logo
Live CasinosGuidesHow Does an Online Live Casino Work?

How Does an Online Live Casino Work?

Last updated: 18.12.2025
Nathan Williams
Published by:Nathan Williams
How Does an Online Live Casino Work? image

Live casinos have been a big hit for a while now. There's so much on offer that it sometimes needs a bit of a breakdown to understand exactly how it all works. But with live dealers front and centre, this setup gives players a truly unique and fresh casino experience right here in South Africa.

If you're new to the scene and looking to grasp how a live casino operates, don't stress! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about live casinos. So, stick around and let's dive in. Let's get started, bru!

What Exactly Is a Live Casino?

At its heart, a live casino features a live dealer experience. This is the magic ingredient that sets live casinos apart. Online casino sites in South Africa have boomed in popularity largely thanks to this immersive feature. When you're playing table games, you'll see a real dealer appear on your screen, and you can even chat with them.

  • The dealer is usually set up in front of a high-quality camera that streams their every move live. What's more, the cards in the deck are fitted with tiny microchips that connect to some seriously smart computer software. This tech handshake between the microchips and software means that when the dealer deals the cards, the program instantly interprets it and displays it on your screen in real-time.
  • Naturally, the dealer will hang tight until you've placed your virtual bet before dealing any hands. Just like at your favourite land-based casino, there might be a few other players at the table too. Once everyone's bet is in, the dealer gets going. They'll scan each card as they draw it from the deck.
  • While you can see the cards being dealt, the scanning is super important. It's what keeps the program updated and mirrors the action on your screen. You'll see all your vital stats there, like your current hand value.
  • The dealer will wait patiently for each player to make their move – hit, stand, double down, whatever it may be – just like at a regular casino. The hand wraps up once all players and the dealer have had their turn. Then, bets are settled super quick – winnings are paid out or losses are taken – and you're ready for the next round, much smoother than at a physical casino.

How the Camera Setup Works

First off, the camera is a seriously key piece of kit. It's what lets us stream the dealer live to you. Today's tech means we can use smaller, more powerful cameras to beam those live feeds directly to your screen.

To get a clearer picture, let's look at a live roulette table. You'll typically find three different cameras at play: one giving you the overall table view, another zooming in on the cards or betting layout, and a third one focused on the wheel itself, often used for that handy picture-in-picture display.

Behind the Scenes: The Tech You Don't See

Another vital piece of tech is the Game Control Unit (GCU). Think of it as a smart little box, about the size of a shoebox, attached to each table. It's the brains behind encoding the video stream for the website and other platforms. The GCU is basically the dealer's control centre for all this high-tech wizardry. Keep this in mind: live casino games would be impossible without it, so understanding its role is key.

The Live Dealer

The dealer is required to manage the game, as you would expect. Players wouldn't know the difference between a live online casino platform and a brick-and-mortar casino once they started playing if a dealer was present. The dealer isn't just a face; the dealer would still need to be familiar with the game's rules since he would still need to behave normally while dealing with the cards.

Since a dealer is a living person, any actual transactions are now transformed into data by special software. The optical character recognition program is one of the translation tools (OCR).

With the use of this software, gamers may participate in a casino game and experience all the excitement without even realizing the difference. The fact that a real person chooses the winners is the finest feature of what live casinos have to offer. The dealer decides the outcome in front of your monitor, not a preprogrammed computer.

Moreover, an excellent live casino wouldn't put up with a dealer who didn't know the rules of the game, so they put them through extensive training. With the advancement of technology, a smart card could now track every move the dealer made.

Wheel

Now, wheels might only be available in some games at the casino. So, it will depend on what type of game you play in the live casino, as not all feature wheels. Wheels often have built-in sensors, and the casino software communicates with them. Casinos collaborate with leading casino configuration manufacturers.

Monitor

What online gamers view on their displays can be displayed on the monitor. You'd be better off sitting in a different position if you want to avoid being seen on the screen, as there are so-called blind spots present in most cameras.

The dealer also benefits from having a monitor since it motivates them to act when required and allows them to keep track of the bets that can be opened and closed. The dealer may view the online players on the monitor as well. Because players and dealers may communicate, as was already indicated, any problem is quickly resolved.

Location of The Studios

It would be best if you considered the nation in which the provider is headquartered when weighing the benefits and drawbacks of opening an account at a live dealer casino. The best course of action is to choose another casino if you are unable to locate any information regarding the operator's location. The majority of the time, live dealer casinos stream from either their own on-site live casino or a conventional land-based casino.

Even if you have yet to keep up with worldwide casino business developments, you have undoubtedly heard of some of the most alluring gaming locales on the planet. Unfortunately, there aren't many countries that provide casino games in an Internet format, but thankfully, more and more governments are contemplating legalizing remote gambling.

The Optical Camera Recognition (OCR)

Some of you might know what optical camera recognition is and how amazing it is that this option is now available in live casinos. This is the technology that captures every nuance of the game environment and enables players to transmit it to them over a video link. Players may place their wagers on a console on their computer screen. There is also a live chat operator accessible if customers want assistance.

Everything can be converted into a valuable piece of electronic data thanks to OCR. For example, the procedure of playing a live dealer casino game is highly similar to that of games found in brick-and-mortar casinos since the Optical Camera Recognition technology captures every movement, including the distribution of hands, the spinning of the wheel, and the shuffling of the cards.

Ultimate Convenience?

It goes without saying that live casinos offer the most excellent convenience. When it comes to comfort, live casinos outperform land-based casinos by a wide margin. Many gamers prioritize convenience over anything else. Who wouldn't like playing their favorite games in a familiar environment? Players may enjoy live casinos more as a result of being able to use the live dealer option.

Live casinos provide players with the freedom to play their favorite games whenever and wherever they desire. Moreover, since they will be working in shifts, the players will have immediate access to the game, which includes live dealers. Now more than ever, playing online is simple and convenient, and gamers don't even have to leave their homes.

Fair Games

You could assume that if you play online, the game won't be fair to you. However, you don't need to worry because other software is also present in addition to the dealers being featured live. One of the key draws of live dealer games is their fairness. Because there is no RNG, every deal or spin has an unexpected consequence, and the actions of a real dealer greatly influence every game's outcome. Everything happens in front of your eyes, just like in a physical casino.

In order to show that the games are not pre-recorded, many live casino studios have also added TV screens to the background of each table. Since every game is broadcast live, you may see the news as it is happening right now on TV.

Conclusion

Trying to understand how a live casino works is not that hard. After that, try to learn about the modern technologies used in the live casinos along with the software. Then, learn about the games being played in those live casinos and figure out your favorite one. It would be best if you also learned about the location of the studios and the optical camera recognition. Then, you can learn about the other features a live casino has to offer. Such as live chatting, ultimate convenience, and fair game results. This way, you might entirely understand what live online gambling is.

FAQ

How Do Live Dealer Games Work at Online Casinos in South Africa?

Live dealer games at online casinos use real-time streaming. You join a game with a real dealer who manages the game (deals cards, spins the roulette wheel). You place your bets and make decisions digitally using your device.

Can I Chat with the Live Dealers and Other Players?

Yes, you can! Most online live casinos have a chat feature. This lets you talk to the dealer and sometimes other players at the table. It makes the game more social and fun.

Are Live Casino Games Online Fair?

Yes, they are fair. Gaming authorities regulate and check them. The dealers are trained pros, and the games use real cards and roulette wheels, just like at a real brick-and-mortar casino.

What Kinds of Games Can I Play at Online Live Casinos?

You can play many games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker. Some casinos also have unique game show-style games. The games available depend on the casino you choose.

Can I Play Live Casino Games on My Phone or Tablet in South Africa?

Yes, many online live casinos work well on mobile devices. You can play on your smartphone or tablet. The experience is similar to playing on a computer, but the screen is adapted to be smaller.

What Do I Need to Start Playing at a Live Casino Online?

You need a good internet connection, a device (computer, tablet, or phone), and an account with an online casino that offers live dealer games. You also need to deposit ZAR to place bets. Remember to gamble responsibly.

Related Guides