expect insatiable consumer demand for instant gratification to promote continued innovation across streaming and betting velocity.
Conclusion
Live-streaming in online gambling has evolved remarkably since 2020. While industry veterans once discounted the feasibility or interest in dealer streams and bet streams, surging revenues tell a decisively different story.
Advances in video distribution capacity and internet speeds have made live gaming smooth, responsive and reliable. A new generation of players prioritizes authenticity, social connectivity and interactive features that mimic in-person gambling excitement.
As technology progresses further, we can expect live-streaming to permeate across the industry. Expect more games to integrate live dealers, more sportsbooks to offer bet streams and more operators to push the boundaries of what’s possible online as this trend continues accelerating into the future.
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