Live dealer games are a relatively new addition to online casinos, pairing online play with the presence of a human dealer and physical game elements. Roulette in particular has seen a rise in live dealer options, along with other classic table games.
Rather than using random number generation (RNG) to determine the outcome of a spin – like digital formats – live Roulette is played with a physical Roulette wheel in the casino studio. But there’s a lot more behind the scenes that goes into making a game of live Roulette work.
The technology behind live Roulette games
While live Roulette does not have the software running the game, there is still a lot of technology involved. From the video streaming equipment to the elements that allow the live footage to interact with the online interface, let’s take a look at the core technologies involved.
- High-definition cameras
Any live dealer game set-up involves a number of high-definition cameras that capture gameplay from a variety of angles. These allow players to personalise their view of the game, focusing on whichever camera viewpoint they prefer.
Generally, in a live Roulette game there will be cameras directed at the wheel itself, the table layout and the dealer, as well as close-up options. This means that the live gameplay is directly translated to the online player’s screen, with a higher quality picture making for a smoother experience.
- Game control unit
A big part of what makes live dealer games work is something known as the game control unit (GCU). This is the technology responsible for encoding the video broadcast and making sure that the stream runs smoothly. It’s usually a black box attached the game table.
The GCU is also what allows the game software to interpret the video, passing data to the system so that the results of the spin are properly displayed and reflected on the user’s screen.
- Optical character recognition
What helps the GCU do its job is the presence of optical character recognition (OCR) technology. Without OCR, the cameras and software would be unable to communicate properly, with OCR acting to covert images into readable data.
Wherever the ball stops on the Roulette wheel, the OCR will record and translate the pocket’s colour and number for the system.
Playing a game of live Roulette
Live Roulette is distinct from other online Roulette games as it runs in real-time, thanks to the presence of the live croupier. This means that online players are likely to join a game instance that’s already in progress, having to wait for their turn to enter play.
These games also run on a strict timeline, with set time limits on the initial wagering phase so that play can proceed at a smooth pace. Any player in a game of live Roulette needs to respect the other players present and the live dealer, making their wagers in a timely manner.
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Compared to other online Roulette formats, live dealer games bring something different to the table with the use of a physical wheel and ball. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of advanced technology that goes into powering these fusion games.