Published by Programme B
Live gaming is transforming the online gambling industry, bringing the thrill of the casino directly to your door
Live casino games are one of the latest innovations in the world of gaming and over the last few years, it has become the pinnacle of online gambling; offering customers the thrill of a real casino from the comfort of their own home whilst revolutionizing the gambling industry.
Predominantly based around popular table games, live casino games mix aspects of 3D gaming with human dealers. This means that all hands dealt, card shuffling and physical transactions are made in real-time by a professional croupier; giving players that personal touch that has been missing in online gaming.
Alongside increasing the realism of gameplay, live technology has helped to increase the social aspect in 2020. Gamers are able to chat and engage directly with the dealer, whilst in recent years technology has evolved to allow players to now interact with each other too.
What games are available?
The main base of all live casino games is traditional table-based games that you would find in a physical casino. One of the most popular is live roulette, with the game being played by thousands of gamers every minute of the day.
Nearly all of the online gaming giants are now offering a seamless live game experience for their players and some of the most common games on the market include:
- Live Roulette
Once entering a table, players are met with a real-life dealer and roulette table. With a set time to make a bet, the dealer will then spin the wheel once all bets are placed. Why do players love it so much? According to the live roulette guide by CasinoNow the social aspect and sharing the experience with other players is one of the biggest attractions.
- Live Baccarat
One of the first live casino games to hit the market, live baccarat follows the same rules as the real-life version and online players are able to interact and chat with a real dealer; who is responsible for taking and placing the bets.
- Live Blackjack
Another very social game, live blackjack follows the same format as the table game with real dealers managing bets and dealing cards.
- Live Poker
One of the most popular games in the world, online poker has been a big success story and the live version is offering that same seamless gameplay with a human dealer.
- Other Games
The world of live gaming is constantly welcoming new additions, from various styles of poker to even live game shows like Deal or No Deal!
What technology is used in live gaming?
The growing popularity of live gaming is seeing more casino providers move into the market, however, in order to do so, it requires a lot of investment. In order to successfully operate a live casino online, it requires a studio, camera crew, dealers, IT staff and a pit boss.
For each table, there have to be multiple cameras covering the table/wheel, dealer, bets and also the picture-in-picture abilities. There then has to be a Game Control Unit, which encrypts and encodes all the content (in less than a second) before streaming it to player’s computers.
The dealer themselves need to have all the skills usually required, and their every move is tracked by smart cards to ensure complete fairness. There is also a monitor which allows them to view whose move is next, and instruct them on what is needed.
The streaming software used is developed for online gaming and is compatible for use on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. The most important however is the security systems on the servers and the cloud-based storage facilities, which need to be able to withstand cyberattacks.
The future of casino gaming?
Live casino games have had a huge impact on the online gaming world as players seek a more authentic gameplay experience.
As technology continues to evolve, gamers are going to be able to enjoy smoother and faster gameplay as well as a wider choice of game to play. With the rise of virtual reality, some experts are suggesting that VR casinos could be the next big step on the horizon.
Photo by Chevanon Photography from Pexels