Hollywood Casino owner PENN Entertainment has introduced Multiplayer Blackjack at its New Jersey online casino. Developed by PENN Game Studios, the company’s in-house developer, Multiplayer Blackjack combines social gaming with elements of a live casino.
The game is now live at Hollywood Casino in New Jersey, but once it receives regulatory approval, it will also be available in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Hollywood Casino is currently available through Penn’s ESPN Bet app, but the company expects to introduce a standalone casino app in early 2025.
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What’s Multiplayer Blackjack?
The new game allows users to create private tables to play with friends or join public tables through a lobby. The social element is highlighted by various features, including side bets and bespoke emote cards to react to action through play.
In addition, Multiplayer Blackjack features a viewer mode, allowing up to 999 spectators. Viewers can observe active tables and use the Bet Behind feature to support active players’ hands. Experienced players can also take advantage of features like Lightning tables and Early Lock-in. Betting limits are a minimum of $1, up to $5,000. Furthermore, the RTP is 99.57%, right around the average for blackjack.
In a statement, Jason Birney, PENN Interactive’s VP of Operations, highlighted the game’s social aspect. He added,
By nature, blackjack is a communal game and this new multiplayer option was built to replicate the feeling of sitting at a live casino table. Multiplayer Blackjack is another fun and engaging iCasino game developed by our incredibly accomplished PENN Game Studios team. Having an in-house team is an important asset as we work to introduce compelling new games and differentiate our online casino product.
The launch of Multiplayer Blackjack in New Jersey follows Penn’s earlier rollout of bespoke games in Michigan through a partnership with Light & Wonder. They included another in-house developed title, Lucky Cat Baccarat. That could signal that Penn is likely focusing on growth by offering innovative and exclusive gaming experiences.
Are Social Features the Future of Online Casinos
With Multiplayer Blackjack, Penn is jumping on board the trend of making online gambling a social experience. Live dealer games have grown in popularity in recent years and are the go-to product for players looking for social interaction. However, they have high overhead for the operator and therefore tend to demand high minimum bets, which can make them inaccessible to casual players.
Operators are increasingly exploring alternative ways to increase player engagement, especially among younger and more casual players. Converting single-player games to multi-player could be one solution, as bet-behind features create camaraderie.
Other companies are looking in the same direction, sometimes with the addition of live streaming features. One of those companies, Livespins, was acquired by live dealer supplier Evolution in February. Livespins’ product offers players the option to bet behind other slots players but combines that concept with slots streams by social media influencers.
While not yet available in the US, the product allows a streamer or celebrity guest to play slots on a live stream directly in the casino app, while viewers wager on the outcome of the spins, winning when the streamer does. Viewers can also engage with each other through the chat option.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, PlayStar Casino introduced Casino Stream, a livestream broadcast available on Twitch and YouTube. For New Jersey viewers aged 21 and older, the stream offers an added incentive: the chance to win cash prizes. Participants must simply comment with their username in the chat when prompted to qualify.
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