The online gambling industry has exploded in popularity over the last few decades. In 2021 alone, the global online gambling market was valued at over $92 billion. Much of this growth is thanks to advancements in technology that have made online casinos more accessible and immersive than ever before. One key innovation is the advent of live dealer casino games. These real-time streamed casino games rely on complex algorithms and video encoding technology to connect players to human dealers hosting games in studios around the world.
Compared to traditional online casino games that use random number generator (RNG) software to produce randomized outcomes, live dealer games provide an experience much closer to what you would find in a land-based casino. The algorithms powering live dealer games enable real-time interaction between players and human dealers that is impossible for RNG games to replicate. This helps create an authentic casino atmosphere filled with all the sights and sounds that were previously only found in physical casinos.
How RNG Games Work
Before examining how live dealer games differ on sites like Spinbet Casino Australia, it helps to understand how standard online casino games operate. Traditional online slots, table games like online blackjack and others rely on RNG technology to produce random outcomes. The gameplay flows as follows:
- Player inputs bet amount and initiates game
- RNG software generates random number
- Game software uses RNG number to produce game outcome
- Outcome displayed to player
RNG algorithms are designed to ensure game outcomes are truly random and not manipulated in the casino’s favor. Regulators vet these systems to guarantee fair gameplay. But while RNG games provide the chance to win real money, the isolated experience of staring at a computer screen falls far short of the thrill and excitement found in a lively casino environment.
This is where live dealer games bridge the gap.
Key Differences With Live Dealer Algorithms
Live dealer games rely on optical character recognition (OCR) algorithms and video encoding technology to stream footage from a studio with human dealers in real-time. The core differences between these games and RNG games come down to the live streaming capabilities and player experience.
Real-Time Interaction
With live dealer games, players can interact with human dealers just like in a real casino. Dealers host the gaming action, announce bets and run the games. Multiple camera angles also showcase different parts of the studio so players feel immersed in the setting. Players can even chat with the dealer and other players at the virtual table. This back-and-forth communication simply isn’t possible with standard online casino games.
Added Transparency
Seeing a human dealer run the game adds more transparency to the gameplay. Players can see the dealer shuffle physical cards or spin an actual roulette wheel. Contrast this to RNG games where all outcomes are produced behind the scenes by game software.
Being able to watch real equipment and people adds legitimacy to live dealer games.
Multi-Player Functionality
Many live dealer games accommodate unlimited players at a table simultaneously. Players can interact with others also playing via the live stream. RNG games are predominantly single-player focused. While some RNG games offer live multiplayer tournaments, they can’t provide a shared table experience with a human dealer like live games can.
Technology Powering Live Dealer Games
Several key technologies enable online casinos to stream real-time footage of human dealers hosting games in production studios:
- Video Encoding – Video streams are encoded in high definition quality to broadcast studio footage to player devices without lag or buffering issues. Encoders compress and transmit video feed through streaming protocols.
- Optical Character Recognition – OCR algorithms analyze video frames to detect playing cards, translate characters and track gameplay elements like ball and wheel spins. This data gets communicated to player interfaces to update game results.
- Game Recovery Protocols – If stream connectivity issues occur, recovery algorithms help regain video feeds. They also ensure gameplay states are preserved so bets or outcomes aren’t lost.
- Geolocation – Geolocation tools confirm players accessing live dealer streams are within regulated jurisdictions approved for real-money gambling.
- Player Device Compatibility – Games are built using HTML5 or mobile-compatible code to ensure flawless playback across all devices. Screen size and quality are adjusted for desktop or mobile users.
- Operational Management Tools – Back-end management systems help operators monitor video streams, game analytics, dealer performance and operational issues. If anything disrupts studios during streams, failures can be quickly resolved.
The algorithms enabling real-time interaction are what set live dealer games apart. RNG games rely solely on randomized outcomes produced by software. Live games transform online gambling into a highly social, interactive experience through real-time video streams connecting players and dealers. The added transparency of seeing real people running casino equipment enhances the authenticity far beyond RNG games.
For online casino fans looking for the closest experience to a land-based casino from home, live dealer games check all the boxes. The innovative technology brings the thrill of the casino floor straight to your mobile or desktop. Dealers call bets just like sitting at the real tables while specialized algorithms handle video encoding, stream operation, geolocation services and managing the interactive player features other online games simply cannot match.