There’s no question that slot games continue to make up the majority of the gaming options at retail and online casinos. However, thanks to massive technological leaps, table games, pun intended, are giving slots a run for their money. With AI tools now involved in the process, the world of table games is set to be great for 2025 and beyond.
Humble Origins of Table Games
Senet is one of the oldest documented board games from Egypt, circa 3100 BCE, while similar versions existed in Mesopotamia and neighboring areas. The game combined strategic elements with random chance while holding religious importance linked to afterlife beliefs and possibly symbolizing life and death’s journey and fate.
Among ancient games, Senet stands out as the most recognized. The rectangular board with square spaces served as the playing surface where pieces moved according to dice rolls. Research shows that the game had religious ritual connections and was played by both everyday individuals as well as members of the upper classes.
The game called Go originated about 2,500 years ago and focuses on territorial conquest over a grid system. This game combines straightforward rules with complex strategic depth. The game Go requires skill, patience, and foresight to play and continues to be extremely popular, especially in East Asia today.
Table Game Revolution
While most European and Asian countries embraced gambling and table games, America was one of the slowest. In order for people to play their favorite table games like roulette, poker, and blackjack, they had to go to Speakeasies and underground saloons. However, in the early 1930s, Nevada changed the tone and direction of table games by legalizing casinos.
With legal casinos now available in prominent Nevada cities like Reno and Las Vegas, the future for table games took off like a rocket. It also helped that Hollywood put its full support behind casinos. The top celebrities of the day, like Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and others, heavily endorsed popular table games like craps and roulette.
With casinos now part of the American fabric, come the late 1970s, the casino world expanded with the rise of Atlantic City casinos. With two powerful gambling meccas on the East and West Coasts, the golden age for table games took off well into the 1980s and beyond.
Entering the Digital Age
Although it doesn’t seem like much now, the first wave of online casinos in the mid-90s raised the profile of table games even more.
However, online casinos were still not available in the United States at the time. Even more problematic was the limited Adobe Flash graphics and the dial-up internet.
Technological Leaps in the 2010s
The 2010s would prove to be an important year for table games and online casinos. For retail casinos, Pennsylvania passed an amendment that allowed retail casinos to support table gameplay. Also, the broadband internet took off.
With more homes offering broadband internet, the top online gaming developers now had a bigger opening to expand their table games. Also, with enhanced graphics like HTML5 and Javascript, the look and feel for timeless table games like baccarat and roulette hooked new legions of casino players.
The Rise of American Casinos
The 2010s proved to be massively important because the American online casino scene came online. Starting in Delaware, in a few short years, six other states would jump on board. Featuring deluxe websites with UX designs, the world of table games indeed took off and they keep taking off in 2025.
The Rise of Live Dealer Games
The concept of live dealer technology actually dates back to the late 2000s. However, due to the limited internet and graphics, it wasn’t an immediate success. However, with superior internet and graphics, Evolution Gaming, the leading live dealer developer, perfected the art of live dealer play.
Available 24/7, table game players can play their favorite table games like Texas Hold’em in stunning 4k resolution with a professional dealer. Thanks to massive technological leaps, players can also chat with the dealer or croupier in real time.
Custom Table Games
With the rapid expansion of AI tools, players have more access to custom table games online than in person. You can enjoy roulette like never before with Lightning and Platinum Roulette. Not only can you make your traditional roulette bets, but you get to enjoy incredible animations and effects, as well as stunning winning multipliers that can top 500x.
Mobile Play
The incredible digital world continues to mesh with the continued rise of the mobile industry. Thanks to the latest generation of iPhones and tablets, players can now play their favorite table games in the palm of their hands without missing a beat.
Social Casinos Rise in 2025
The concept of sweepstakes casinos dates back to 2020. And in the few short years, they have been around, they continue to change the iGaming world for the better.
The newest social casinos are available in over 40 states and carry a growing live dealer library. Powered by Ionic 21, social iGaming players can chat with dealers and other players through their social media profiles.
The Future Is Now
Table games continue to be the fastest-growing category at online casinos. To keep pace, even retail casinos are adding new table game options to stay relevant to the rise of the growing slot world.
Table 1: Key Table Game Technology Timeline
Year Milestone
1400s The first known printed table games occurred
1930s Nevada introduces table games in its legal casinos
1975 The first video poker machine hits casinos
1994 The first wave of online casinos
2012 The birth of American online casinos
2019 Live dealer gameplay becomes mainstream
Today, the top game developers like Playtech are adding live television game shows as part of the table game experience. Also, AI tools continue to work with augmented reality to provide more immersive and enhanced playing experiences with additional camera angles.