What is a Live Casino?

A live casino is an online gambling service that uses live streaming technology to connect players to real dealers. These games can be played on both PCs and mobile devices. Players can even chat with the dealers during the game to get that same buzzing energy and social aspect of a land-based casino.

A player must register with a reputable online live casino in order to play. After this, they can make their first instant deposit and claim the welcome bonus offer. It is important to read the terms and conditions of a live casino before making any deposits. Some of them require that the bets made by a player are subject to playthrough requirements and may have a maximum winning limit. This way, players can protect themselves from potential losses and ensure that they are playing responsibly.

Live casinos are similar to land-based casinos in some ways, but the biggest difference is that they can be played at any time and from any place. These casinos use video cameras to connect the gamblers with a real dealer. These dealers have a monitor that shows them the number of players who are playing at their table. They also can see the players’ nicknames and can talk to them during the game. In addition, a monitor displays the bets that can be placed and those that are closed.

While the live casino experience can be a bit different depending on the software used by each provider, there are some key UI elements that every live gaming product must have. These include the ability to communicate with players, an integrated chat window, and windows that can be opened and closed in order to multitask. These features allow players to engage with the game in a way that is not distracting and keeps them interested.

The most common games offered by a live casino are classic table games that can be found in every land-based casino. These are often referred to as the “golden trio” of blackjack, roulette and baccarat, but there is usually a large selection of other games as well. These include speed baccarat, wheel of fortune and more. Some providers even offer a selection of custom games that aren’t available in any other casino.

Most live casino games use a combination of digital interfaces and traditional casino equipment. A player will interact with the croupier or dealer by clicking buttons on their screen to communicate what action they would like to take, for example hitting a Blackjack or laying a bet on a virtual Roulette table. The results are then decided by the traditional casino equipment, such as a shoe of cards or a roulette wheel.

To create the digital interaction between a gambler and the croupier or dealer, the video feed is processed by a device called a GCU (Game Control Unit). This box isn’t as big as a shoebox, but it is responsible for converting the physical transactions into data that can be broadcast over the internet. It is crucial for the integrity of live casino games that these transactions are converted correctly. Otherwise, the games wouldn’t work properly and a player could lose money.