It is fair to say the online gambling industry is one of the biggest growth sectors right now, and the upward trend looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Global revenue reached more than $66 billion in 2020 and has been forecast to continue rising in double digit percentages over the next few years.
Improved regulation and legislative changes in growth markets such as the United States are amongst the factors that have driven the growth.
Advancements in technology have also played a key role, helping to power a seismic shift away from land-based gambling towards the online space.
This has proved to be a challenge for casino operators, forcing them to rethink their business strategy and join in the online revolution.
The internet is now awash with online casinos offering players the opportunity to play games such as blackjack, roulette and slots on a 24/7/365 basis.
However, as is always the case with tech, the landscape is constantly evolving and changes have been continuing apace in the online casino sector.
One of the most important developments in recent years has been the introduction of live casino games, which replicate the experience of playing in a brick-and-mortar venue.
Playing at live roulette tables and other popular casino games has become so popular that some operators have reported that they now account for over half of their online turnover.
Read on as we take a closer look at how live streaming has impacted online casinos and assess why players are favouring live games rather than regular games.
An overview of live online casinos
Before we unpick how live streaming tech impacted online casinos, it is prudent to give an overview of the medium itself.
Online casinos were traditionally built around digital versions the popular games you would play if you visited a land-based establishment.
These include blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, slots and more, all of which have helped to drive the growth of the online casino industry.
As tech has evolved, operators and developers have endeavoured to introduce new innovations that will attract new players and retain existing ones.
Significant improvements in video technology over the past few years have proved to be a Godsend, allowing online casinos to widen the scope of their operations by offering live games.
These are effectively an online version of what you would find in real-life casinos, thus bringing the thrills of Las Vegas straight to your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile.
How does a live casino work?
There are several different elements that contribute to the make up of a live casino, with the camera undoubtedly the most important piece of kit.
Live casinos are generally limited to offering tables games, and usually need three cameras to successfully cover all the action.
Optical camera recognition technology is used to stream the games via a video link, while each table has a Game Control Unit (GCU) attached to it.
This encodes the video that is live streamed to the players, which allows them to watch their chosen game in real-time.
The dealer or croupier can watch what the players see on their screens via monitors, while instant messaging software creates a line of communication between the two parties.
There is generally one cameraman in attendance in a live casino studio who is on hand to ensure that the cameras function correctly at all times.
Why do people prefer live games over regular games?
While online casinos are a superb form of entertainment, they lack the in-person thrills provided by visiting places such as Las Vegas or Monte Carlo.
Live games provide a happy medium, allowing players to play online on their chosen device while interacting with a dealer or croupier.
Many people prefer this mode of play rather than playing screen-based games as they believe it heightens the skill level.
For instance, if you play blackjack at a regular online casino the game is controlled by a random number generator, which takes away some of the skill involved.
However, a live casino replicates how the game is played in brick-and-mortar venue, thus providing the player with greater control over the outcome.
Although the house still has an edge, players can use basic strategy to significantly increase their chances of winning at a live casino.
Are live casinos here to stay?
The short answer to that question is yes. Operators have only scratched the surface of what is possible with live streaming tech and there are sure to be more exciting innovations in the future.
Some online casinos only provide a small range of games as they are limited by the amount of floor space they have available in the studio.
As demand grows for live games, casino operators will be forced to expand their offering to accommodate everyone who wants to play.
One of the leading developers of live games are Evolution Gaming, who are currently pushing forward with plans to use Virtual Reality (VR) technology in online casinos.
Their recent launch of Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, a live game show and casino game, has been extremely well received by the industry.
Experts have long being predicting that VR will be the ‘next big thing’ in the industry and Evolution’s game is a hugely exciting development.
More VR titles are anticipated in the future, which opens up the possibility that friends and family can play their favourite casino games in ‘real-life’ settings.
Poker is another game where VR could be used, creating the prospect that major tournaments could be staged in a different way.
Live streaming has unquestionably been a force for good in the online casino industry and this is fully expected to remain the case for many years to come.