What Are ‘Live’ Casinos & Are They Safe?
The live casino topic has been popping up more and more within your friends circle. Some are curious. Some are terrified. But everyone is interested. This new type of casino has got everyone buzzing!
So just what in the world are live casinos? Are they any different from normal casinos and online casinos? Is the hype justified? Are they safe to play? Read on as we answer all these questions and more!
What Are Live Casinos?
To put it simply, live casinos are casinos that provide real-time dealers to players through video streaming technology. This means that although the dealers are real people interacting and “dealing” with the players in real time, the players do not have to physically be at the game table or in the casino!
It is an extension of the online casino concept: instead of just playing games online against slot machines or an AI dealer, you are now interacting with real human dealers and opponents on the other end of the screen!
The games available depend on the casino provider but you can expect popular casino mainstays such as live roulette, live blackjack, and live baccarat to be on the list.
Yet, you might still question: Why is it called “live casino” when it’s done through video streaming? Well, that’s because ‘‘live” in this context doesn’t mean happening right now in real life, but instead, it is referring to the real-time interaction between the dealers and the players. Makes more sense now that you think about it that way, doesn’t it?
How Do Live Casinos Work?
Live casino games are usually streamed from either studio locales with game table set-ups or in actual brick-and-mortar casinos. The cameras used in streaming are usually of great quality as they have to capture every move the dealer makes from various different angles, to ensure full transparency.
The game tables are also outfitted with a Game Control Unit (GCU) which scans and encodes the data regarding the playing cards or winning numbers into digital form, creating a seamless life-like experience for the player.
The GCU works in concert with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) system, which basically digitally translates every move by the dealer into data. This feature is integrated into the User Interface (UI) where the live chat, timer, and betting box UIs are constantly updated in real time with any change or interaction.
Additionally, some operators also provide on-premise live casino services which means that as long as you’re on select operator-affiliated premises i.e. hotel rooms or the hotel cafe, you’re akin to a VIP and can still play in the live casino with your mobile device!
Are Live Casinos Safe?
The answer is YES, live casinos are generally safe! Much like with online casinos, most major casino providers will have a casino or gaming licence. Most are also transparent with their online banking process and safety protocols.
As a general rule, the bigger a live casino provider is, the more legit they are. After all, with how expensive even setting up a live casino streaming setup is, they would definitely want to ensure the entire process is as trouble-free for everyone as possible!
But, of course, just as with anything online banking, remember to take your own precautions, like using a strong password or reading up on the T&Cs.
Pros vs Cons of Live Casinos
PROS
The live casino is an extension of online casinos, and thus, they generally have the same advantages to them compared to real-world casinos, for instance:
1) Play your choice of games virtually without the hassle of dressing up and travelling to a casino (which may not even be remotely in your area!)
2) More rewarding payouts as online casinos have generally lower overhead costs compared to real-world casinos and can afford to be more generous when it comes to payouts.
At the same time, live casinos also alleviate some of the complaints that players may have against online casinos, namely interacting purely with an AI simply doesn’t feel organic or fun. With live casinos that is not an issue as:
3) You will be playing and communicating with real players with real dealers handling the games, giving a transparent and organic feel that AI cannot yet replicate.
4) It’s as close to the real thing as you can get, as long as you have an electronic device with internet, you can do it anywhere.
5) The interactive and detailed UI ensures that it is even easier for players to keep track of everything.
CONS
That said, live casinos, much like online casinos, do have some weaknesses:
1) A stable internet connection is a must, as lagging and other technical disruptions from even a single player can negatively affect the entire game and cause rounds to drag on indefinitely.
2) Depending on the popularity of your casino provider, waiting for games may take a while as there may be many people waiting to join in.
3) Game availability is generally not as diverse as in real world or online casinos.
Conclusion
In summary, live casinos certainly add a whole different dimension to the usual casino setup and you’ll be remiss if you didn’t at least see what the hype is all about! You can give it a go with Play88, a trusted casino company with great customer support, live chat, and instant withdrawals. Register now and be entitled to an amazing Welcome Bonus and other great promotions when you try out our reliable online live dealer casinos!