How Live Casinos Operate

Live casinos are one of the latest improvements in the online gaming industry, giving players the chance to enjoy a lifelike gambling experience from the comfort of their own surroundings. All the action is streamed in real time, ensuring a truly unique experience for online gambling buffs. Live games facilitate interaction, allowing you to socialize with dealers and other players just as you normally would in a real land-based casino.

Those of you who are new to live gaming may find the following article by SuperCasinoSites useful. We explain how live casinos operate, giving readers a glimpse inside the live dealer studio and the technology behind it. The article also covers many of the key features readers will find in live casino games, along with a detailed description of the gaming interface.

How Live Casinos Operate in a Nutshell

Live Casinos A live dealer casino can be described as a hybrid between conventional online casinos (i.e. those that run on Random Number Generators) and traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. It borrows several tangible aspects of land-based gaming venues, such as professionally trained human dealers and standard table equipment, including card decks, plastic cut cards, card shufflers, roulette wheels, balls, and dice.

The difference lies in the delivery mechanism. High-end streaming technology and webcams are used to deliver the live action directly to players’ smartphones or desktop computers.

The concept behind live games is simple: a professionally trained dealer sits in a dedicated gaming studio or an actual land-based casino, dealing or hosting the games in front of a state-of-the-art video camera.

This camera (or cameras, as multiple units are typically used) streams everything that happens at the table to a linked interface, enabling the player to observe the action and place wagers accordingly.

Gaming platform providers develop, distribute, and license their live software to third-party licensee casinos, where players can register and fund their accounts to gain access to the live dealer tables. Some of these platform providers specialize exclusively in live casino software, while others create both RNG and live games.

1Main Video Stream

The main video stream gives players a real-time glimpse of the live games as they unfold. It occupies most of the screen, showing dealers shuffling the decks, dealing the cards, and spinning the roulette wheels.

The main gaming controls typically sit beneath the video screen, allowing you to place bets and make your playing decisions. The video quality usually adjusts automatically, although you can manually customize it to suit your system and connection.

2Betting Timer

The betting timer is important because, in live-streamed games, you usually have only a short window to place your bets before the next round begins. Some live tables, like Playtech’s Speed Roulette, have extremely short betting periods, giving players just 11 seconds before the next round starts.

The betting timer shows the current status of the round, indicating when bets are accepted, how much time remains, and when the table closes for wagering.

3Bet Limits Panel

The Bet Limits panel displays the minimum and maximum amounts you can wager at each table. This matters because the same game often comes with different limits to suit a wide range of bankrolls.

In some games, such as live roulette, the minimums and maximums also vary across wager categories. Hover over the table limits to view all stakes for that table. In some cases, you can even pin this information on top of the main video screen.

4Virtual Table Layout

The virtual table layout is where you place the chips for your wagers. In card games like live blackjack, the layout is typically clean, showing only the betting spots and the current totals of your hands. Live games like roulette, by contrast, have more cluttered layouts because they include the grids for inside and outside bets as well as a racetrack for call bets.

5Virtual Chip Display

The virtual chip display lets you select the value of the chips you want to place on the layout. Your current balance and the total value of your bets appear in the corner of the screen. Some platforms, such as Evolution Gaming’s, show only the chip denominations your balance can cover. If you have $250 in your real-money balance, for instance, the $500 and $1,000 chips will be disabled until you top up your account.

Live casino games are more technologically demanding and costlier than their RNG-based counterparts. Operational costs are significantly higher, which explains why such games are rarely available for free play.

This is understandable, considering that everything, from the lighting and the environment to the functionality, must be pitch-perfect to ensure a highly authentic gaming experience. Now, let’s see what technology makes live casinos tick.

High-End Cameras

Game Control Unit (GCU) and Dealer Monitors

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology

Servers and Security Systems

Table Equipment

Types of Live Casino Streams

High-End Cameras

The high-end cameras that bring live action to your computer or mobile screen are an integral element that no live casino can do without. Without them, transmitting the video feed from the dedicated studio to your desktop or mobile device would be impossible.

All reputable live casino software providers deploy multiple state-of-the-art cameras for the same table to give players a closer view from different angles. Keep in mind these are no ordinary cameras. The best suppliers use sophisticated HD and 4K cameras. Their high frame rates allow for slow-motion replays of the action.

Game Control Unit (GCU) and Dealer Monitors

The Game Control Unit (GCU) is an essential component of live dealer games. This small device is attached to each live table. It assists the dealers in running the games and features a built-in sensor that converts information related to the dealt cards or winning roulette numbers into a digital format so that the software can process and display it in the user interface.

The GCU also supports the dealers by providing visual feedback and allowing them to see the bets players place at the table. The dealer monitor is another indispensable piece of equipment. It enables the dealer to see how many players have joined the table and what actions they take, such as hitting, standing, or splitting in live blackjack.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology

The OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is used to transmit all the live action at the table. This technology converts information such as card values and roulette numbers into an electronic format, sending it to players’ computers. The OCR reads the cards dealt at the table, displaying them on your screen in real-time.

Traditionally, live casino games relied on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Each card in the deck had a tiny tag or microchip attached to it. The dealer would then scan each dealt card before placing it on the table so its value could be transmitted to players.

This approach is now obsolete, thanks to OCR technology, which offers an improved user experience. All relevant information, such as the size of your stake, the cards’ values, and your hand total, is shown in real-time. The technology also benefits dealers because they can better monitor gameplay and analyze players’ wagers and hands as they happen.

Servers and Security Systems

Some live dealer casinos rely on in-house servers for data storage, while others prefer cloud solutions. Various security protocols are in place to make live games less susceptible to hacking.

Reliable servers enhance data transmission, making it faster and more efficient. Most cloud-based servers come equipped with security protection, although casinos usually employ additional resources like SSL encryption to further secure their networks.

Table Equipment

The table equipment in live dealer casinos largely mirrors that of their brick-and-mortar counterparts. You can expect to see actual roulette wheels, balls, and dice. Real card packs are used in games like blackjack and baccarat.

The cards are dealt from a shoe because the majority of the games use multiple decks. Dealers either shuffle the packs manually or load them into automatic shufflers or continuous shuffling machines, saving time between reshuffles. Packs remain in circulation for a limited period, normally no more than two weeks, after which they are shredded and discarded to prevent players from identifying them by wear marks.

In games like Sic Bo, the dice are not handled directly by the dealers. Instead, special dice shakers are used to preserve the game’s integrity. Because the dealers never touch the dice, the outcomes cannot be compromised.

Types of Live Casino Streams

Real-time video streaming is what sets live dealer games apart from their RNG-based counterparts. Broadly speaking, live casino games fall into three categories based on the type of video stream they use.

Dedicated studio streams are broadcast directly from the facilities of the software provider that powers the live platform. This is probably the broadest category of live dealer games, offering players many unique table settings. Everything, from the environment to the dealer uniforms, is fully optimized to enhance the player’s live experience.
Land-based casino streams are available at some live dealer casinos, giving you an up-close look at the tables in an actual brick-and-mortar gaming venue. You can see how other players at the land-based table place their bets while you place yours via the virtual interface. Evolution Gaming is renowned for supplying such games, streaming action live from landmark casinos such as London’s Hippodrome and the Ritz Club and Malta’s Dragonara Casino.
Televised casino streams are available at a few select online casinos. Such games are broadcast simultaneously online and on television via dedicated TV channels. They are hosted by presenters and more closely resemble game shows. Players can participate online or over the telephone.

Live dealer games are packed with additional features that aim to further increase the authenticity of the gameplay. Some of these extra functionalities facilitate interaction, while others enable players to better track their results or tailor the gameplay to their preferences.

Chat Facility

Table Customization

History

Favorite Bets

Autoplay

Statistics Panel

Multi-Tabling

Tipping The Dealers

Mobile Play

Chat Facility

The chat facility is one of the most distinctive and essential features of live casinos. Live dealer games would never feel as authentic without this IM functionality, which facilitates communication between dealers and players.

You simply type your message in the chat box, and the dealer responds verbally. Note that the chat box is not intended solely for socializing. Players can also use it for general inquiries about the gameplay and rules. The dealers are always happy to oblige with an answer.

History

The History feature shows you the results of every round you have played, allowing you to better track your gaming activity. Players usually have access to their overall account history, with results categorized by date, game type, wagered amount, and payout. Session histories are also available, displaying information related to a particular gaming session.

Favorite Bets

The Favorite Bets feature is especially useful in games like roulette, where there are countless betting options. It lets you save your preferred wagers or combinations of wagers so you can place them quickly in future rounds. The number of bets you can save depends on the live casino platform. Evolution Gaming, for instance, allows you to save up to 15 favorite wagers, with the option to edit the list whenever you wish.

Statistics Panel

The Statistics panel is available in live roulette, live baccarat, and live Sic Bo. It gives you a detailed look at the results of recent rounds. Roulette players can see the hot and cold numbers along with the percentage of winning numbers from the different dozens and columns.

Baccarat fans have access to scorecards that show trends for the Player and Banker hands. Live Sic Bo games usually feature roadmaps that display patterns of Small, Big, and Triple outcomes.

Multi-Tabling

Multi-tabling is an option for players who crave more live action. It allows you to join several different tables simultaneously and view them all within the same browser window. Leaving one table does not affect your presence at the others. We recommend joining only as many tables as your screen can accommodate without compromising the accuracy of your betting and playing decisions.

Mobile Play

Live casino games are optimized for smartphones and tablets, allowing players to join the action on the fly. In most cases, you do not need to download additional apps to take a seat at a live table because most live casinos rely on instant play, letting you load the live lobby in your mobile browser. Of course, there are exceptions, as some operators offer free downloadable apps for iOS and Android.

1Choosing a Table

Selecting a table in the lobby is your first step. Base your choice on your bankroll and the bet size you feel comfortable with. Overbetting can quickly drain your balance.

Thankfully, table limits are usually flexible enough for all budgets, and they are shown in each game’s thumbnail. After choosing a game, click its thumbnail, then select the “Sit Here” button to take a seat. Your screen name will appear beneath your spot. Games like live roulette can host an unlimited number of players.

2Adjusting The Video Quality

Adjusting the video quality may be necessary if your internet connection falls below the platform’s recommended requirements. As a rule of thumb, a connection under 500 kbps can cause lags or interruptions. The stream quality usually adjusts automatically, but you can change it manually if problems persist. In most cases, you can choose between low, medium, and HD quality.

3Adjusting Your Bet Size

The next step is adjusting your bet size. Select from various chip values and combine them to set your wager. The most common denominations are 1, 5, 25, 100, 500, and 1,000 units in the supported currency. Remember that larger denominations are disabled if your balance cannot cover them.

4Posting Bets

Posting bets is straightforward thanks to the intuitive interfaces most live casino platforms provide. Select your preferred chip denomination, then place your chips in the corresponding betting box on the virtual layout. Click repeatedly to increase your stake by the value of the chosen chip.

For example, if you use the $5 chip, three clicks place a $15 wager. Remember, you have only limited time between rounds to place your bets. Watch the timer to see how much time remains before the table closes for wagering.

5Doubling Your Bets

The Double Bet option becomes available after you have placed at least one wager. It usually appears as “2x,” so it is easy to spot. Progressive bettors find it useful because it automatically doubles their last stake. Each additional click doubles all wagers on the table up to the maximum limit. Naturally, you need enough real-money balance to cover the increased amount.

6Repeat the Bet

Want to repeat the bet you placed in the previous round? You can do so without manually stacking chips in the betting box. The Repeat Bet button handles it for you and is especially helpful when you placed multiple wagers in the last round, as often happens in Sic Bo or roulette. The feature deactivates if you place a chip manually. It is very convenient for flat bettors and system players.

7Bet Settling

Bet settlement is handled automatically by the live casino software at the end of each round. The dealer also announces the result and congratulates the winners. The software deducts any losses from your balance or credits your winnings when the round is favorable.

Have a question about this topic? Ask an expert at info@supercasinosites.com

Find the answers of questions people asked so far:

Do Live Casino table games also have pit bosses and what is their function?

Asked by: Debra | Asked on: 2023-06-18

Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-06-18

You may be surprised to learn that live dealer casino games also have pit bosses. You may not notice them because they usually remain outside the camera’s view of the dealer and table layout. A pit boss can be called whenever an issue arises with the live dealer game. Players can also request a pit boss, but only in specific situations; simply being unlucky is not enough. If the dealer makes a mistake, they will call the pit boss immediately, but if players spot the error first, they can also request the pit boss’s intervention. The pit boss is also the person to contact if you experience technical issues such as being unable to join a table, place a bet, or if you are timed out of a game while actively playing.

If my betting choices on Live Casino games are made independently from other players’ decisions, how do games correctly show the result for my particular bet?

Asked by: Michael | Asked on: 2023-08-06

Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-08-07

Live casino studios use various technologies that make the gaming experience unique and personalized for every player. While you play live roulette, live baccarat, live game shows, or any other live dealer game with other players, you see only the result that matches your own betting choice.

For example, in live roulette the dealer spins the wheel and the ball lands in a numbered pocket, producing the same base result for everyone in the session. Whether that outcome is a win or a loss for you depends on the bet you placed before the spin. RFID sensors record the ball’s movement and the data is saved in a database. The system then cross-references the result with your bets, and your payout or loss is calculated accordingly.

When you play live slots, a bonus feature may be triggered, but you will participate in the bonus round only if your choices activated it. Often, you must wait for free spins or other bonus rounds to finish before you can continue with the live slot.

It is not unusual for the host of a live game show to know that a multiplier bonus has been activated without seeing the exact multiplier, as it may differ for every player in the game. Thanks to the technology behind the scenes, what you see on the screen always matches your bets. Even if this sounds confusing, once you start playing live games and shows you will notice how easy it is to track your wins and losses.

Are all live games of the same software provider streamed from the same Live Casino Studio?

Asked by: Bruce | Asked on: 2023-09-27

Answered by: Dan | Answered on: 2023-09-28

Not necessarily. Some smaller software providers have only a few live casino studios, which they use to stream their live dealer games. Major providers, however, operate multiple studios around the world. This allows them to serve more markets, reaching players in many regions. For example, Evolution Gaming operates numerous studios across several European countries, as well as in Canada and a few U.S. states.

With so many live casino studios, big companies can offer a wide range of table games, game shows, live slots, and other exciting live titles. Some studios even have tables dedicated to international players, with dealers who speak different languages to ensure a smooth experience. In addition to their own studios, some providers also stream from real land-based casinos, broadcasting roulette, blackjack, and other table games directly from popular casino floors.