What Is the Difference Between a Live Casino and Online Casino
If you’re new to the world of online gambling, you’ve probably come across the terms “online casino” and “live casino,” which might leave you wondering about the difference between the two.
Online casinos have gained immense popularity for their convenience and accessibility. They allow players to enjoy a vast array of casino games from the comfort of their own homes, or even on the go by playing on their smartphone. As many people have discovered, playing casino games online on the internet can be as much fun as visiting a land-based casino.
Over the years, online casinos have innovated further, with many websites launching their own live casinos. Live casinos provide a unique and immersive experience that bridges the gap even further between virtual and land-based casinos. In this article, we’ll explain all the differences and distinctions between an online and live casino, exploring their respective features, advantages, and the overall experience they offer to gambling enthusiasts.
Online and live casino: The difference explained
The biggest difference between an online casino and a live casino lies in their approach to gameplay, or to be precise, how casino games are presented and played. Online casinos operate entirely through virtual platforms, where players engage with computer-generated simulations of popular casino games like blackjack, roulette, and video slots. These online casino games look like computer games in terms of graphics and animations. They rely on computer algorithms to determine fair outcomes.
In contrast, a live casino offer a more immersive and interactive gaming experience. They feature real-life dealers who conduct casino games in real-time, with players observing all the action through video streams. Players can interact with the dealer or even with other casino players, making it feel almost like you are standing in a land-based casino! Thanks to the high-definition video streams, players are provided with crystal-clear visuals of the gameplay. You can watch through multiple camera angles how the dealer shuffles cards in a game of blackjack, or watch how the little roulette ball drops into a pocket on the wheel. This ensures that players feel fully immersed in the gaming experience. Apart from live dealer games such as live blackjack and live roulette, the live casino experience also includes casino game shows hosted by charismatic presenters.
The biggest and most famous online casinos on the internet offer a wide range of virtual casino games as well as an extensive selection of live dealer games, combining both online and live casino experiences in one single platform.
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Choice of games
The game selection in an online casino differs from that of a live casino, although they can also share similarities. Online casinos typically offer a vast array of virtual games, encompassing classic table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as a plethora of modern video slots with diverse themes and features. The most popular versions of these games can usually be found in both online and live casinos. If we take the game of roulette, you will have no problem finding both online and live game versions of American Roulette, European Roulette, French Roulette, and even more innovative variants such as Double Ball Roulette.
There will however always be some exclusive live casino games that cannot be found in traditional online casinos. This is most common with live casino game shows such as Crazy Time or Monopoly Live, as these games are exclusively designed for the unique immersive environment of live casinos. The other way around, you can also find many games that can only be played virtually in an online casino, as these games simply cannot be replicated in a live casino environment. Video slots, with their advanced graphics and animations, simply aren’t feasible in a live setting. Additionally, online casinos may offer unique games like virtual scratch cards or virtual sports betting that cannot be found in live casinos.
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Software developers
Casino software studios, also known as game or software developers, are the companies that make the casino games you enjoy playing. These studios are responsible for creating the diverse array of casino games, ranging from classic slots and table games for online casinos, to innovative live dealer games and game shows for the live casino.
There can be a difference between software studios that make online casino games and those who make live casino games. Some casino software developers solely focus on one of theses two fields, given how different the gameplay is between online casino games and live casino games. Each subset of casino games requires a different kind of coding and designing, so you would need to have an expanded workforce and lots more resources to be able to design both online casino and live casino games as a software developer.
Moreover, when it comes to licencing, there is also a difference between online casino games and live casino games. Regulators such as the national gambling authorities of various countries establish different requirements for online casino games compared to live casino games. For online casino games, the focus is on ensuring the Random Number Generator (RNG) is fair and completely random in determining game outcomes. While some live casino games incorporate an RNG (especially in game shows), this aspect holds no real significance in live dealer games. Regulatory bodies primarily assess the professionalism and adherence to industry standards of live dealers hired by software companies, similar to the vetting process for dealers and croupiers in land-based casinos.
Because of this, you will find that it depends on the category of games which software developers are the best. In live casino gaming, Evolution Gaming is the market leader, with most casinos featuring table games and game shows made by this company. Companies like Microgaming, Kalamba Games, Iron Dog Studio, Thunderkick, are known for just their virtual games for the online casino, and mostly make all kinds of video slots. Then there are some software developers that make both online casino games and live casino games. For example, Pragmatic Play and Playtech are two big software studios that make both online casino games and live casino games. To be precise, they both have a subdivision (Pragmatic Play Live and Playtech Live) dedicated to live casino gaming.
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Betting limits
The difference in betting limits between an online casino and a live casino can vary depending on several factors, including the type of game being played and the specific casino operator. Although this makes it hard to generalise, there are some trends that can be seen among many different casino platforms.
In general, online casinos tend to offer a wider range of betting limits compared to live casinos. This is primarily due to the virtual nature of online casinos, which allows for greater flexibility in setting betting limits to accommodate a diverse range of players. Online casinos often cater to both casual players and high rollers by offering games with varying minimum and maximum bet limits, ensuring that players of all budgets can participate.
Compared to live casinos, you’ll find that especially when it comes to minimum betting limits, online casinos offer more flexibility. As live casino games are more expensive to host for a casino operator (given that a dealer or game show presenter needs to be paid, and a physical live casino studio needs to be designed and maintained), you’ll find that minimum betting limits are generally higher for live casino games than they are for virtual games in an online casino game. If you are a low-limit player, this is worth noticing. Although you may very well be able to find an online roulette game where you can place bets as low as $0,10, the minimum bet limit might be $2 or even $5 in a live casino.
Although live casinos may have more limited betting options on the lower end of the scale, they do often offer special VIP tables for high rollers. If you love high stakes gambling and like to bet big, you may find that the maximum bet limits of live dealer games can be a lot higher than they are for standard online casino table games. If we generalise a bit, we can say that low-limit players should opt for online casino games. At the other hand, high rollers should definitely look out for special VIP high-limit tables in live casinos.
However, it’s important to note that betting limits can vary widely between different online and live casinos, so players should always check the specific rules and limits of the games they wish to play.
Where to play the most exciting casino games
At Highrollerscasino.com, we have an overview of the best casinos for Canadian gamblers. At these casino platforms, you can find both online casino games as well as live casino games. Whether you are looking for an online casino with a fantastic video slot selection, or a live casino with all those popular live dealer games and game shows made by the likes of Evolution Gaming, you can find them right here on our website.
All casinos listed on Highrollerscasino.com are fully licenced by trustworthy government authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. That means that these casinos are guaranteed to be safe, secure and reliable. All games that are offered by these casinos are honest and both the casinos and their games are regularly audited by regulatory authorities to ensure their honesty and your online safety. If you happen to win some money, you can look forward to fast withdrawals, so you’ll never have to wait long to get your hands on your casino winnings!
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Conclusion
There are both differences as well as similarities between online and live casinos. The fundamental difference between an online casino and a live casino can be found in the gameplay and the way how games are presented and played. Online casinos exclusively operate through digital interfaces, offering players access to an extensive selection of virtual games like blackjack, roulette, and video slots.
A live casino at the other hand provides an immersive and engaging gaming experience by featuring real-life dealers or game hosts who present casino games in real-time. Through live video streams, players can observe every moment of the action, feeling as if they are present in a land-based casino.
Both casino experiences offers unique advantages and disadvantages. Online casinos excel in their ability to provide a vast array of games, making them an ideal choice for players seeking convenience and variety. On the other hand, live casinos offer authenticity and engagement, allowing players to interact with real dealers and enjoy the social dynamics of a traditional casino environment. Another difference has to do with betting limits, with traditional online casino games being more suitable for low-limit players as minimum betting limits are often higher in a live casino. At the other hand, high rollers may find themselves attracted more to live casino gaming, as maximum betting limits can sometimes be higher here. This is especially true if you can find a live games with dedicated VIP tables.
The choice between an online casino and a live casino ultimately depends on individual preferences, with both options providing ample opportunities for entertainment and excitement.
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