22 August 2025
By Roger Kennedy
roger@TheCork.ie
Entertainment
Pubs and sports have always been a big part of Irish culture. The Irish pub is a renowned establishment all around the world. Countries that have nothing to do with the Emerald Isle have attempted to replicate the feel and atmosphere of the iconic pub. Sports are also integral to Irish culture. The Irish love football and rugby of course. But they also have the unique Celtic sports that the country is trying to revive.
Where there are sports, there is betting. Sports betting is perhaps the oldest form of gambling. Betting on sports in Ireland is a practice as old as the country itself. Horse racing and football are most people’s favorite events to wager on. It shouldn’t surprise many that those who like to bet on sports also enjoy a trip to the casino. The new digital age has brought about a new interest for many Irish locals. That being the rise of live casino entertainment.
What is Live Casino Entertainment?
The late 20th century saw the rise of online casinos. Slot games were the first to launch in the market. They were the pillars upon which the gambling industry was built, alongside digital poker rooms. Game developers attempted to diversify the industry very soon. But online variants of blackjack and roulette simply did not take off. What many were missing was the human element that makes these games such a hit. Then streaming changed everything.
The second decade of the 21st century saw the introduction of livestreaming technology. Suddenly people could broadcast themselves in real time. Online casinos saw an obvious opportunity to blend convenience with familiarity. That is how the first live casino Ireland platforms came about. They featured human dealers who were playing with a chat operating in real time. The immersive elements of land-based establishments were merged with the access that online casinos offered. A new era was upon us.
Live casino entertainment today has become a staple of Irish culture. It is as integral to entertainment in the country as pubs or sports. We need look no further than all of the Irish themes and aesthetics that online casino game developers try to replicate in order to satisfy the large audience to come out of the Emerald Isles. But gambling has barely begun to scratch the surface. Innovation is keeping the existing fans loyal and attracting new ones by the day.
Innovation in Irish Live Casino Entertainment
Gamblers may be happy to see the inspiration that Irish culture has had on the iGaming market. We talked before about the themes that game developers adopt to enhance the quality of their games. It is not uncommon to see slot games inspired by Irish imagery and folklore. Most commonly present are Leprechauns who hoard their pot of gold. These mischievous fey folk try to keep the jackpot away from the players who are eager to claim it for themselves.
That same level of dedication exists in live gambling as well. Roulette games particularly have taken a lot of inspiration from the Irish. The colors of the wheel itself may not change. But the surrounding area is often decorated in a way that might pay tribute to the Emerald Isles. Naturally we can see a lot of green and golden colors. It shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn that the Irish colors appeal to roulette players. Roulette is not a hard science like bread baking or chess. The game is notoriously luck-based after all. Who wouldn’t want a bit of the old Irish luck to guide them while playing?
The focus on aesthetics may lead some to believe that these are the only ways that live games have changed. That is far from the truth. Live casinos in Ireland have done a lot to appeal to a broader demographic. Their latest attempt to invite new fans is introducing completely unique and original games. What many live casinos seem most proud of are the game shows. They take the concept of classic game shows and put a unique gambling twist on the whole thing. The concept is absolutely a hit among new and existing players alike.
What We Can Expect in the Future
There are certainly those interested to learn what the Irish online casino scene may look like in the future. The focus of many iGaming platforms right now is certainly on live casinos. We have seen an increase in unique and classic games. Developers are attempting to put a new spin on the classics, which is working for some of the new generations of players. The growing interest in online gambling is certainly helping live casinos to thrive.
But many are wondering what could change in the future. Virtual reality is one aspect of the iGaming market that many have staunch opinions on. Some are absolutely looking forward to a fully-immersive casino experience in the virtual world. Others have criticized VR for its clunky controls and imperfect execution. There are certainly aspects of virtual reality that need work. But remember that Rome was not built in a day. The technology may be impressive; but it is still relatively new. It might change significantly in the future and bring about something that can only be described as impressive.
There are those who are excited to see what unique games developers will come up with next. Blackjack and roulette will forever remain staples of the market. But seeing how quickly game show-based live games have become a hit certainly inspires many designers to think outside the box. We cannot even begin to imagine what new titles await us in the future. We just know that they will certainly be exciting to play.
What we are most looking forward to is breakthroughs in cybersecurity and responsible gambling practices. The iGaming industry is already very careful to ensure a fun and safe environment. But as technology improves so too do our capacities for ensuring safety. We expect that live casinos will incorporate all of the latest and greatest tech to make sure their players are safe from both external and internal threats.