Pragmatic Play Unveils Free Bet Blackjack

Pragmatic Play has introduced Free Bet Blackjack to its live casino lineup while outlining broader expansion plans for 2026, including new studio openings and additional live dealer content.

The newly released blackjack variant adjusts the structure of the traditional table game by allowing players to Double Down and Split without increasing their initial wager. In Free Bet Blackjack, participants may Double Down on hand totals of 9, 10, and 11 at no extra cost. They can also Split pairs free of charge, except when holding 10s, Jacks, Queens, or Kings. Under certain conditions, the game also permits Double Down After Split without additional payment.

The title incorporates the Push on 22 rule, meaning that if the dealer busts with a total of 22, all active player wagers result in a push, aside from hands that have achieved a natural blackjack. Alongside the main game, players have access to side bets such as Perfect Pairs and 21+3, and each round can accommodate up to seven seats.

Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “Free Bet Blackjack enhances the classic table game with the introduction of Double Down and Split options at no additional cost to players, giving them more strategic freedom and ways to win.”

Free Bet Blackjack becomes part of a live blackjack portfolio that includes around 300 tables. The supplier’s Smart Studio customisation technology supports branded environments for operators, and existing titles in the range include Blackjack X, Privé Lounge Blackjack, and Bet Behind Pro Blackjack, each offering Double Down After Split functionality.

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Earlier this year, Pragmatic Play used ICE Barcelona as a platform to present its 2026 product roadmap. The company detailed upcoming developments spanning slots, live casino, arcade games, and sportsbook products, and confirmed that it will continue promoting new releases through the latest edition of its Drops & Wins campaign.

Live Casino remains a focal point of the expansion strategy. Over the past year, the provider has introduced more than 150 new live dealer tables, including 55 localized tables created for specific regional markets. The rollout coincided with the opening of new studios in Serbia and Colombia and the continued deployment of Smart Studio technology, which has enabled the creation of more than 800 customized tables for operator partners.

The company plans to maintain this pace in 2026, with further Live Casino studios scheduled to open, including a new location in Brazil. Additional live titles are already in development.

Among the upcoming releases is Gates of Olympus Roulette, which extends the supplier’s Greek mythology-themed intellectual property into a live roulette format. The title will join other live products highlighted during the roadmap presentation, including Color Game Bonanza, Crystal Roulette, and the newly introduced Flow Blackjack tables. Flow Blackjack applies a contemporary visual design to standard blackjack mechanics while preserving familiar gameplay rules.

Beyond live casino, Pragmatic Play continues to release up to eight new slot titles each month and supplies Bingo and Virtual Sports products through a single API integration. The addition of Free Bet Blackjack and the expansion of its global studio network underscore the supplier’s focus on broadening its live portfolio while reinforcing its multi-product approach heading into 2026.

Source:

“Pragmatic Play Brings More Action And More Rewards With Free Bet Blackjack“, pragmaticplay.com, February 17, 2026.