At Parx Casino, familiar sounds of slot machines and victory celebrations fill the air. However, tucked away in a quieter section of the building, a different kind of casino experience unfolds. Beyond the “authorized personnel only” doors, up a few flights of elevators, and past security guards, lies Playtech’s live-dealer studio. Here, blackjack and roulette games are dealt by real dealers for real money, but with no physical customers present.
Operating 24/7 year-round, Playtech’s Bensalem, Pennsylvania studio is one of three in the United States. Unlike traditional casinos, this studio resembles a television set. Boom mics hang from the ceiling, lights are carefully positioned, and cables, cameras, and monitors surround the small, 286-square-foot space. Despite its compact size, this studio hosts five gaming tables, giving the illusion of a spacious casino to viewers placing bets through the betParx or BetRivers apps.
This blend of physical and digital gambling offers an experience that’s both modern and reminiscent of classic casinos. Gia Reece, who transitioned from nursing to casino management in 2014, now oversees operations at Playtech’s newest studio in Pennsylvania. Her journey began in the Philippines, where she initially joined Playtech as a pit boss before moving to the U.S. in 2020. Reece’s role involves managing projects, IT, compliance, and most critically, hiring dealers.
Reece emphasizes the importance of personality in her hires, stating, “The personality is the product. It’s not the casino games. Skills, you can train. But personality, that’s something within them.” Dealers like “Allison,” who use stage names, appreciate the safer environment compared to traditional casinos, where intoxicated patrons can sometimes be aggressive.
Top Blackjack casinos
