MGM Bonus City, BetMGM’s “Hybrid Dealer” offering, uses pre-recorded dealer footage and RNG outcomes to simulate a live dealer experience. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

BetMGM, in conjunction with Inspired Entertainment, has launched MGM Bonus City, a new type of online casino game called a “Hybrid Dealer” game. Available only in New Jersey at the moment, but soon to hit Pennsylvania and Michigan, it is the only Hybrid Dealer offering in North America.

Hybrid Dealer games combine elements of live dealer and regular internet casino games. Like in live dealer games, there is a human on the screen. The difference, though, is that the human is pre-recorded and not actually dealing the games live. And like standard iGaming, the outcomes are all RNG-based.

To keep it from getting stale, the dealers or hosts are swapped out regularly.

As BetMGM puts it, the Hybrid Dealer technology “seamlessly integrates Virtual CGI, green screen technology and footage of real dealers” to make the online casino experience feel as real as possible. To keep it from getting stale, the dealers or hosts are swapped out regularly.

It is essentially a cost-cutting move while trying to keep the feel of popular live dealer games. The operator doesn’t need to manage and pay for staff and studios around the clock, but is still able to present an experience that mimics a live dealer game well enough to keep customers satisfied.

MGM Bonus City is currently available on desktop, the BetMGM sportsbook app, and Android; an iOS version will be available within a few weeks.