What is Live Casino?

Live casino is a unique casino gaming experience which brings the thrills of Vegas to your home. This is achieved through a mix of state-of-the-art technology and real people. You can play online versions of your favourite table games and interact with the dealer in real-time, just like you would at a physical casino. There are countless variations to choose from, including the standard games with real dealers, expanded versions with extra betting options and new groundbreaking games such as Speed Roulette and Lightning Roulette.

The key to live casino is the Game Control Unit (GCU). It is a device which is no bigger than a shoebox and it’s responsible for encoding the video broadcast. This is where the true specialist is, and it’s without this gadget that no live game would be possible. The GCU is connected to the camera and a microphone, and it’s through this that all interaction between the player and the dealer takes place.

Firstly, the live casino games are recorded in a studio. There are multiple cameras which capture the action from different angles, so that it looks as realistic as possible. This is important for the players as it gives them a sense of immersion and that they’re actually at a casino in Las Vegas instead of their own home.

When it comes to the croupiers, they are real people who have been trained in accordance with the rules of each game. They then use a range of devices and software to translate the information they receive from the player into the appropriate data. For example, if the dealer touches their chips or the wheel they will need to record this using optical character recognition software, which converts the physical transactions into digital information.

In the case of a roulette wheel, this data is then transmitted to a computer that decides whether or not there is a winning number. This is done by comparing the results of each spin to the pre-determined house edge and betting limits. The outcome of each spin is then displayed on the screen.

Many live casinos also allow you to chat with other players and this adds the social element of a brick-and-mortar casino. There is usually a limited time during which you can place your bets and the dealer will respond to these in real-time.

Another interesting idea that some online casinos have experimented with is letting certain players have access to special VIP live games. This is a way to encourage players to spend more money than the average player and it could be an effective tool for increasing customer retention. However, it is important to remember that any bonus money will still have wagering requirements attached to it. These should always be read before you deposit. This way you will be aware of what is expected of you and the minimum amount you need to spend to make your free bonuses worth it.