UKGC: Live Dealer Tech Is Regulated for Fairness
FOI response addresses player concerns over live blackjack, clarifying that multi-deck shoes and card feeders are standard, regulated practice.
A Freedom of Information request has shed light on the rules governing live dealer casino games. The UK Gambling Commission confirmed that equipment like multi-deck card shoes is standard, regulated technology designed to ensure game integrity and prevent card counting, not to manipulate odds.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has provided clarity on the rules and technology used in live dealer casino games, addressing player concerns about game fairness.
The request, dated 18 December 2022, questioned whether a gambling company like Coral is permitted to use technology to "maximise there [sic] odds". The individual cited observations from a live blackjack game, including a dealer pressing a button, cards emerging from a slot rather than the top of a shoe, and seeing five Queen of Hearts cards dealt in a single game.
In a full disclosure, the UKGC’s response explains that these observations are consistent with standard, regulated practices in the live casino industry.
Key Findings from the UKGC Response
The Commission’s explanation centres on the equipment and procedures designed to ensure game integrity and speed.
- Multi-Deck Shoes: The UKGC clarified that live table games like blackjack commonly use a device called a “shoe” or a “card feeder”. These devices hold multiple decks of standard playing cards, often six, eight, or even more.
- Purpose of Multiple Decks: This practice serves two main purposes. Firstly, it is a measure to counter card counting, a technique where players track dealt cards to predict future outcomes. With over 400 cards in an eight-deck shoe, card counting becomes exceptionally difficult. Secondly, it allows games to run faster and for longer periods without interruption for shuffling.
- Explaining Multiple Identical Cards: The use of multiple decks directly explains why a player might see what appears to be an impossible number of identical cards. In a game using eight decks, there are eight Queen of Hearts in play, making the observation of five such cards entirely possible.
Regulation and Technical Standards
Crucially, the UKGC confirmed that live casino operations fall under its regulatory oversight. Operators must adhere to the Remote gambling and software technical standards (RTS).
The Commission specifically directed the requester to RTS 17 – Live dealer studios, a section of the standards that outlines the requirements for fairness, game integrity, and security in live-streamed games. These standards govern everything from the physical security of the studio to the way games are conducted and monitored.
What This Means for Consumers
This disclosure is significant for consumers who may be wary of the technology used in online live casinos. It confirms that what can appear suspicious to an untrained eye—such as automated card feeders and the appearance of multiple identical cards—is often a standard and regulated part of the game's operation.
The UKGC's response underscores that licensed operators are not permitted to use technology to alter game odds unfairly. Instead, the technology and procedures in place are governed by strict technical standards designed to ensure a fair and secure gambling environment for all players.