What Is Live Gaming? Your Questions Answered

So, you’ve logged in to your favorite online casino and are scrolling through all the different pages on offer.

You’ve got Poker, Slots, classic table games, and many other games – but then you stumble across live casino. Perhaps you’ve never given it a go, and wonder what all the fuss is about. Well, read on as we answer all your burning questions about live casino.

What is a live casino?

Live casino differs from a casino online, in that the gaming action is streamed live to your device. Rather than digital or computerized graphics, what you see mirrors what you’d expect to see on a land-based casino floor – giving you a truly authentic casino experience. The games are filmed in real-time using HD cameras, with real-life dealers running the games, and interacting with players – the way they would at a brick-and-mortar establishment.

How does live casino work?

There’s loads of technology involved in live casinos, to ensure it runs smoothly, to provide players with the best and most authentic experience possible. Of course, all the usual equipment is needed to actually play the games themselves – so expect to see the dealer stood behind the Roulette wheel if that’s your chosen game.

As well as multiple HD cameras filming the action from different angles, so you don’t miss a thing, more important than that is the Game Control Unit. The GCU is a really small device that encodes the video that is broadcast – without it, the games cannot run.

What games can you play live?

While playing live casino may not offer the same number of games and choices as an online casino, you can expect to find all the classics. Timeless games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker – with variations as well. But you can also find live versions of Slots games, and gameshow-style games such as Spin a Win and other big wheel games. There’s also the possibility you’ll find a game that you perhaps may not find at a land-based casino. Online casinos are regularly upgrading their live offerings.

Can the dealer see the players?

In a word, no. While the player can obviously see the dealer and gameplay progress, the dealer doesn’t see anything. However, live casinos do offer a live chat function so that players can interact with the dealer. The dealer will be on hand to answer any questions, but also talk through the games as they are run.

Can players see other players?

Again, no. It’s not possible to physically see other players, although you will see their usernames. The chatbox function also allows players to converse with each other – adding to the social aspect of the casino experience.

Can the dealer influence the game?

Much like games at online casinos, the games at a live casino are determined by Random Number Generators (RNGs) – meaning there is no influence on the results, especially from the dealer. Similarly, the dealer will not be able to influence your decision or tell you how to play a game or make a particular move.

So, there you have it. A quick guide to living casino. Now you’re up to speed, you’ll know exactly what to do the next time you log in to your favorite online casino website or app.