What is Live Casino Online?

Live casino online is a real-time gaming experience that recreates the thrill and atmosphere of land-based casinos. Players can interact with dealers in real time and chat, which creates a sense of community and increases the feeling of being at the table. They can also deposit and withdraw cash winnings, making it an ideal gaming option for those who don’t want to travel.

The games are streamed in HD video and can be played on both desktop and mobile devices. The user interface shows the live dealer and the game in action, with options to place bets and adjust settings. Players can also use the text chat function to communicate with the dealer and other players in real time, which is a great way to make friends and share excitement after a big win.

Some of the most popular live casino games are blackjack and roulette. The latter replicates the theater of a physical casino, as players watch the croupier spin the wheel and the ball bounce before it finally nestles into one of the pockets. You can normally play classic roulette variations such as European and American, along with games like Lightning Roulette which include multipliers to ramp up the excitement.

A key component of live casino online is the Global Control Unit, or GCU, which encodes the data from the live game and sends it to a player’s screen. This means that the results are reflected almost instantly, which is much faster than in a traditional casino. It also makes it easier to verify the results and ensures fairness for all players. In addition, the GCU can automatically detect wins and losses, which are then deducted from or awarded to a player’s balance.

Many of the best online live casino sites are powered by leading software providers such as Evolution Gaming and NetEnt. The former offers a range of blackjack, baccarat and roulette variants as well as poker games, craps and game shows. In the US, it operates studios in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and West Virginia and is a market leader for live dealer casinos online. It has also built partnerships with some of the country’s most prestigious land-based casinos.

Another big name in the industry is Ezugi, which was acquired by Evolution in 2018. They offer a fresh take on classic games and feature multiple betting options to suit all bankrolls. In addition, their mobile platform is slick and easy to use. Both companies are growing quickly in the US and offer a real-time, immersive and sociable casino gaming experience for players from the comfort of their home.