Live Casinos – A Unique Online Gaming Experience
There’s no denying the fact that online casinos are currently the biggest and most profitable trend in the online gaming industry. These sites feature plenty of games by the best providers in the game and can provide players with a unique experience.
These days, one of the most unique features of these platforms is live games. In fact, these products are so popular that there are specific websites dedicated only to this category. That’s exactly what we are going to talk about here. We will break down all details regarding live casinos and see whether you should play there or not.
What are Live Casinos?
Standard online casino games are powered by RNGs. They are AI tools that create random outcomes. Live games are completely different. Real dealers host them and players join the games via streams.
Live casino sites are platforms that only feature live games. You can access them from your desktop device and if they are mobile-compatible, you can use your smartphone or tablet. However, you must make sure that your connection to the Internet is stable.
There are two options when it comes to mobile compatibility. First, the live casino can use the latest HTML5 technology. That means that you can access it from your mobile browser. Secondly, it can have a dedicated app.
Apps are usually featured on Google Play Store or AppStore. They are free to download and are installed automatically.
License and Regulation – A Must-Have Feature for Live Casinos
One important feature of all live casinos is the license. It is an indicator that the site can operate legally. Regulators that issue these licenses review live casinos and ensure that their operations are in line with the laws. Moreover, they determine whether the casino is secure and safe enough for players.
Some of the world’s most respected authorities that license and regulate online casinos are:
- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- The Swedish Gambling Authority (Spelinspektionen)
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
Checking whether the live casino has a license is very simple. Access its official website and scroll to the bottom. The license information is displayed at the bottom of the home page. Double-check the number with the regulator and if all is good, you can register there.
Casinos that do not have a valid license are not safe and they are often scam sites. That is why we recommend you not to sign up there.
Types of Games That You Can Play at Live Casinos
By now, you must wonder what types of games can you play at live casinos. The good thing is that there are several sub-categories here. They include roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat and game shows. Allow us to explain a bit more.
Live Roulette
Roulette is arguably the simplest live casino game. All you need to do is guess the exact number or group of numbers on which you think the ball will stop. A few of the most popular live roulette variants on these platforms are:
- Speed Roulette
- Auto-Roulette
- Lightning Roulette
- XXXTreme Lightning Roulette
- Live European Roulette
Live Blackjack
When playing live blackjack, you are against the dealer. Your goal is to have a card sum equal to or as close to 21. The one that goes over 21 loses the round. Royals count as 10, cards 1-10 have a value identical to their number and Jokers do not participate. A few popular live blackjack variants are:
- Infinite Blackjack
- Live Multi-Hand Blackjack
- Speed Blackjack
- Blackjack VIP
- NEO Blackjack
Live Poker
Poker is arguably the hardest casino game as it relies heavily on skill. This game has quite a few live variants and they are extremely popular at online casinos. You can even implement strategies to increase your chances of winning. Casino Hold’em, Side Bet City, Live Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker and Live Three Card Poker are common picks in this sub-category.
Live Baccarat
Baccarat is not as popular as the other games on this list, but it still deserves a mention. Its gameplay is similar to blackjack. The difference is that the required sum of cards is 9 and if you cross it, you don’t burn. Instead, the counter resets. Salon Prive, Baccarat Squeeze, Baccarat Controlled Squeeze and No Commission Baccarat are a few live variants that you can play.
Game Shows
Finally, we have game shows. These games are unlike any other casino game and they are unique in every sense of the word. Monopoly Live, Crazy Time, Dream Catcher, Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, Mega Ball and Dear or No Deal are some of the titles that you can come across at live casinos.
Most Popular Live Casino Game Providers
Interestingly enough, the number of standard online casino game providers is much bigger than the number of live casino game providers. There are a few brands in this field that stick out from the competition and always deliver high-quality games.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is the biggest name in the live casino industry. This provider has supplied a majority of the most popular live games in the industry. Not only that, but it is arguably the biggest software provider as it owns the likes of NetEnt, Red Tiger, Nolimit City, Big Time Gaming, DigiWheel and Ezugi. It is worth noting that Ezugi is also a reputable live game provider.
Playtech
Although Playtech is nowhere near its former glory, it remains one of the top-rated live providers. This brand is especially popular in Asia as most of its games have themes that fit the cultures in that region. One interesting fact about it is that it is one of the oldest casino suppliers as it was established in 1999.
Pragmatic Play Live
We conclude our top 3 list with Pragmatic Play Live. Up until a while ago, Pragmatic Play was a reputable slot provider and now, the brand decided to expand its portfolio. The team here proved that it can create extremely quality live roulette and live blackjack games, as well as game shows.
Advantages of Live Casino Sites
Live casino sites have quite a few advantages. That is the reason why they are ever-growing in popularity. Of course, you don’t have to take our word for it. We are more than happy to expand on this topic.
Unique Experience
First of all, live casino games offer a unique experience. They make you feel like you are in the best casinos in Vegas, Hong Kong, Monaco or Singapore. You can join the streams at any time and from any device.
Decent Rewards
Next up, live games are known for their low house edge. In most cases, the house edge in these games is less than 3%. As a result, you can expect decent payouts when you play them. Of course, the goal here is to have fun without taking any risks, but a good payout from time to time is always good.
Interaction
Finally, many live games allow you to chat with the dealer and other players. As a result, they are extremely interactive and can boost your social skills. The interaction can make the overall experience much better. Additionally, the chat function is a great way for you to get familiar with the rules of a certain variant. You can talk to the dealers at any time and ask them questions related to this field.
