Live casinos are one of the latest improvements in the online gaming industry, giving players the chance to enjoy a life-like gambling experience from the comfort of their surroundings. All the action is streamed in real-timeis, ensuring a truly unique experience for online gambling buffs. Live games facilitate interaction, allowing you to socialize with the dealers and other players just like you would normally do in a real landbased 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. Also covered extensively are many of the key features readers will find in live casino games along with a detailed description of the gaming interface.

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How Live Casinos Operate in a Nutshell
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 landbased gaming venues, such as the professionally trained human dealers and standard table equipment including card decks, plastic cut cards, card shufflers, roulette wheels, balls, and dice.
The difference here lies in the delivery mechanism. High-end streaming technology and web cameras are utilized to remotely deliver the live action to the screens of players’ smartphones or desktop computers.
The concept behind live games is rather simple – a professionally trained dealer is sitting somewhere in a dedicated gaming studio or an actual landbased casino, dealing or hosting the games in front of a state-of-the-art video camera.
Said camera (or shall we say cameras as many of those are typically used) streams all that is happening at the table to a linked interface that enables the player to observe the action and post 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 the development of live casino software while others create both RNG and live games.
The Live Casino Interface
1Main Video Stream
The main video stream gives players a real-time glimpse into the live games as they are being conducted. It occupies most of the screen space, showing how the dealers shuffle the decks, deal the cards, and spin the roulette wheels.
The main gaming controls are usually positioned under the video screen allowing you to post bets and indicate your playing decisions. The quality of the video stream is often automatically adjusted although players normally have the option to manually customize it according to their individual system and connectivity specifications.
2Betting Timer
The betting timer is important because, in lived-streamed games, you usually have a limited time to post your bets before the next round of play commences. Some live tables like Playtech’s Speed Roulette have incredibly short betting times, with players having only 11 seconds before the next round starts.
The betting timer informs you about the current status of a given game round by showing you when bets are accepted, how much time you have left, and when the table is no longer open for wagering.
3Bet Limits Panel
The Bet Limits panel indicates the minimum and maximum amounts players are permitted to bet at each table. This is important because often the same type of game is available with different table limits to accommodate a broader range of player budgets.
Note that in some games like live roulette, for example, the allowed minimums and maximums also differ between the different categories of supported wagers. You need to hover your cursor over the table limits to reveal all minimums and maximums for the respective table. In some cases, you have the option to pin this information on top of the main video screen.
4Virtual Table Layout
The virtual table layout is where you post the chips for your wagers. In card games like live blackjack, the layout is usually rather clean as it only features the betting spots where chips are posted along with the current totals of your hands. Live games like roulette, on the other hand, have more cluttered virtual layouts because they contain the table layouts for inside and outside wagers along with a racetrack for the call bets.
5Virtual Chip Display
The virtual chip display enables players to select the value of the chips they want to wager on the layout. Your current balance and the value of your total bet(s) are displayed in the screen’s corner. Some platforms, like the one created by Evolution Gaming, only display chip denominations covered by your current balance. If you presently only have $250 in your real-money balance, the $500 and $1,000 chips will be deactivated until you refund your account.
The Technology behind Live Dealer Games
Live casino games are more technologically challenging, not to mention 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 everything, from the lightning and the environment to the functionality, has to be pitch-perfect to ensure a highly authentic gaming experience. Now, let’s see what technology makes live casinos tick.
High-End Cameras
The high-end cameras that bring the live action to your computer or mobile screen are an integral element no live casino can do without. Without them, it would be impossible to transmit the video feed from the dedicated studio to your desktop or mobile device.
All reputable providers of live casino software 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 live software suppliers deploy sophisticated HD and 4K cameras. The frame rates are very high to facilitate slow-motion replays of the live action.
Game Control Unit (GCU) and Dealer Monitors
The Game Control Unit (GCU) is an essential element of live dealer games. This is a small device attached to each live table. It assists the live dealers in running the games. It features a small built-in sensor that decodes the information related to the dealt cards or the winning roulette numbers into a digital format so that the software can process and reflect it in the user interface.
The GCU also facilitates the live dealers. It provides them with visual support and allows them to see the bets players post at the table. The dealer monitor is another essential piece of live-casino equipment. The monitor enables the dealer to see how many players have currently joined the respective table and what playing decisions they exercise like hitting, standing or splitting in live blackjack, for example.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology
The OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is implemented to transmit all the live action that is happening at the table. This technology converts all the information related to card values and roulette numbers into an electronic format, transmitting it to players’ computers. The OCR is used to read the cards dealt at the table, displaying them on your screen in real-time.
Traditionally, live casino games required the implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Each card from 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 that its value could be transmitted to players.
This approach is now obsolete thanks to the OCR technology, which allows for an improved user experience. All the relevant information, like the size of your stake, the cards’ values, and your hand total, is shown in real-time. The technology also works to the benefit of the dealers since they are better able to monitor the gameplay and analyze players’ wagers and hands in real-time.
Servers and Security Systems
Some live dealer casinos implement in-house servers for data storage while others prefer to use cloud storage. Various security protocols are in place to make the live games insusceptible to hacking.
Reliable servers enhance data transmission, making it faster and more efficient. The majority of the cloud-based servers come equipped with security protection although casinos would usually use additional resources like the SSL encryptions to further improve the safety of their networks.
Table Equipment
The table equipment in live dealer casinos largely coincides with that in their brick-and-mortar equivalents. What you can expect to see here are actual roulette wheels, balls, and dice. Real packs are used in card games like blackjack and baccarat.
The cards are dealt out of a shoe since the majority of the games use multiple decks. The dealers would either shuffle the packs manually or load them into automatic shufflers or continuous shuffling machines to save time between the reshuffles. Packs remain in circulation for a limited period, normally no more than two weeks, after which time they are shredded and disposed of. This is to prevent players from recognizing their values by marks resulting from overuse.
In games like Sic Bo, the dice are not directly handled by the dealers. Special dice shakers are used, instead, for the sake of preserving the game’s integrity. Since the dealers never even touch the dice, the outcomes can never be compromised.
Types of Live Casino Streams
Real-time video streaming is what sets live dealer games apart from their RNG-based counterparts. In the main, it is possible to distinguish between three distinct categories of live casino games depending on the type of video stream they use.
- Dedicated studio streams are broadcast directly from the facilities of the software provider supplying the live platform. This is probably the broadest category of live dealer games, with players having a choice from many unique table settings. Everything, from the environment to the dealer uniforms, has been fully optimized to enhance the live experience of the player.
- Landbased casino streams are available at some live dealer casinos, giving you an up-close glimpse at the tables in an actual brick-and-mortar gaming venue. You get to see how other players at the landbased table post their bets while you place yours via the virtual interface. Evolution Gaming is famed for supplying such games, streaming the 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 few select online casinos. Such games are broadcast simultaneously online and on television, via dedicated TV channels. They are hosted by presenters and bear a closer semblance to game shows. Players can participate in the action online or over the telephone.
Key Live Casino Features
Live dealer games are packed with additional features that aim at further increasing 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
The chat facility is easily one of the most distinctive and essential features incorporated into live casinos. Live dealer games would never be as authentic had it not been for their IM functionality, which facilitates the communication between dealers and players.
You type in whatever you have to say in the chat box and the dealer responds to you verbally. Note that the chat box is not intended solely for socialization. Players can also use it for general inquiries related to the gameplay and the rules. The dealers are always happy to oblige with an answer.
Table Customization
There are options for table view customization, enabling players to switch between several camera angles. Evolution Gaming, for example, gives you a choice from three distinct table views – 3D, classic, and immersive.
History
The History feature shows you the results of all rounds you have participated in, allowing you to better track your gaming activity. Players usually have access to their overall account history, with the results categorized by dates, game types, wagered amounts, and payouts. Session histories are available, showing you information related to a particular gaming session of yours.
Favorite Bets
The Favorite Bets feature is particularly useful in games like roulette where there is a proliferation of betting options. This functionality enables you to save your preferred wagers or combinations of wagers so you can conveniently place them during future rounds. The number of bets you can save depends on the live casino platform. The Evolution Gaming software allows you to save up to 15 of your favorite wagers, with the option to edit the list whenever you wish.
Autoplay
The Autoplay feature enables players to automatically repeat their selected wager(s) for a given number of rounds. This functionality is predominantly available in games like live roulette and live Sic Bo. Note that you need to place the bet(s) you want to repeat before you activate the feature.
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 the more recent game rounds. Roulette players get to 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, showing them the trends for the Player and Banker hands. Live Sic Bo games commonly feature roadmaps that display the 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 see them all within the same browser window. Leaving a table will not affect your presence at other tables you have joined. We recommend you only join as many tables as your screen can accommodate without affecting the accuracy of your betting and playing decisions.
Tipping The Dealers
Tipping the dealers is made possible in some live casino platforms. This is a good way to show your appreciation of the highly professional and friendly service live dealers commonly provide.
Mobile Play
Live casino games are optimized for smartphones and tablets, allowing players to join the live action on the fly. In principle, there is no need to download additional apps to take a seat at a live table since most live casinos rely on instant play, enabling you to load the live lobby in your mobile browser. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule as some gaming operators offer free downloadable apps for iOS and Android.
Live Casino Gameplay
1Choosing a Table
Choosing a table in the lobby is the first step you must go through. Your choice should be based on your bankroll and the bet sizing you feel comfortable with. The last thing you should do is overbet your live casino bankroll as this could quickly leave you with a depleted balance.
The good news is table limits are usually flexible enough to accommodate all budgets. The table limits are displayed in the thumbnail of each game. Once you make a pick, click on your chosen game’s thumbnail and then on the “Sit Here” button to take a seat. Your preferred screen name will appear directly beneath your seat. Games like live roulette can accommodate an unlimited number of players.
2Adjusting The Video Quality
Adjusting the video quality may be necessary if your Internet connection is not on par with the platform’s recommended requirements. As a rule of thumb, any connection under 500 kbps will cause you to experience lags or interruptions. The stream’s quality is often adjusted automatically but you have the option to change it yourself if you happen to experience any lags. In the main, you have a choice from low, medium, and HD quality.
3Adjusting Your Bet Size
The next step is adjusting your bet size. You can choose from different chip values and combine them to adjust your wager. The most commonly available denominations include 1, 5, 25, 100, 500, and 1,000 units in the respective supported currency. Keep in mind larger denominations are disabled when your balance is insufficient and cannot cover them.
4Posting Bets
Posting bets is made easy thanks to the intuitive interface most live casino platforms offer. Click on your preferred denomination to select it and then post your chips in your corresponding betting box on the virtual layout. Click repeatedly to increase your bet by the value of your selected chip denomination.
For example, if you use the $5 denomination, you can wager $15 with three clicks. Remember you have a limited time to post your wagers in between rounds. Keep track of the timer that shows you how much time you have left until the table closes for betting.
5Doubling Your Bets
Doubling your bets becomes available after you have posted at least one wager previously. It usually reads “2x” so it is easy to spot. It works to the advantage of progressive bettors as it automatically doubles their last wager. Each consecutive click or tap doubles all wagers on the table up to the maximum limit. Of course, you need to have a sufficient real-money balance for this purpose.
6Repeat the Bet
Willing to repeat the bet you made during the previous round? You can do it without stacking your chips in the betting box manually. The Repeat Bet button allows you to do just that and is particularly useful whenever you have posted multiple wagers during the last round, as commonly occurs in games like Sic Bo and roulette. This function gets deactivated if you place a chip manually, though. It is very handy from the perspective of flat bettors and system players.
7Bet Settling
Bet settling is performed automatically by the live casino software after the end of each round. Of course, the dealer would verbally announce the result and congratulate the winners. The software would automatically deduct the sum you have lost from your balance or credit your winnings if the round was successful for you.
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Find the answers of questions people asked so far:
Do Live Casino table games also have pit bosses and what is their function?
You may be surprised to know that live-dealer casino games also have pit bosses. The reason why you may not know about their existence is that they cannot be seen as they usually stay outside the area where players can see the dealer and the table’s layout. The pit boss can be called whenever there is an issue with the live-dealer game. Players can also ask for the pit boss but there are specific instances when this is possible, and being unlucky is not one of them. If the dealer makes a mistake, he/she will call out the pit boss immediately, but if players are quicker to spot a mistake they can also request the pit boss’ intervenience. The pit boss is also the one to call when you are experiencing technical issues such as being unable to sit on a table, placing a bet, or being timed out of a game while you were 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?
Live Casino studios use various technologies that allow them to make the gaming experience for every player unique and personal. While you play live roulette, live baccarat, live game show, or any other type of live-dealer game with other fellow players, you will see only the result that corresponds to your personal betting choice.
For instance, if you play live roulette, the dealer will spin the wheel and the ball will eventually fall into a socket, with the result of the game being the same for all players who have joined the live roulette session. However, whether this result will be a win or loss for you depends on the bet that you have placed before the dealer spun the wheel. Thanks to RFID sensors, the ball’s movement is recorded and the data is saved in a database. The result is then cross-referenced with your choice of bets and any payout or loss is distributed accordingly.
If you play live slots you may often see that while a bonus feature may be triggered, you will play the bonus round only if you have made the correct choice, which has triggered the bonus game. Often, you may need to wait for free spins or other bonus rounds to be complete until you can play the live slot again.
It is not unusual that the host of the live game show knows there has been a multiplier bonus game activated but he/she does not see the exact number of the multiplier as it may be different for every player who has joined the game. That said, thanks to the technology used in the game, what you see on the screen will correspond to your bets. Even if this sounds confusing, as soon as you start playing live games and shows, you will notice how easy it is to keep track of your wins and losses.