Live casino is a real-time, immersive social gambling experience that lets you play with a real human dealer. It’s streamed from a high-quality studio in a real casino, allowing players to feel as though they are sitting in Las Vegas when playing online from the comfort of their home. The games are similar to those played in traditional bricks and mortar casinos with the added benefit of a social aspect thanks to the ability to interact with dealers via a chat option.
Despite the fact that online gaming has come on leaps and bounds over the last two decades, many players still crave that genuine casino experience and this is where live casino comes in. However, it requires much more than just the right technology to be successful. Behind the scenes, it takes a team of people to make the magic happen.
The croupiers in the live casino studios are all human, but they are assisted by some powerful software to keep things running smoothly. This is mainly because the physical transactions done by the croupiers are converted to data which is then paid out automatically through the website or mobile app. This is a key element to the game which distinguishes it from other online casino games such as slots, where the winnings are decided by a computer rather than a person.
A live casino also relies on a number of other pieces of equipment to function correctly. For example, each table has a device called the GCU (Game Control Unit) which is no bigger than a shoebox. The GCU is responsible for encoding the video broadcast and without it, a live game would be impossible to run.
Another important piece of equipment is a studio monitor. This is because live casino games are not only played by a human dealer but also by multiple people. To ensure that all players can play their games properly, the dealer needs to be able to see them and the messages they type into a chat window. The simplest way to do this is by using a studio monitor, which is positioned within the dealer’s line of sight.
The live casino environment is also required to be as realistic as possible, with the croupiers being filmed in a studio that is usually located in a real casino or even on the streets of Las Vegas. This is the only way that it will feel like the real thing to a player and is why it is so popular.
Despite the fact that live casino games are becoming increasingly more popular, it is still a very costly venture to set up an entire studio and employ the staff needed to run it. This is the reason why only the most well-established operators are able to offer this service. However, as technology continues to improve and the cost of setting up a live casino continues to decline, it is likely that more sites will begin offering this option in the future.