An Interview with Liam Blackley.
Canadian iGaming expert Liam Blackley explains how blackjack_strategy content has changed with the growth of online casino websites. In this interview, Blackley discusses how his own Canadian content on Casino.ca has adapted to new regulatory measures, and what players look for in online blackjack titles.
BlackjackReview: Liam, can you tell us a bit about your work in the iGaming industry and with writing blackjack content for Casino.ca?
Liam: Happy to. I’ve been in the industry for several years during which I’ve reviewed several dozen online casinos firsthand, providing accurate information and objective feedback for players. The goal is to help players make their own informed decisions of where to play based on safety, usability, and fun.
Beyond that, I’ve also written guides to help players understand blackjack rules and strategy, while also highlighting notable blackjack variants. My background in game design helps me break down blackjack into quantifiable numbers so new players can see success straightaway.
Much of my blackjack content has been written for Casino.ca, a player-first blog site that connects Canadian players to top-quality online casinos. Casino.ca also puts out info guides on payment methods, responsible gambling measures, Canadian iGaming legislation, and other related topics.
BlackjackReview: On the topic of using game design to create stats-based strategies, has the rise of online casinos changed the nature of blackjack strategy?
Liam: The biggest impact online casinos have had is on the number of rules variants. The vast majority of blackjack tables at land-based casinos still use traditional rules, with perhaps a few tweaks like the number of decks or side bets. But online blackjack titles have introduced new mechanics such as payout multipliers or progressive jackpots.
These variants often have different odds and payouts compared with traditional blackjack, but the process for analysing them is the same. An analyst simply has to start from scratch when approaching these titles.
The bigger shift, more than strategy guides, has been in how online casinos make blackjack more accessible, which should be emphasized in any blackjack content.
BlackjackReview: Obviously online blackjack means players can play the game at any time. Are there more considerations that make a blackjack title “accessible?”
Liam: Portability is the biggest innovation, with many online casinos releasing polished mobile apps so players can sit down at the blackjack table from anywhere, anytime. Mobile compatibility is therefore a must-have for any modern blackjack title. Performance also comes into play as not all users will have a cutting-edge mobile device, so a title needs to run smoothly without lag or crashes even on older smartphones and tablets.
The user interface is another concern for accessibility. Veteran players may know the game of blackjack back-to-front, but newer players benefit from a bit of guidance in the interface. It’s also easy for an interface to become cluttered, a constant reminder that players are at a digital blackjack table. Well-made interfaces are subtle and non-distracting so players can get immersed.
BlackjackReview: A land-based casino with a good reputation is easy to trust, but some players don’t have the same confidence in online casinos. Is this a concern you’ve noticed yourself?
Liam: Absolutely – players are being asked to make a leap of faith and trust in random number generators (RNG) on the assumption online blackjack games aren’t rigged in the casino’s favour. Player trust is hard to earn online. But that’s why regulations are important, to provide third-party oversight and advocate for players.
I always recommend playing at a licensed gambling site. Look for Curaçao, UK, Malta, or Ontario licences as trustworthy regulators. Also see if a casino is eCOGRA certified, which checks for fair and unbiased RNGs, or else certification by a different RNG testing body.
Players need to undertake a frankly overwhelming amount of research to investigate an online casino’s safety. This is one of the reasons I support regulated iGaming markets with local licenses, as regulations and government supervision help weed out predatory casinos.
BlackjackReview: Canada is seeing a new boom in regulated iGaming markets. Can you explain how and why these regulations came about?
Liam: In 2022, the province of Ontario established the country’s first open iGaming market. The whole system is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), with casino operators able to receive a licence from iGaming Ontario if they pass criteria for safety and fairness.
Very quickly, Ontario pushed out semi-legal offshore online casinos that were draining revenue from the province and preying on players. Now, more than 80 gambling sites are available in Ontario, with all revenues reinvested locally. The flipside is that online casinos without an Ontario licence are illegal for Ontarians to play at.
This July, the province of Alberta will be launching its own regulated iGaming market, modeled heavily on Ontario’s successful system. I expect other parts of Canada will do the same in time, but for the moment, it’s up to Ontario and Alberta to iron out any wrinkles on their own.
IMAGE CREDIT: Pixabay.com