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Live Dealer Casino Studio and Technology

A. Antonova (editor) |

How Live Casino Studios Bring Authentic Gaming Experience to Online Players

Online gaming has become extremely accessible, bringing an authentic casino experience in the comfort of your own home or even on the screen of your smartphone. With the iGaming industry staying abreast of any innovations, the gaming experience offered by online casinos has evolved, providing more realistic gaming than ever before.

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In the last few years, live dealer games have become more popular, with virtual casinos extending their selection of Live Casino options. With juggernauts like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play entering the Live Casino scene, the number of live games one can enjoy in their bed, living room, or even on the go has expanded exponentially.

To ensure that online players can fully immerse themselves in an authentic casino ambiance, software providers resort to advanced technology and purpose-built Live Casino studios, broadcasting high-quality casino games from different parts of the world. If you are curious about the ins and outs of the technology used by Live Casino providers, we recommend you keep reading.

Live Casino Studios and Streams

live casino studioThere are quite a few Live Casino Studios around the world. Despite the rampant growth of the Live Casino industry, its humble beginning started with just a few markets hosting the Live Casino studios where games were conducted. When it comes to the main locations of Live Casino Studios, Europe and Asia are in the leading positions. With gambling hubs like Macau, Singapore, and the Philippines being the homes of Asian studios, players have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most classy and fun live dealer betting experiences. In fact, the Philippines is home to several Live Casino studios of smaller providers, catering to both Asian and Western markets. Spain, Latvia, Malta, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Isle of Man are the places where the majority of European Live Casino Studios are located.

With online casino gaming being slowly legalized in the US, major software providers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming have entered the Northern American market, launching multiple Live Casino studios both in the US and Canada.

The technology used during live streams is called Optical Camera Recognition. Simply put, this technology includes the recording of every key element in the gaming room and then using a video link to stream the games to casino patrons. If players want to place their bets, they can use a console which appears on their computer screen. Usually, there is also a live chat operator which allows players to ask for assistance. The Optical Camera Recognition Technology captures every important action, such as the shuffling of cards, the spin of the wheel or the dealing of cards. This makes the experience very realistic and it gives players the opportunity to enjoy a betting adventure which comes very close to the one brick-and-mortar casinos offer to their customers.

The first stage of the live stream is filming the gameplay at a Live Casino Studio, then the data is transmitted via a video link which allows casino patrons to play their live dealer game of choice. Indicating players’ bets is also available through the software the casino runs on. It processes the bet request of each player, instantly displaying the wager on the screen of each respective player. After that, the live dealer announces “No more bets”, which means that betting buttons will not be active until the next betting session. The action determining the result in the respective game is filmed by the cameras in the studio, with players receiving information about the outcome of the game in just a few seconds.

Those who have won and those who have lost will be announced on the playscreen. If players want to bet on the next round, they will have to repeat the aforementioned steps.

Key Elements of Live Casinos

To make every live dealer betting experience more realistic and entertaining, Live Casinos use several key elements that help the improvement of the virtual betting experience of casino members. Of course, depending on the type of game you play and the software platform it runs on, there might be some additional elements helping the process. Meanwhile, to provide a simpler gaming experience, some live dealer games have removed certain elements from the equation, including the presence of a dealer in Auto-play options.

Web Cameras

live casino cameraThe most important part of live dealer games is capturing every key action of the game. This is done with the help of web cameras which used to be quite large but with the advancement of technologies, new cameras are lighter and do a better job at capturing every crucial element of live dealer games. The majority of Live Casino Studios use at least three cameras, which allows for a more detailed look at the game’s elements, with different angles also offering a close-up view of the table and results of games.

Thanks to the Optical Camera Recognition Technology that has been adopted in the Live Casino industry in recent years, players have the opportunity to follow every action of the game. With the integration of a low latency program, players can also enjoy a smooth gaming experience with no interruptions from other networks.

Live Dealers

live casino dealerIt is the live dealer who makes every game extremely realistic and fun. The use of real people as dealers is what enhances the authenticity of every game, giving off the feeling of placing bets at a real land-based casino. Thanks to the advanced technology virtual casino members have the opportunity to follow every move of the live dealer, ensuring that each game is conducted fairly and in accordance with the respective rules. Reputable Live Casino providers strive to cater to a larger audience, which is why you can find different casino tables and game shows being hosted by dealers who speak foreign languages. That way various players can enjoy their favourite games in their native language.

Although the idea of using real dealers was the main focus of Live Casino Studios, nowadays virtual gamblers have the option to choose games with automated gameplay. For example, Evolution Gaming’s Instant Roulette will have multiple roulette wheels spinning at the same time in a live environment, with no mechanical intervention. Once you place your bet, the camera will zoom almost instantly to one of the wheels which is about to stop, revealing the result in just a few seconds. The autospin feature allows players to control the pace of the game, enabling much quicker betting sessions.

Wheel and Table

live casino wheel and tableThe majority of games that you will be able to find at Live Casinos are variations of classic table games. This is why the table is another key component of the gambling experience at live dealer casinos. Since roulette is also a very popular game among players, its live casino versions have a wheel which is an exact duplicate of those you are used to seeing at brick-and-mortar casinos. Both tables and wheels are provided with sensors that help to conversion of the results of every round into data that can be seen by the casino patrons.

Game Control Unit

live casino game control unitThis thing is about the size of a shoebox, however, it is so important that there would not be any Live Casino games if there was no Game Control Unit. If it has to be put in just a few words, this key element digitizes the video that is being broadcasted, converting the result that is shown in the video into a digitalized image on players’ screens. That way players can see the result both in the video but also as a notification displayed on their gaming device’s screen.

Monitor

live casino monitorThe monitor is another important part of every Live Casino. It helps both dealers and players to keep track of the game. Dealers use the monitor to see how many players have joined the game and follow the bets they have placed. As a live chat feature is used for communication between the host/dealer and the players, the monitor also serves as a chat window allowing the person conducting the game to read the messages directed to fellow players or the host/dealer himself/herself.

Types of Live Dealer Games

At first, when the first live dealer games appeared on the interactive gaming scene, a lot of people disregarded them as being unfair and less entertaining. However, as years have passed by, more players realize the numerous advantages of playing at Live Casinos. Gambling enthusiasts have the opportunity to enjoy a thrilling and realistic gambling experience without even setting foot into a brick-and-mortar casino.

The best thing about the current Live Casino scene is having a plethora of games to choose from as you play online. Classic table games, fun variations offering tempting side bets, and exciting game shows are just a few games you can explore at different Live Casino lobbies.

Live Roulette

Live Roulette
Screenshot of Live Roulette

Since live roulette is played on a single table and the software incorporated into Live Casino games allows handling multiple bets at once, you will not have to wait for an empty table to play your preferred roulette game. Numerous Live Casinos offer European, French, and American versions of the game, catering to the preferences of various players. The table and wheels used by Live Casino studios are identical to the ones you can see on any land-based casino floor. There is also no deviation in the odds and the payouts for different bets. The best part about the live dealer variant of roulette, however, is having various betting options, with special bets offering more advanced gameplay.

Some of the current trendy live dealer roulette options you can play include Immersive Roulette, Age of Gods Live Roulette, Lightning Roulette, Mega Fire Blaze Roulette, Live European Roulette, and Live American Roulette, to name a few. They are all provided by leading software companies that have made sure players can enjoy a very realistic gambling experience that is in no way inferior to the one in brick-and-mortar casinos. Players have the opportunity to choose a table with higher or lower betting limits and enjoy gaming sessions that fit their preferences.

Live Blackjack

Live Blackjack
Screenshot of Live Blackjack

The majority of leading online casinos hosting Live Casino lobbies offer at least a few live dealer versions of blackjack. The most common variant is the multi-player one, offering 7 virtual seats and the so-called one-to-many betting option. This variant, however, is not very appealing to those who are used to playing the classic game of 21. There is also another disadvantage of the multi-player variation of Live Blackjack. If you decide to join a table during peak hours, you might have to wait for a long time in order to join a table and play with other casino members.

Some of the most popular Live Blackjack variants at the moment are 7-Seat Blackjack, Common Draw Blackjack, Evolution Gaming Live Blackjack, Evolution Salon Privé Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, and many more. All live dealer versions of blackjack you play online are designed to suit the taste of different players, catering to both high-rollers and recreational players. Some of the tables have lower limits and can accept several open seats. Other versions are more exclusive and private, designed specifically for players who prefer higher stakes and VIP gambling experience. No matter what is your budget or your preferences, you are guaranteed to enjoy games that come very close to their land-based counterparts.

Live Baccarat

Live Baccarat
Screenshot of Live Baccarat

Baccarat was the first game which was available at Live Casinos. Maybe it was because it is known as the favourite game of high roller players. The Punto Banco version of baccarat is offered in the majority of live dealer casinos and players can choose from multi-player tables and single-player ones. Gambling enthusiasts can enjoy variants such as Bonus Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, Baccarat Pairs, Dragon Tiger, and other fun variations of the card game. Since the different baccarat games may incorporate different rules, players should get familiar with each game before the start of their live dealer gaming experience.

A few popular titles that Live Baccarat fans enjoy are Playtech Grand Baccarat, Playtech Golden Baccarat, Evolution Gaming Controlled Squeeze Baccarat, and Extreme Live Gaming Baccarat, to name a few.

Live Casino Poker

Live Casino Poker
Screenshot of Live Casino Poker

Players who decide to embark on Live Casino Poker adventures will see that it is slightly different than playing the game online. In the live dealer version, you are competing against the dealer rather than having other players as your opponents. In order to make the experience more authentic, the cards are dealt by a real dealer, rather than the software of a virtual game.

Players who decide to embark on the adventures of Live Casino Texas Hold’em, will have the opportunity to receive a few pocket cards as well as a look at the flop thanks to their Ante bet. The great thing about live dealer poker games is that the entry is usually much lower than the one at its online alternatives. Simply put, it is a great opportunity for poker lovers who want to enjoy the classic game in the comfort of their own homes.

Several of the live dealer poker options that players enjoy include Evolution Gaming’s Casino Hold’em Poker, 2 Hand Casino Hold’em, Live Caribbean Stud Poker as well as Playtech’s rendition of Casino Hold’em Poker.

How to Play at Live Casinos

live casino playPlaying in a Live Casino lobby is extremely easy but you need to stick to a few rules to make your gaming experience smooth and enjoyable. Players are able to revel in thrilling casino experiences thanks to the OCR technology, which decodes the images and transmits the live stream to the players who have joined the game.

Players are then asked to choose a virtual chip denoting the sum they are willing to bet. Once the bets are placed on the table, the dealer will ask the participants a few additional questions about their game and then the bets will be processed by the software of the Live Casino game. Once the bets are finalized, the live dealer will announce “No more bets”, meaning players will not be able to place other bets until the next round. Every action in the game is followed by the cameras in the Live Casino Studio, allowing any viewer to keep track of the results. Thanks to the monitor the dealer indicates the bets made by players who are playing the current round.

As live games allow direct communication with the dealer you can use the live chat to ask the dealer any question you might have about the game. Keep in mind, however, that a good tone is a must as you may be muted if the casino detects any disrespectful messages directed from your account. The results of the game are announced by the dealer, with the special technology used by providers also displaying the outcome on the playscreen. That way, players can instantly see whether they have won or lost their current bet.

Thanks to the advanced technology used in Live Casino Studios, you will have the opportunity to watch up-close every move in the game and see for yourself the outcome of every round. If you are wondering why you should choose to play at a Live Casino, instead of choosing an RNG game, the answer is pretty simple. The reason so many players across the world have chosen to play live dealer games is the combination of realistic gameplay and the convenience of playing in the comfort of their own homes.

In addition to that, many gambling enthusiasts believe that playing with a live dealer guarantees more arbitrary outcomes since the gameplay is exactly the same as the one played at brick-and-mortar casinos. If you want to enjoy a top-class casino adventure you do not need to travel to the nearest land-based gaming facility as you will need to simply open an account with an online casino offering live dealer games. What is even better is the fact that you will be presented with multiple options and you will be able to choose a table that will fit your preferences.

FAQ

Optical Camera Recognition captures and streams every game move, making your screen a window to real-time casino action. It’s the bridge between virtual and authentic casino experiences.

Yes, through live chat. It’s like texting, but your buddy is a professional dealer who will reply to you verbally, which will make gaming sessions feel all the more authentic. Interaction is key for an immersive experience.

Live dealers, real cards, and actual tables bring the casino to you. Real-time gameplay ensures fairness and transparency, mimicking the land-based casino atmosphere.

Absolutely! From the ever-popular roulette to the favored by strategists blackjack, you will find plenty of games in your casino’s live dealer lobby. Of course, this also means that poker, baccarat, and even titles that are popular among gamblers in Asia, like Sic Bo and Dragon Tiger, are usually an option in casinos worldwide.

Pay a visit to your casino’s live dealer page, choose your game, place your bets, and engage with real dealers. It’s online gaming elevated with a genuine casino atmosphere, blending convenience with authenticity.

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