Remember a couple of decades ago, when Snake was the most popular game on a smartphone? Time has changed, and video games have become an incredible experience with stunning graphics, realistic sound effects and video sequences, and sophisticated storytelling.
It's fair to say that no only have video games developed but so have casino games. Players expect more than spinning reels. They want to emerge into an exciting gambling adventure, all from the comfort of their homes.
Despite video slots and table games continuously getting better and meeting those expectations, live casino games are among the most popular ones with players. Playing at a live casino means interacting directly with the dealer, who is streamed to you in real-time. It means feeling like you're in Las Vegas when, in fact, you're sitting at your kitchen table.
What does it require from an operator perspective to get such technology and experience off the ground? Let's take a look behind the scenes!
How Live Casinos Work: Technology and Dealers
Software providers stream their live casino games from all over the world. Some of them have studios in the Philippines, Latvia, Spain, Costa Rice, Malta, and Ireland. The game developers tend to offer two options to online casinos; license their games 'as they are' and provide it to their players or rent out tables in their live stream studios. Online Casinos that partner with Evolution Gaming and choose the second option are allowed to put their branding on the tables and tailor the live experience even further.
Of course, the experience rises and falls with the live dealers, so it should come to no surprise that they have to undergo intense training to learn the rules of popular casino games and understand the current rules and laws regarding gambling. Equally important is that they capture the attention of the player and make them feel the vibe of the casino.
The dealers sit at live casino tables and are filmed playing the game in real-time by several powerful cameras. They tend to provide players with different views of the game and are strong enough to support the constant live stream. During play, live dealers have a monitor they watch, which allows them to see what is displayed on player screens. It also allows them to follow the bets made and view messages from players which they can then answer in the stream.
One of the most exciting aspects of live casino games is that cameras have integrated Optical Camera Recognition (OCR). This technology records every detail made by the dealer and translates all the cards, numbers and symbols during the game into data which is sent to the player and displayed on their screen. This technology also allows the live casino software to recognise which players have lost or won and immediately deduct or award winnings.
As you can imagine, all of this can make running a live casino incredibly expensive. This is why there are so few live game providers, with the most popular three being Evolution Gaming, NetEnt and Playtech.
Evolution Gaming is the most widely-known and offers the biggest range of live games including roulette, blackjack, poker games, sic bo and much more. Most modern-day online casinos offer live games from Evolution Gaming, but some sites may offer a wider collection of live games than others.
This is why it's a good idea to read reviews to find an online casino that offers the best selection of live games. This can help you find an online casino that offers your favourite games and allows you to play on mobile devices. Some live casino sites also provide you with special bonuses that can only be used on live games, so keep an eye out for them.
Ultimately, live casinos are a great way to experience an authentic casino without ever having to leave your home. They're available at any time and much more fun to play than regular online table games as they provide you with a chance to play and interact with an actual person. What's not to like?
