When establishing an online casino, casino slots, online betting, esports betting, one significant dilemma is choosing between live dealers and a fully digital approach. Live dealers mean customers engage with games via live streams, with a real person handling the cards. This approach, popular among players, replicates the traditional casino atmosphere while offering convenience. While the appeal of live interaction is undeniable, what implications does it hold for the casino? This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating live dealers in an online casino.
Dealing in Reality: Live Dealers
Since online casinos emerged in 1996, the live dealer format has been incredibly successful. With countless casinos available around the clock, players can enjoy the experience from the comfort of their homes. Let’s explore the reasons behind this popularity:
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Customer Satisfaction with Live Dealers
A large majority of online casino players appreciate the personalized interaction provided by live dealers, as it enhances the feeling of being in a real casino. This is advantageous for casino operators, as satisfied customers tend to stay longer, play more frequently, and ultimately generate higher revenue. Moreover, engaged customers are more receptive to promotions and likely to recommend the site to others. In the past, some unethical casinos used pre-recorded footage to mislead players into thinking the games were live. Nowadays, many casinos display live news feeds in the background as proof of authenticity.
The Human Touch
Despite technological advancements, nothing surpasses the experience and proficiency of a human dealer. Live dealers not only manage games and observe players but also possess the ability to detect subtle behavioral cues that technology might miss, such as cheating or signs of problem gambling.
Ensuring Fairness
Since live dealer games don’t rely on RNG (Random Number Generation), they are often perceived as fairer because the outcomes depend on the actions of an actual dealer. This method is considered to be more genuinely random compared to using a machine.
Attracting High Rollers with Live Dealers
Live dealer options in online casinos are usually not perceived as casual games. Consequently, casinos can set higher stakes and minimum deposits compared to non-live games.
The Downside of the Deal
Cost Considerations
Unsurprisingly, employing live dealers means casinos must cover their salaries. The average annual salary for a casino dealer in the UK starts at approximately £17,000, potentially reaching around £30,000 with experience. To maintain a casino wishing operation around the clock, this translates into a substantial financial investment in staffing.
The Pace of Play
Regrettably, games involving live dealers tend to progress slower than their non-live counterparts. This difference becomes more pronounced with multiple players, as the dealer must allocate sufficient time to each participant for fairness. This naturally limits the number of fewer games that can be played within a given timeframe.
Game Variety with Live Dealers
It’s unrealistic to expect every dealer to be proficient in every casino game. This can lead to disappointment for both customers and the casino when specific game requests cannot be accommodated.
Double the Technical Risk
We’ve all experienced the frustrations of slow streaming and technical glitches. Live dealer gaming relies on streaming technology for both players and the dealer, doubling the potential for issues. Such disruptions can be a turn-off for customers, prompting them to seek out more reliable platforms. The decision of whether to incorporate live dealers is rarely straightforward. While this approach offers numerous advantages, it also demands considerable time, financial investment, and ongoing maintenance to ensure smooth and enjoyable gaming experiences for customers.