Many gamblers prefer the convenience of online gaming platforms. They can try their luck and strategies on real casino games without leaving their homes. These online games are easy to access, making them great for a break from work or enjoying a weekend staycation.
However, apart from regular online casino games, there is also a whole other genre called live dealer casino games. These games are different from regular games as they are not generated by a computer but include an actual human dealer.
Despite some major differences between live dealer and regular games, as discussed below, both genres offer excitement, fun, and similar payout rates.
Game Selection
Traditional online platforms tend to offer a wider range of games compared to live dealer options. That’s because computer-generated casino games can include table games, slots, bingo, Wheel of Fortune, and also hundreds of variations of each of these game types.
Live dealer platforms are limited to games where a dealer is involved, like classic card and table games. These include poker, roulette, blackjack, craps, and baccarat. However, there has been a growing trend to include more live games, like live bingo and live lottery draws.
There has also been a widespread adoption of Bitcoin payments across both traditional and live dealer platforms, with many operators encouraging crypto use through exclusive bonuses and promotions. Bitcoin live casinos offer gamblers the option to play live table games with crypto deposits and withdrawals, making these platforms more accessible to users across the world.
How The Games Work
Regular online casinos games use simulated animations, graphics, and music to entertain gamblers. These games also make use of complicated mathematical algorithms and Random Number Generators (RNGs) for the games’ outcomes.
Live dealer games are presented by professionally trained humans. The game is streamed in real time, and players can interact with the dealer and their opponents through the live chat feature on the platform. Other players can respond via the chat, while the dealer will respond by speaking out loud.
Social Aspects
The social element couldn’t be more different between live dealer and regular games. Live dealer games have a social aspect, where you can interact with other players as well as the dealer. This can create a sense of community, which makes it more engaging and exciting.
Regular online casino games can be a more lonely experience as there is very little interaction with anyone else. However, this is not always a bad thing as many players prefer to be alone when gambling.
Speed of Gameplay and Accessibility
The speed of gameplay and accessibility differ vastly between live dealer and traditional casino platforms.
Regular online casinos typically offer much faster gameplay because of the use of RNGs and algorithms. These ensure that the game’s outcome is almost instant and completely uninterrupted. Regular casino games are also more accessible, especially to people with mobile devices or slower internet speeds, as there is no live streaming involved.
Live dealer games enjoy a human element with real time interaction between the dealer and the players. This significantly slows down the game’s speed but offers a more realistic gambling experience.
Advances in technology have resulted in increased accessibility of live games, however, it can’t yet compete with regular games. More live games are being integrated with mobile compatibility, expanding this genre’s reach; however, the streaming aspect (which requires a fast and uninterrupted internet connection) can still limit accessibility.
Payouts
All casino games have an average payout rate based on the return to player (RTP) percentage. This percentage is calculated over a long time and indicates how much a player will win back. For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, and the player bets $100, they will receive $95 in winnings.
Most traditional online casino games provided by reputable software designers offer similar payout rates. There are small differences, however typically the RTP will range from 93% to 98% for online games. A game’s RTP will not change as it is determined by the algorithm.
Live dealer games also offer similar payout rates than regular games, however since the outcome is not generated by a RNG, the RTP may fluctuate slightly over time.
Fairness and Transparency
Fairness and transparency are paramount to gamblers, who often invest large sums of money and expect winnings to be paid out fairly.
Most players find live casinos more trustworthy, as they can see the dealer spin the roulette wheel or shuffle and deal the cards. This is perceived as being more fair and transparent.
However, online games from reputable casinos have measures to ensure fairness and transparency. Licensed platforms are required to undergo regular third-party audits to ensure fairness. These audits assess the RNGs used for the games as well as the platform’s payment systems. Audit findings should be reported on the casino website to instill trust.
Although gamblers always fear rigged outcomes, both regular and live dealer games on reliable platforms take precautions to ensure fairness and avoid fraud.
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all option for gamblers, which is why the variety of online casino games is a big draw. Regular gambling platforms offer a wide variety of games, fast gameplay, and a solo gambling experience, whereas live dealer games are more social, immersive, and offer a slower pace of play.
Luckily, players don’t have to commit to one or the other, as many reputable sites offer both live and regular games.
