There are many reasons why people love playing online casino games. For some it is a way to relax and have fun. For others it is a chance to win some real money. Despite all the excitement of slot machines and video poker it is hard to beat the feeling of sitting down at a table with a dealer and enjoying a game of cards or roulette. Fortunately, live casino is a very popular option for those who want to experience the feeling of being in a real casino without leaving their home.
The underlying technology that makes the games possible is quite complex and relies on a combination of both real and virtual elements. On the croupier’s end there is a deck of cards, a wheel and chips while on the player’s end there is software to make bets and wagers. The interface between these two worlds comes in the form of a monitor which urges dealers to act and a piece of hardware called a GCU (Game Control Unit). It is roughly the size of a shoe box and it is responsible for encoding the video broadcast. Without this ingenious piece of kit the live casino just wouldn’t work.
It is important to note that just like with regular online casino games there are rules and regulations surrounding live casino gaming. Generally speaking, these games have to be licensed both at the software level and by each individual gambling authority. Then there are various requirements which need to be met to ensure that the games are fair and random.
As the popularity of these games continues to rise, more operators are starting to open up their own live casinos and stream their games from inside their premises. While it is true that this adds to the costs of running these operations, the benefits outweigh the expenses. Unlike their RNG counterparts, which tend to have no social component at all, these live dealer games provide players with the opportunity to interact with a real person and play in a more realistic setting.
Adding to the sense of realism are the chat functions which allow players to communicate with the dealers and each other. While the quality of the stream can be somewhat variable, some sites do offer high-quality video and a fast running interactivity which is essential to the enjoyment of these games. There is also the ability to end a session at any time and withdraw winnings provided the minimum wagering requirements have been met.
One of the best things about these live casino games is that they can be played on any device including mobile phones, tablets and desktops. This is a huge benefit over their RNG counterparts which are limited to PCs only. In addition to this, players can take advantage of the bonuses and offers that are offered by a variety of online casinos. However, it is vital to keep in mind that not all sign-up offers will be valid for these games.