When online casinos first appeared around two decades ago they were distinctly primitive and limited. However, as the industry has grown into a multi-billion dollar global enterprise operators have spared no expense in making online gaming as close to real life casino gambling as possible. One of the key areas in this has been the live casino. These are full-fledged versions of popular card games and roulette tables with real dealers who shuffle the cards for that authentic casino feel that many players have craved.

Unlike video slots or table games that use software to determine the outcomes, a live dealer’s decision is determined by factors such as the sequence of the cards and how fast the ball rolls on the roulette wheel. All of this is captured by cameras and streamed in real-time to the player’s device. This provides an incredibly realistic experience that can rival the best of land-based casinos and is available at all of the top online casino websites.

To play a live casino game you simply enter the live casino section of your favourite site and browse through the selection just as you would scope out a slot machine on the physical casino floor. You can also chat with the dealer in the same way that you would a fellow customer at a retail casino. Some live games are played in groups while others are single player only and this will be noted on the site.

There are a number of different live casino games available, but blackjack is the most popular and offers a unique twist that makes the game more exciting. At FanDuel Casino, for example, you can choose to play unlimited blackjack, which is a game that allows dozens of players to play at the same time. The hand only ends when you decide to “stand”, but the dealer continues dealing.

The technology behind live casino works using real cameras, a computer that encodes the video and a game controller called a GCU (Game Control Unit). The GCU is no bigger than a shoebox and sits on each of the tables in the live studio, which is designed to mimic the look of a traditional casino. The GCU also has a monitor that the dealers can view to see what bets are being placed by the players.

The live casino is powered by a number of different software providers, each of which has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most well-known live casino software companies include NetEnt, Evolution and Microgaming. These software systems are used by many of the top online casino sites and can be accessed from any device that has an internet connection. Some of the top live casino games are available in HD, which will give the player a sharp and detailed picture of what is happening on the screen. Some of the most popular live casino games include roulette, blackjack and poker. The software that powers these games is constantly being updated to improve the quality and the gameplay experience.