Live Casinos: How it Works and the Technology Used

Live casinos are getting bigger and better by the day and one of the main reasons for our passion for live dealer games is that there are new live lobbies opening up every day for New Zealand players. If we would need to recommend one gaming category at KiwiGambler it would undoubtedly be the live dealer lobby as this is the main place for New Zealand gamblers to find the ultimate experience.

With the introduction of video streaming services and the increasing distribution of high-quality internet connections, online operators can now virtually offer the same experience players are used to in land-based casinos. Interestingly, players can expect winnings that are comparable or often even bigger to brick and mortar venues. Still, live casinos are taken for granted by most online visitors, but the technology behind them is actually quite something. For all of you who’ve been wondering how this works, here’s an inside look.

Interactiveness

Live dealer casinos are the response to online casino’s move to RNG lobbies instead of land-based gaming tables. People were missing the human touch they were familiar with in brick-and-mortar settings which is both due to the lack of other players at the table and the dealer. Live dealer casinos have partially taken care of the lacking human touch by introducing human dealers that connect with players at home via real-time streaming. 

In case players have questions or need help or assistance, live chat is among the available functions, while croupiers also guide players through the game by making verbal announcements. The physical transactions made by the dealer are translated into data via the Optical Character Recognition (OCR)-software, which is one of the many technologies integrated into live dealer games. The latter enables the player to take part in the casino action making it feel like he or she is surrounded by a land-based casino environment. Other than RNG games, the outcome is taken care of by real dealers instead of computer driven generators that present the games on your screen. It is fair to say that it’s hard to beat the interactiveness of live games. 

Staff and technology

With games hosted and presented by real human dealers, staff is also required to be able to offer the games. This isn’t only limited to the game host or dealer in front of the camera, but also all the other people behind the screen that make it possible for the game to be offered. The average live dealer studio works with a cameraman, a tech guy, croupiers that play multiple games and master different languages. This is also why live dealer casinos don’t offer free casino games and players are required to make real money casino bets. It also explains why there are fewer live promos. Live dealer casinos are expensive to run, but they are definitely worth it. Most of the NZ casinos feature games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat available in addition to the newest generation of game shows. 

The Technology Used in Live casinos

Live dealer casino studios can be fully dedicated to one certain game or can house different types of games in the same studio which is why live casinos tend to come with different sections. The exact setup of the studio may vary from operator to operator.

Cameras

As live dealer casinos stream from their studio, cameras play a fundamental role to bring the image to one’s mobile phone or desktop screen. This is done with high-end cameras with the newest generation games being presented in 4K or at least HD. Different camera angles will make sure the player won’t miss any of the action with the goal to provide the player with a complete overview of the table, giving them the possibility to switch between the cameras and zoom in or out.  Most cameras show the action in HD, while some providers have started with 4K. A lot of devices of players are still not able to deal with 4K making the introduction of 5K not very likely for the time being.

Game Control Unit

The Game Control Unit (also referred to as the GCU) is one of the most important parts of the live dealer casino. Every table one will find in the live dealer studio has a so-called GCU attached to it which is basically a device the size of a shoe box. This device encodes the video that is streamed to the visitors of the casino. Although the GCU’s size is rather small, its role is crucial. The GCU is seen as the expert assisting the croupier who presents the game. 

Gaming Wheel

Some games include a wheel as well which is typically the case for roulette games, but also for Wheel of Fortune-games, and other game shows. The latter category has become increasingly popular in recent years, giving players a real show, focusing on entertainment and fun. Like live dealer casinos, game shows were also introduced by Evolution and many manufacturers of live casino configuration and/or game wheels work with integrated sensors in the wheels while the casino software interacts with them and makes sure that prizes get awarded and players make their wins. These winnings are then added to a player’s casino balance.

Human dealer

As mentioned above, croupiers are mainly responsible for handling the game. The idea behind the dealer’s role is that the ambiance of a land-based casino floor is brought to the player’s screen. Ideally, players shouldn’t feel a big difference between an online setting and an authentic game as played in a brick-and-mortar venue. This also means that the average dealer is experienced, socially skilled, and should make you feel as welcome as in any land-based casino. Every dealer gets trained for the live dealer action as there are some differences with handling the game as in a real casino. Live dealer casino croupiers aren’t always interchangeable for dealers from a land-based casino, while the opposite is also true. 

Monitor

The monitor displays what visitors at home see on their screens, this is done for all devices. Most cameras work with so-called “blind spots” that make it possible to avoid being shown in the action, but most dealers and elements involved in a live game are continuously shown on the screen of all players that have joined the table. Although dealers can be seen via a camera, players at home aren’t shown to the dealer, nor to other players that joined the table. As mentioned earlier, in most newer generation games, players and dealers can communicate via a live chat box making it still possible to share thoughts. Some games let the player only communicate with the dealer, others let them communicate amongst themselves as well. 

So what does the player need to join the action?

This brings us to a grasp of the elements which are needed to get involved in the action from a player’s perspective. Players will need a reliable internet connection and a device that can handle the action that is usually streamed in HD. Most modern smartphones will do the trick, while a Wifi connection is always advised instead of a mobile connection to join a live table at a new casino. In emerging countries, live dealer casinos are therefore less popular than in developed nations, explaining why not everyone is yet familiar with live dealer games. 

With most people in NZ having both access to high-quality devices and the internet, this shouldn’t be a problem for players that are based in New Zealand. In order for players to join the live dealer action, it is always recommended to make use of a casino bonus as a live dealer always expects the player to make a real money wager. For the same reason, KiwiGambler also advises its players to learn the game rules for their preferred live dealer game. Make sure to enjoy the fun and always play responsibly.