Arguably, one of the main purposes of the virtual world is to create digital experiences that are as close as possible to real life. Online shops mimic brick-and-mortar ones; even virtual tours are available in some cases, and customers can “walk around” and find what they need. Video games are all-in into realism with nearly cinematic graphics and physics.
Online casinos also offer a way of bringing the casino floor to one’s home: a “live casino.” Live dealer games allow players to interact with human dealers in an environment that recreates land-based casinos in every possible way. The roulette is real, the cards are real, the dice are real, and players can see the dealer carrying on with the game via an array of cameras.
It looks like a video call, but it’s, in fact, much more than that. Here’s what you need to know about the technologies that make live casinos a safe and exciting option for players.
A Seriously Complex Entertainment
The online casino industry is valued at more than USD 18 billion worldwide, and live casino games are definitely part of this success. A live dealer room involves quite complex technologies, and that’s why not every casino has one. It requires a set of high-definition cameras to capture every angle of the action and a GCU (Game Control Unit) to encrypt video communication.
Still, it’s not enough to ensure the game’s safety and fairness, and there’s more technology involved. Additionally, a dealer never works alone, as cameramen, IT managers, and pit bosses are also required for the task. Here are the main technologies behind live dealer games.
Live Streaming
Cutting-edge live streaming casino games services like those at Live88 require investments in 4K-capable cameras with minimum latency, which ensures smooth gameplay. The more cameras, the better, as different angles provide a much more immersive gaming experience.
Random Number Generators (RNGs)
RGNs are more commonly associated with online games, where an algorithm generates random results at every spin. Human dealers still use such systems, though, for shuffling cards, rolling dice, and spinning roulette wheels. It also allows for verifiable outcomes, and results are protected by high-level encryption, which means they can’t be altered.
Mobile Optimization
Thanks to mobile optimization, Apple and Android users can also enjoy live games. Most players prefer to play casino games on mobile devices, and that’s why platforms have mastered issues like scalability for different screen sizes and a wide variety of hardware. Cloud computing and 5G internet allow mobile users to play with the same functionalities as a PC, creating a seamless user interface.
GCU and OCR
A typical live roulette software is also equipped with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to digitize every card and every spin. The dealer’s moves still generate the results, but recording the results gives more transparency to the entire process. The GCU ensures that the video communication can’t be intercepted.
Popular Games
Nearly every online casino game can go live, even slots. However, cards and table games are the most common options in this case. After all, that’s where dealers are required in brick-and-mortar casinos. The most popular live dealer games are:
- Roulette
- Blackjack
- Baccarat
- Craps
It’s important to notice that the return to player rate (RTP) is the same across online and live games. Despite the results being generated by a human dealer, casino providers have many ways to ensure fairness. For example, the casino can control the supply of physical equipment, such as card shufflers and roulette wheels.
With that in mind, check the average RTP for the games mentioned above. Notice that percentages may change according to game variety and betting choices. Still, that’s what players are likely to find on live casinos.
| Games | Average RTP |
| Roulette | 97.3% |
| Blackjack | Between 99.3% and 99.6% |
| Baccarat | Between 98% and 99% |
| Craps | 98.6% |
The Future of Live Games
Live casino games are already very safe and a lot of fun. Still, there’s always room for improvement, and new technologies keep coming up. Here are some of the tools that will likely be part of the live experience.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and ML have been revolutionizing the digital world, and the online casino industry isn’t immune to their charms. Indeed, their potential here is huge, ranging from smarter chatbots to cybersecurity and fraud detection. For instance, they can identify suspicious behavior from players who may be using software assistance to rig the game.
Blockchain
Blockchain is the latest word in transparency and security, as everything recorded on it is immutable. Crypto casinos are already a reality, and they’re growing fast. They have plenty of live games available and provide much faster transactions.
Virtual Reality
VR is a step further into the world of ultra-realistic games. Indeed, it doesn’t get more immersive than that, as VR headsets create 360-degree virtual worlds, including casino rooms. However, VR-based live games are relatively new, which means there aren’t many of them around yet.
FAQ
How do online casinos ensure fair results in live games?
Only certified professional dealers are allowed to do the task. Additionally, casinos must ensure the quality of physical items, like card shufflers and roulette wheels. All results are recorded and displayed to players via OCR.
What are the main technologies used in live games?
Live dealer games require an array of 4K cameras for ultra-high definition live streaming, a game control unit (GCU), and an OCR system.
What is RTP? Do live and online casino games have the same RTP?
The return to player rate (RTP) refers to the percentage of bets a game returns in prizes. For instance, an RTP of 98% means that USD 98 out of every USD 100 will come back as prizes. However, that’s an estimate based on thousands of rounds, and there’s no way to tell when a prize is going to come, if ever, for any specific player. Online and live games must have the same RTP, as human dealers can’t interfere with the randomness of results.
