Gone are the days when people used to travel long hours to play their favourite games in brick and mortar casinos. Online live dealer games are a relatively new invention in the iGaming market. The fact that you can place wagers from the comfort of your home and get a better payback than in standard online casinos has significantly contributed to the popularity of live casinos.
Where some gamblers believe that only online slot has a solid theoretical Return to Player (RTP), table and card games have possible high returns because of the house edge. Reputable online live dealer casinos are powered by some of the leading software companies in the market such as Microgaming, Net Entertainment, Realtime Gaming, Amaya Gaming, Playtech, and Evolution Gaming.
What makes live dealer games unique is the fact that they are offered in real time and you get to play against real flesh and blood dealers. Also, players are allowed to initiate a conversation with the dealer other gamblers via live chat. Live dealer casinos utilise a special software called Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to translate all the physical moves of the dealer into data. This enables the gamer to enjoy the thrill and fun of a real land-based casino from anywhere in the world.
The downside of running a live dealer casino is that it requires many employees and a considerable capital. This explains why they offer few online casino games compared to traditional casinos. Most live casinos offer online blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and sic bo. All online live dealer casinos are required to have three rooms; the first one for the live studio, the second for housing the software and the third for the analyst.
Nevertheless, this may vary depending on the casino site. This article covers the technology behind online live dealer games and some of the most popular live casinos.
Essential Elements of a Live Dealer Casino
Streaming of live casino games can be done in a land-based casino or a live casino studio. Online casino software developers use the latest cutting edge technology to ensure that all games are streamed flawlessly. Here are some of the essential elements that make it possible to stream live casino game:
Live Cameras
Cameras play one of the crucial functionalities of capturing all the actions in online live casinos. The modern technological advancement has made it possible to build small, powerful HD cameras that are installed in live studios. For instance, live roulette games use three different cameras; one for a game overview, for the spins of the table and the wheel, and lastly one for a picture in picture display.
Human Dealer
The fun and excitement of live casinos are brought to life by the use of real human dealers instead of random number generator software (RNG). With the latest advanced technology such as OCR, players can monitor all the moves and activities of the dealer in real time. Some live casino software developers like Net Entertainment have replaced human dealers with an automated dealer, where you can use the Shuffle Master feature to play faster and more accurately.
Game Control Unit (GCU)
Another vital element in live casinos is the Game Control Unit that is attached to every table. The main work of these devices is to encode all videos that are broadcasted. It assists the dealer in conducting all the activities.
Table and Wheel
As aforementioned, the standard games offered by live casinos are table games. The provider must have tables that correspond with the games being offered. A wheel will also be necessary when playing live roulette variants like European and American. Typically, the roulette wheel is built with sensors which help in converting all the results into readable data.
Monitor
Live dealer casino monitors are designed to help dealers in determining the number of players in the game and what the view on their screens. It also allows dealers in keeping the tracks of the bets that can be stacked and those to be closed. Lastly, it helps players to engage in a conversation with the dealers as well as other punters.
Optical Camera Recognition Technology
The Optical Camera Recognition (OCR) is the latest trends in technology that has to make live dealer casinos a success. The technology keeps track of every small detail on the game tables and the surrounding environment and enables it to be streamed live to players via a video link. The OCR allow all the information to be translated into readable data. Players are also able to place their bets using a console on their computer display screens.
Where are Live Studios Located?
If you are new to online live dealer casino gaming, it is essential to put some details into consideration — one of the critical things in the country where the live studio is located. Most of the games are streamed from brick and mortar casinos while others are available in online live casino sites. Players must as well consider the software company and technology used in offering the games. For example, Microgaming is the leading live casino provider in Canada, and it is responsible for sites like 32Red Casino, Royal Vegas Casino, Betway Casino, and Platinum Play Casino. Players residing in Europe and Asia can play popular titles from Playtech software provider.
The Bottom Line
Online live dealer casinos are a new venture, yet it is rapidly becoming a centre of attraction for many punters from around the world. As such, numerous online casino sites are quickly embracing the practice. The same way you should consider critical details like the quality of live streaming, variety of games, licensing and regulation, types of bonus offers, supported payment options and customer support when selecting, so it is with live dealer casino sites. The compatibility of live casinos with major mobile operating systems like Android and iOS is an added advantage and should as well be prioritised.
