Live game shows have gained immense popularity within the live casino scene in the India since the launch of Dream Catcher in 2017, consolidating their status as a fan favourite. This genre continues to flourish, offering players the unique opportunity to take centre stage in their own show. Many of these games incorporate nostalgic elements, drawing inspiration from the widespread popularity of prime-time TV game shows spanning the 70s to the early 2000s.
The online casino community is consistently filled with anticipation whenever a new live casino game is on the verge of release. Prime Casino ensures that we showcase the latest and most exceptional live casino game shows from top-tier developers such as Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play. These games are accessible to our casino customers on their preferred devices, including smartphones operating on both Android and iOS platforms.
This page is designed to keep you informed about all aspects related to live casino experiences. We will spotlight the best-loved game shows among our players, introduce you to key industry players worthy of attention, and outline the indispensable elements of a top-tier live game show. Stay tuned for an epic exploration into the world of captivating live game shows at Prime Casino.
We’ve paid attention to our players, and it's safe to say that many have fallen head over heels for certain smash hit live game shows in particular. There are plenty of games in this genre, and more exciting games upcoming, but to help you get started we’ve listed the most popular live game shows to date.
Evolution Gaming's 2020 release Crazy Time was their biggest game show release since Dream Catcher and remained so until its spiritual successor Funky Time, released last year. In this live game show players can win prizes by correctly guessing the segment which the giant prize wheel will land on.
Crazy Time is available on desktop and mobile devices and is broadcast from a cutting-edge studio with a live host. What made Crazy Time stand out from the crowd, and why it is still so beloved was the unprecedented number of bonus elements. Crazy Time offers four bonus games which are activated when the wheel stops on their segment. These bonuses are; Pachinko, Cash Hunt, Coin Flip, and the titular, Crazy Time.
Funky Time can be seen as the unofficial sequel to Evolution's smash-hit Crazy Time Live Casino Game. Where Crazy Time has a generic carnival theme, Funky Time celebrates all things disco and is reminiscent of top 70s game shows like The Generation Game.
Funky Time uses a DigiWheel (a spinning prize wheel with digital elements), and has four bonus features, the Bar Bonus, Stayin' Alive Bonus, Disco Bonus, and VIP Bonus. Funky Time has an enhanced user interface and an easy-to-use betting system which has 17 options for players to pick from.
Deal or No Deal: The Big Draw is a brand new live game show from developer Playtech. Directly inspired and licensed by the popular afternoon game show Deal or No Deal, the mechanics of this game are a little different to the original format. Players don't get to pick cases to remove from play and instead, the dealer draws 20 bingo balls. Any cases that match the numbers drawn will be removed from play. Qualifying players will then receive an offer from the iconic banker. There's also a side game to enjoy during wait time called the Mini-Draw side game.
There is a dedicated sub-genre of live game shows for licensed games, and Monopoly Live from Evolution is a complete fan favourite. Licensed by Hasbro, Monopoly Live lets players experience the age-old family board game like never before. Monopoly Live is a money-wheel game which brings to life the most iconic elements of Monopoly - there's even an AR Mr. Monopoly. The bonus round of Monopoly Live sees players navigate a digital 3D version of the classic game board.
While new developers are starting to enter the fray, the live game show genre is dominated by three industry titles, Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic. Each developer has their own flair and uses unique combinations of features designed to amuse and entertain a wide variety of live casino players.
Playtech has had a strong industry presence since they were founded in 1999. In 2019 they released their first live casino game. The brand's most popular live game show is Adventures Beyond Wonderland, a kooky prize wheel game inspired by the works of Lewis Caroll. Spin a Win is another popular game show from this developer who also has a 'Quantum' series of live casino games. Playtech's live game shows are streamed in HD quality from their dedicated studios in Riga, Latvia.
Established in 2006, Evolution Gaming transformed the live casino landscape with the release of their first live game show, Dream Catcher, in 2017. Renowned for innovative titles like Crazy Time and Funky Time, as well as their 'Lightning' series of live casino games, Evolution operates from state-of-the-art studios and holds various operational licences, ensuring the distribution of their games in multiple regulated regions. All their games are live-streamed from Riga.
Pragmatic Play was founded in 2015 and released its first live casino game in 2020. The developer's most popular live game show is probably Sweet Bonanza Candyland; a game inspired by the iconic slot series of the same name. Snakes & Ladders and Mega Wheel are other live game shows Pragmatic has released, and all their game shows are live streamed in 4k from their state-of-the-art studio situated in Bucharest, Romania.
Live game shows played at online casinos draw their inspiration from the formats of iconic television game shows. The table below compares key aspects of TV game shows with those seen in online live game shows.
| Criteria | Game Shows on Television | Live Game Shows Online |
|---|---|---|
| Entertaining Formats | TV game show formats consider elements such as a live studio audience as well as the audience watching when the episode is released. | Online game shows have formats which are designed around a live virtual audience. |
| Rules of Play | Clear rules are explained to the player and the audience in each episode. | Rules are displayed as part of game information and reviews. Players can also ask the live host for further information on the rules. |
| Immersive Gameplay | The chosen player and the live studio audience take part in gameplay. Viewers watching at home can play along, though not in real-time. | Players take part in the game in real time and can interact with other players and the host via live chat. |
| Fair, Honest, Gameplay | Fairness is ensured by showrunners and may be investigated by external services such as Ofcom. | Online casinos must be licenced by a recognised authority. All games must be third-party tested to ensure fairness. |
| Presentation | The host is usually a recognisable figure. The presenter interacts with the player, the live studio audience, and (indirectly) the viewers at home. | The host engages with all players and can read and answer messages left in the game's live chat. |
| Payouts | Prize In TV game shows are typically set cash values, or prize packages of items by sponsors. | Prizes are structured as a paytable. Prizes are cash values which are multiplications of a player's initial wager. |
| Audience Participation | A live studio audience may be encouraged to take part. TV audiences may play along at home. | The audience can interact with the host via live chat and can watch the game show via live streaming. |
| Objectives | Games have a clear set of objectives which are designed to be entertaining and engaging for a TV audience. | Clear and straightforward objectives which are guided by the host. Events are suited for virtual audience participation. |
| Pacing | TV game shows have a specific run time (e.g. 1 hour with 4 ad breaks), and a set number of episodes per series. | Live game shows run 24/7, and rounds of gameplay can vary in length depending on outcomes. Some live game shows have been specifically designed for swift, streamlined gameplay. |
| Accessibility | Accessible to persons attending filming (live studio audience), as well as TV watchers viewing pre-recorded episodes on live TV or via streaming platforms. Episodes may also be re-run multiple times. | Anyone of legal betting age can access live game shows from any device so long as they are registered with an online casino. |
How did television game shows evolve, and what led to the rise of live game shows in casinos?
The history of game shows is almost as old as that of broadcasting. Brooklyn Eagle Quiz on Current Events was a radio programme that was hosted in 1923 by The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, a daily newspaper. Since then, the media landscape, technological advancements, and societal shifts have all had an impact on game shows. But one thing remains the same, viewers are still tuned in and playing a century later.
As the limits on technology expanded, so too did the ways players could engage with game shows, no longer was it only a choice between being a contestant, a live audience member, or a TV viewer. Over the last two decades, online gaming, and online casino gameplay has become the norm, with players looking for new and exciting experiences on demand. Evolution Gaming was arguably the first to dabble with the live casino game show genre with the release called Dream Catcher in 2017, which used a live host and a prize wheel akin to the heyday of TV game shows from the 70s to the 90s.
