Online gambling is truly in the midst of its most successful era yet. A massive industry with thousands of players worldwide, online casinos have shot past traditional brick-and-mortar variants in popularity, boasting convenience and a mouth-watering variety of games.
However, there’s a new variety of online gambling emerging. Embracing the social atmosphere of land-based casinos, live casinos are reintroducing human interactions and atmosphere to the world of online casinos.
And there are many more reasons why live casinos have been gaining an edge over traditional options. We’re here to help you get the best out of your live casino option now that you’ve made the choice to dive in.
What is a live casino?
The difference between an online casino and a live casino is very simple – in an online casino, results are computer generated, whereas in a live casino, all your games are hosted by a live dealer with the plays and outcomes streamed directly to your device.
It’s no wonder that live casinos have been seeing such a rise in popularity. Live casinos bring a truly immersive experience to the world of online gambling. They offer a level of depth and atmosphere that can’t be replicated in online casinos – all from the comfort of your own home.
But not all live casinos are created equally. To get the most out of your live casino experience, it’s important to do your research and select the casino that’s really going to bring you all the wonder that you’re expecting when you make your move into the live casino world.
We’ve put together a guide below to help you pick out the casino that’s right for you.
What games are available at a live casino?
First of all, it’s important to consider what games are on offer at your casino of choice. It’s hopeless signing up for a casino that offers mega-bonuses and gorgeous visuals when you can’t play your favorite game.
Generally, you can expect live casinos to offer primarily table games headed by a live dealer. They’ll include all the most popular live casino games – blackjack, baccarat, roulette and poker. Most live casinos won’t offer slots, but if you’re not willing to give up your slot games, you might be able to find a casino that has incorporated online slots into their offering.
It’s up to you to consider how much you value sparkling-new game varieties. Live casinos don’t have the same variety as their online counterparts, but many will make up for it by developing brand-new game mechanics tailored to the opportunities offered by live dealers.
How immersive is your casino experience?
One of the primary draws of live casinos is the immersive experience of watching and interacting with a live dealer and other players in real time. A few shortcomings on the part of the casino could put a black mark on the whole experience.
It’s important to find a casino that has precise, professional and personable dealers. Take a look at reviews for a particular site and find out what existing players have to say about the atmosphere of the games. If you want to be able to interact with the dealer and ask them questions, make sure you choose a casino that prides itself in fostering a friendly atmosphere in its games.
Similarly, you want the chatrooms where you interact with other players to be quick and well-designed. You’ll only know if the dynamic is one you enjoy after testing out a few games, but do consider the room size and stakes of the games you take part in, as this will affect the sort of crowd you encounter.
Finally, on the technical side, high-quality streaming is essential when it comes to live casinos. It’s useless trying to enjoy a game when the video is lagging and pixelated. It’s up to you to ensure you have the right internet connection and service, but make sure the casino can offer a video stream that keeps up with that brand-new fiber laid to your house.
Does the casino offer bonuses and promotions?
In line with traditional online casinos, any live casino worth its salt will look to offer something to its players to show how much they value their custom. Most casinos offer welcome bonuses in the form of free bets, rakeback bonuses and real cash offers. Keep an eye out for any minimum deposit options on these, as well as whether they are offered as tiered rewards that only unlock after you deposit a certain amount of money.
Live casinos should also offer ongoing daily bonuses, missions and milestones to keep rewarding you for playing the game.
Does it fit your bankroll?
Live casinos tend to want a higher minimum deposit than an online casino may require before you’re able to join a game – this is to cover the higher overheads of live dealers. If you’re a small-stakes gambler, it’s important to check the minimum deposit and stakes that the casino needs before signing up, otherwise you might find yourself stuck with money in the game and no way to play without spending more than you’re willing.
Similarly, check the withdrawal limit in case you lose your hard-earned cash for similar reasons.
For the high-rollers, any live casino worth its salt will include the option of VIP tables. These tables with soaring stakes and a taut atmosphere are exclusively for casino members willing to take the risk.
Can you take your games with you?
Online casinos experienced a boom in popularity as they began to port to mobile devices. Players love the convenience of being able to play their favorite games on the go. If you live a busy, active life, it’s essential to make sure you don’t miss out on that convenience when choosing a live casino.
Check if your favorite casino has a mobile app. If the casino offers both a web and an app version, make sure you have a look at the reviews specifically for the app, in case there are bugs and glitches that haven’t yet been ironed out in development.