Online casinos provide the ultimate gaming experience for those looking to place a wager and have some fun online. The technology behind these sites has come a long way in recent years and resulted in the emergence of a new casino experience – the live online casino.
Many of the top casino providers such as Virgin Games now offer live casino games, these are an exciting opportunity to experience the thrill of live action with the comfort and convenience of playing remotely.
If you have yet to play live casino games, you may be wondering how these games differ from the typical ones available on online casino sites. In this post, we explain what live casinos are, how they operate and what to look out for when choosing which games and sites to play on.
So, What Exactly is a Live Casino?
In live casino games, the players interact with a human dealer or game experience manager via a live video stream. The dealer manages the game in real time from a professional studio and the player plays from a computer or smartphone in a location of their choosing.
The player chooses which game they want to play from the site’s game library. They use virtual chips to place bets using the virtual user interface. One of the biggest advantages to this experience when compared with typical online casino gaming is the interactivity.
As play is in real-time, the player can chat with the dealer or with other participants using the chat function. This replicates the social experience offered in traditional brick-and-mortar casinos.
Authenticity is another bonus. While typical online casino games make use of random number generators or RNGs to determine game outcomes, in live games a human dealer is spinning the roulette wheel or shuffling the cards – just as they would in land-based games. This helps to create trust and therefore makes the game more enjoyable and satisfying overall.
Behind the Scenes ─ How Do Live Casinos Work?
To operate a live casino, several pieces of tech are required. One of the most important is the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, which is used to transfer the moves made by the real-life dealer into data.
A camera is needed to act as the eyes of the players and for the software to work. This powerful camera will be set up to live stream the events as they happen. Inside the studio, you will also find a Game Control Unit (GCU), which is responsible for encoding the video data during broadcast.
There will be a monitor for the dealer’s use and other equipment relevant to the game being played, such as a wheel for live roulette. Other members of staff will include a camera operator, management, and tech support.
What to consider when selecting a live casino or live casino game:
Types of Games Available
Firstly, just like you will find in a land-based casino venue, a live casino has a variety of games to play. Some of the most popular include live poker, blackjack, baccarat or roulette.
You might want to look for a site that offers all the types of live games that you are interested in playing for your convenience. If, for example, a site only offered live poker but you also wanted to play blackjack, you would need to go through the registration and deposit process for multiple websites. So, finding one with both types of games will save you time.
The good news is that most live casinos will offer a range of games.
The Game Features
Do the live games on the site have all the features you would like? One feature to look out for is multi-table play, which allows you to participate in more than one game at a time… ideal if you are a great multi-tasker! One feature offered on all games will be the chat function, but you might find that the dealer is more responsive on some sites compared to others.
Promotional Offers and Bonuses
Casino gaming is a very competitive industry and now the more operators are offering live games, there is competition between them to attract and retain players. Have a look at what bonuses and promotions each casino offers and whether they can be redeemed on their live games.
Welcome deposit bonuses are a popular offer, when you deposit cash into your casino account for the first time the casino may ‘top it up’ with a certain amount so that you have more to begin playing with.
Site Security and Reputation
Lastly, the protection of your data online is paramount. Assess each live casino’s security features. Do you need to log on with multi-factor authentication? Is data encrypted and do they offer secure payment options like PayPal? You can check review sites too to see what current players think.
In conclusion, selecting the perfect live casino online entails careful consideration of various factors such as game variety, software providers, bonuses, payment options, customer support, and overall reputation.
By thoroughly assessing these aspects and aligning them with your preferences and priorities, you can ensure a fulfilling and enjoyable gaming experience tailored to your needs.
Remember to prioritize safety and security while exploring the myriad options available, ultimately leading you to find the ideal live casino that meets your expectations and enhances your online gaming journey.