Live casino games have changed online gambling. They bring real-time gameplay to your screen, combining elements of traditional land-based casinos with digital convenience.
Using live-streaming technology, these games feature real dealers, authentic equipment, and realistic casino play, all accessible from the comfort of your own home.
Unlike standard online casino games, which use random number generators (RNGs), live casino games involve streaming a real dealer and table directly to your device in real-time.
The dealer runs the game just like in a traditional casino – shuffling cards, spinning the Roulette wheel, or dealing Baccarat hands.
You participate remotely via your device, and all actions are done through an interface that interacts with the live feed. This is where you place your bets and make decisions.
This setup allows you to play anywhere you have internet access, as long as local laws and licensing requirements permit it.
How live casinos work
At the core of every live casino game is a studio or real casino floor fitted with multiple high-definition cameras that capture the action from several angles.
The studio is designed to replicate a physical casino, and the dealers are trained professionals.
Streaming is optimised for minimal delay, ensuring that actions you take – like hitting in Blackjack or placing a Roulette bet – are reflected instantly.
Most platforms support desktop and mobile play, subject to connectivity and device compatibility.
The technical side of a live casino game:
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR): this technology reads card symbols, Roulette results, and other game elements, translating them into data in real time
- Game Control Unit (GCU): a small device attached to every table that encodes the video stream and manages gameplay data
- Live chat and interface tools: allow you to interact with the dealer and other players through messages, depending on the game and platform
Types of live casino games:
- Live Blackjack: the goal is the same as usual Blackjack – beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. You’ll be dealt two cards, and can choose to hit, stand, split, or double down. The dealer follows fixed rules, and your decisions are made through an on-screen interface.
- Live Roulette: this involves a physical wheel spun by the dealer. Bets are placed on a digital table layout, where you choose numbers, groups of numbers, or colours. Once bets are placed, the dealer spins the wheel and drops the ball. The outcome is recorded by cameras and translated into results in real time.
- Live Baccarat: follows the same format as traditional Baccarat, where you can bet on the player, the banker, or a tie. The banker draws cards according to fixed rules, and your interface shows available bets and results while the dealer manages the cards on the table.
- Game-show style games: include titles inspired by TV game shows such as Deal or No Deal, Wheel of Fortune, and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. These types of games often involve chance-based mechanics, feature multiple camera angles, and have hosts instead of traditional dealers.
Features and considerations
Live casino games include several standard features that are consistent across most platforms.
Outcomes are determined by actual physical actions, such as a dealer drawing cards or spinning a Roulette wheel, rather than by RNGs. This ensures that all results are displayed in real-time and are observable through the live video stream.
Most live tables support a wide range of betting limits, making them accessible to players with lower-stakes bets or higher-value wagers. There are usually tables available to suit different preferences.
Live casino games require you to make decisions within a set time limit – this applies to actions such as placing bets or choosing whether to hit or stand in Blackjack. If no action is taken within the allocated time, the system may automatically pass or fold your hand, depending on the game.
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Please remember to bet responsibly. Always set limits for yourself and only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
Licensed operators typically provide tools to help you manage your play, such as deposit limits, reality checks, and self-exclusion options.
If you feel that gambling may be becoming a problem, seek support from recognised responsible gambling organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware.
