Live casino is a unique way of bringing the thrill of real money gambling to online gamblers. It offers a remote social environment in high-quality streaming studios and professional dealers. Players can interact with the dealer and play real-time games, while winnings are processed automatically by software.
The technology behind live casino is complex, but it’s well worth the effort. It relies on video streaming to transmit the gaming action from land-based casinos or studios to players’ computers. The equipment is also used to monitor the gamblers and prevent them from breaking any rules.
One of the most important elements is the Game Control Unit (GCU), a small box that’s responsible for encoding the video broadcast. It’s impossible to run any live dealer game without it. The GCU is connected to the studio cameras and the dealers’ computer, and it allows them to communicate with the player through chat and show the name of each gambler.
There’s also a special feature in some live games that allows players to make a wager for a certain amount of time. This feature has been proven to increase player engagement and help them stay focused on the game.
The games offered by a live casino can vary, but most operators offer the golden trio of blackjack, roulette and baccarat. Some also include poker, wheel of fortune and custom games. Some even reserve some games for their VIP customers, which has been shown to improve customer retention.