Live Casinos: How Do They Work?
Live casino is a popular category that’s featured at many online casinos and this is essentially a live stream of a dealer that you’re able to communicate within real-time. Live casino games will also provide you with information on other players and this will help if you’re going up against other players in a game such as a poker. Furthermore, live casino games aimed to provide you with the best possible casino experience without leaving your home and it’s an incredible addition to iGaming.
The dealers that are hosting these games are real professional dealers that have been trained to provide you with the most authentic experience. For the duration of the game, the dealer is filmed at a studio that’s operated by the software provider and therefore the pace of the game is dictated by the dealer. Live casino games are slower than standard casino games, which is accurate as real casino table games are generally slow.
New Zealand live casino games are no different from what’s found in other countries and they are generally provided by the same software companies. If you’re looking for online casino games that are close to the real thing, this is the best category for you.
How We Review the Best Live Casino Sites
Before we can recommend live dealer casinos, these sites need to meet a specific criterion in a variety of categories. Failing to meet one of these that are mentioned would disqualify the online casino from our list. Below are some of the factors that we look at:
Safety and Security
The safety and security that are featured at an online casino will have a direct effect on your overall gaming experience. This is due to the mindset that you’ll have when playing at an illegitimate online casino and there’s no guarantee that your winnings will be paid out nor is there a guarantee that your data will be safe. This is why we look for live casinos that are licensed by a reputable authority along with games that have been audited by one of the leading third-party testing agencies in the world. There’s no substitute for online security and this is one of the most important factors to consider.
Casino Bonuses
The bonuses that are provided by an online casino need to be realistic, and what we mean by that is we’re looking for online casinos that have decent wagering requirements that make it possible to capitalize on the bonus that you’ve received. An online casino that advertises a massive amount is a red flag, because not only will you be unable to capitalize on the bonus, but the odds of you getting kicked out of the casino are very high once the deposit has been made. We look for casinos that feature reasonable amounts that are combined with other bonuses such as free spins.
Payment Options that Have been Made Available
The payment methods presented by an online casino are as important as the games that are featured. We like to see online casinos that present a handful of payment methods as this will make it possible for you to use a method that you’re familiar with instead of being forced to use a specific banking method. Different payment methods such as e-wallets, debit/credit cards, eChecks, prepaid cards, and so on, will make the casino more attractive to potential clients and it allows you to explore various options to determine what works best for you.
Supported Casino Software Providers
A variety of casino software providers is usually a good sign especially when these are the best that the industry has to offer. When it comes to live casino gaming, there are a few software providers that stand out. This includes Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt, as these are software providers that are known to stand out from the rest of the operators that host live casino NZ games. A variety of software providers also means that there will be diversity when it comes to the games that are offered, and this is something that everyone enjoys.
Game Variety
Game variety is an extremely important part of online casino gaming as no player wants to be stuck playing the same games over and over. This is why we look for a variety of gaming categories, especially when it comes to live casino sites. While there are casinos that provide a healthy dose of variety, some of them opt to provide 20 different versions of the same game, and this won’t equate to an enjoyable experience. With variety comes the fun, and we won’t recommend any online casinos that fail to provide a decent selection of gaming categories.
Most Popular Live Casino Games
There are plenty of live casino games that are enjoyed and below we’ve listed some of the most popular live dealer casino New Zealand titles.
- Live Roulette – Likely one of the most popular table games available today, Live Roulette is an online spin on a casino classic that’s hosted by a live dealer. While the betting system takes some time to get used to, this is a great game for anyone new to playing a live table game.
- Live Baccarat – Go up against the dealer in Live Baccarat. This is an exciting card game that might be confusing in the beginning; however, once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it’s very enjoyable. Take some time to learn the rules before jumping into the game.
- Live Blackjack – Live Blackjack or 21 is a classic card game that pits you against the dealer, and the live casino version is much more entertaining as you’re playing against a real person and not the AI. Once you’ve developed a sound strategy, all you’ll need is some luck to find success.
- Live Poker – There are various versions of Live Poker; however, one thing that they all have in common is that the experience is unlike any other live game. Unlike other live casino games, live poker has you go up against other players, (and in some cases the dealer) and this is something that many players look forward to.
- Monopoly Live – A new twist on a classic game, unlike the classic, it’s not your family that’ll be torn apart as you go up against the dealer in a high-stakes game of Monopoly.
- Dream Catcher – Dream Catcher is a live game show that consists of a money wheel that consists of various numbers that will determine your prize.
- Deal or No Deal – Based on the popular game show, Deal or No Deal Live often has many contestants working together in an attempt to beat the banker. This is one of the most engaging live casino games and has quickly become a fan favorite.
Best Live Casino Software Providers
Not all casino software providers are capable of producing live casino games as there’s a lot more that goes into it. However, there are a few of them that have nearly perfected it, by providing players with live casino games hosted by world-class dealers.
Evolution Gaming has become a live casino mainstay, with many of the games in its portfolio consisting of live casino titles. This provider has some of the best dealers and has consistently edged out the competition to take the top spot. Playtech is another well-known software provider that’s known for the quality live casino content that it produces. Here you’ll find plenty of well-known and unique games and it is likely the best live casino New Zealand software provider.
An honorable mention should go to NetEnt as it has recently started developing live casino titles of its own. The Swedish brand is known for putting 100% into all of its games and it’s exciting to see what it comes up with.
Live Dealer Games vs. Standard Online Casino Games
Live dealer games are vastly different from online casino games as you’re generally encouraged to communicate with the dealer and you’re not playing against the AI of the software provider, but rather a human being. Live dealer games are also more expensive to produce as the software provider has the running costs of the studio which includes lighting, cameras, etc.
Standard online casino games are cheaper to run and they’re based on algorithms. These games are also better for those that prefer playing alone and they take place at a faster pace. Live dealer games are socially fulfilling, as opposed to online casino games that have you playing against a digital casino. Overall, both present their benefits and it’s up to you to decide which of them you prefer.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to see why live casino games have become so popular as players can engage with a real dealer that can answer questions. While standard real money online casino games are great, there’s something special about dealer games, as they allow players that aren’t comfortable with being in a real casino to play a real casino game with a real dealer. The experience is mimicked as best as possible and these games are a testament to how far iGaming has come. Ultimately, these games might not appeal to all players, but there’s no doubt that this is the most unique gaming category found at online casinos.
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