A few decades ago, you had to visit a land-based casino to gamble. These establishments are still there and are an attraction to many gamblers; however, they are losing customers to online casinos. Established in 1994, online casinos come with many advantages that you cannot find in a land-based casino, with the biggest being the ability to play at several casinos from the comfort of your home.
Although online casinos offer convenience, some people still prefer playing in a real-life casino environment, something that cannot be offered by gambling sites. This is where online live dealer casino comes in. These casinos bridge the gap between land-based casinos and online casinos by creating a platform that gives real-time gambling experience to gamblers from anywhere in the world. Online live casinos are new in the gambling industry, but more and more casinos are adopting this option.
Like regular online casinos, live dealer casinos rely on software from online gaming software developers to power the platform. There are a number of online live dealer casino software companies that have established themselves leading providers in this niche. They include NetEnt (Net Entertainment), Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, and Amaya Gaming.
How to Play At a Live Online Casino
The dealer is first filmed at the live casino studio. The OCR software captures the image and transmits it to all the players participating in the game. Then players place their wagers and the dealer asks them to provide more information before the bets can be processed by the casino.
The dealer then announces that there can be no further wagers and that the game begins. Cameras are used to capture the results. If the players have any concern or issue, they can ask the dealer who will respond in real time and provide solutions. Players are also be able to see the results instantly on their screens, including winners and losers.
Features of a Live Online Casino
There are three main features of a live casino:
- A live studio where the casino games are streamed
- Software that handles all the technicalities of the game and provide feed
- An analyst’s areas
The features may be more than three depending on the developer that provided the software. Games can be streamed in a location-based or live casino studio. Advanced technology is used to ensure live feed reaches players anywhere they are in the world with no interruption. Here are the main aspects used in live casinos:
- Web cameras
Cameras play an important role in ensuring the best live casino experience as they are used to capture the action at the studio. Large cameras were initially used to stream the games but today we are seeing smaller models. In most cases, more than three cameras are used to give gamblers a better view of the game from different angles.
Optical Camera Recognition software is used these days to improve user-experience. This technology allows players to get a better view of every element of the casino studio. In addition, it has low latency programs that eliminate interruptions from stray networks. Some of the leading developers in the industry, such as Evolution Gaming and Net Entertainment, have adopted this technology.
- A real human dealer
It’s called a live casino mainly because it involves a real human dealer. With a real dealer, players get the feel of a real casino in a land-based casino. Advancements in technology have made it possible to track all the moves by made by the dealer to ensure that there is no fishy business going on at the live casino studio. An Optical Character Recognition device translates the cards dealt into data and transmits the hands to players on the other end.
Although most software developers include live dealers with their software, some have an option that allows players to substitute a live dealer with an automated dealer. A good example is Net Entertainment live casino software which allows players to shuffle master in some of its table games for more accurate and faster gameplay.
- Game control unit
This is one of the most important aspects of a live casino. The role of this unit is to help to conduct the gameplay by allowing the dealer to encode the feed before being delivered to the players.
- Wheel and table
Table games are the most common type of casino games streamed at live casinos. So, tables that look like the real tables used in real table games are important components of a live casino. A wheel is also required to play the different variations of roulette. Both wheel and table feature advanced technologies that make it possible to convert data and transmit it to players.
- Display monitor
Display monitors are used to help the dealer know the number of players in the game and what they are viewing in real time. The monitors help them to determine when to make a move when it comes to placing bets.
Conclusion
Despite being new in the gambling industry, live casinos are increasingly becoming a popular and most preferred form of gambling for a majority of gambling enthusiasts around the world. As a result, many online casinos have adopted this practice. Like regular online casinos, players are required to keep in mind a number of factors. First, they need to ensure that their potential live casino offers high-quality video streams without interruption. Secondly, the live casino must be licensed and regulated by a reputable licensing body. You can also not rule out the fact that many people today spend so much time on their phones; therefore, the compatibility of the online casino with mobile devices is a big plus.