Live Dealer vs. RNG Online Casino Games: Which Is Better?

While there’s an ever-expanding collection of premium online casino games available, some players may miss the atmosphere of an authentic and bustling casino. These players enjoy the action and interacting with the dealer during table games, like poker, blackjack, and roulette.

Enter live dealer casino games. This is one of the newest types of online casino games and delivers all the perks of live gaming anytime, anywhere, including face-to-face interactions between players and dealers. But does this mean this category of online casino live dealer games is better than tried-and-tested RNG online casino games?

The Key Differences Between Live Dealer and RNG Online Casino Games

When playing casino games online, players can choose to try live dealer games or their RNG online casino game equivalents. Live dealer games are more grounded in reality, while RNG online casino games are the video game equivalent of real-life betting games, but there are many differences between these online gambling experiences. 

Here’s a closer look at how these two types of online casino games work.

How Live Dealer and RNG Online Casino Games Work

In a live dealer game, players participate in an online gambling experience live-streamed from a real casino game table in a real casino game studio. A trained croupier or dealer hosts the game, whether that means dealing cards, spinning a roulette wheel, or rolling some dice. 

High-definition cameras capture and send the action to the player’s screen in real time, with every action tracked by special hardware and software. Players then interact with the game using the game’s virtual interface, and each outcome is decided by the physical elements of that game back in the studio.

Random number generator, or RNG, online casino games exist entirely in the digital world, with every aspect of the game being converted into code. Whether it’s the visuals, audio, or even luck, every aspect of the game is software-based. 

For players wondering how luck exists in a digital space, a certified and audited algorithm is continuously creating new strings of random numbers. These random numbers are used to create the output of the game on the screen, whether that’s what card appears next, where the roulette ball lands, or which numbers are visible when the dice stop rolling. All of these digital elements come together to simulate what players would expect to happen when they try their luck with a real-life casino game.

Hardware Differences

Due to the differences in how these games work, players might require slightly different hardware to have an enjoyable experience.

Live dealer games are essentially a livestream video feed with a basic game interface overlay. To run live dealer games well, the player needs a reliable broadband or 5G connection and a device that handles constant HD streaming and processing of the game data. Players will typically only require a mid-range smartphone or laptop to have a smooth experience when putting their luck to the test at an online casino with live dealer titles.

RNG online casino game titles have lower data requirements and will function on a slower, stable internet connection. A mid-range smartphone or laptop can spin hundreds of rounds since the graphics, audio, and gameplay processing are relatively simple for most modern hardware. 

Real-World Luck vs. RNG

In live casino game studios, luck comes from physical randomness that’s present in each game. Dice, shufflers, and roulette wheels decide the result, just as they do in a land-based casino. In RNG titles, the algorithm supplies the randomness, replacing physical chance with digital randomization. 

Ensuring Fairness

Both of the previous ways luck is determined must meet strict statistical audits before regulators approve the games for the public. Third-party labs are involved in the auditing of both formats to ensure the game offers fair results. 

For live studios, firms such as eCOGRA review camera angles, card shoes, and dealing procedures, then verify that the on-screen data matches what happens on the felt. For RNG games, auditors pull the source code, run millions of simulated rounds, and make sure each possible result appears at the proper mathematical rate. 

Before placing a bet on any online casino game, players can check the bottom of the online casino website pages to see which organizations are responsible for regulating the games on that particular website. Players can also search for the regulating bodies in their region and check directly on the regulatory websites to see if an online casino is regulated and trustworthy.  

This means that players can expect the same experience when engaging with both live dealer and RNG versions of casino games, regardless of whether those games have the worst odds or the best odds.

The Difference in Minimum Betting Prices

There is also a difference in costs when it comes to betting on both these types of games. 

Running a live casino game studio means dealers, camera operators, and other staff must be paid, and there are additional costs for acquiring and maintaining the physical space,  hardware for streaming, and other real-world costs. Those overheads push minimum stakes higher than regular RNG-based online casino games.

RNG online casino games carry none of those costs. There is the initial cost of developing a game, including its graphics, audio, and the code to actually play the game, but once these costs are covered, a single server can host many instances of the same game. This is why the minimum wagers for RNG online casino games are generally much lower than their live dealer counterparts.

The Pros and Cons of Live Dealer and RNG Online Casino Games

Live dealer games and regular online games offer different experiences, both of which come with unique advantages and disadvantages. 

Live Dealer Games

• Pros: Real-time interaction with a human dealer, authentic casino atmosphere, and chat features that add a social feel.
• Cons: Slower pace, higher table limits, limited seats in some games, and a need for a faster, more stable internet connection. 

RNG Online Casino Games

• Pros: Fast rounds, convenient 24-hour availability with unlimited seats, and flexible stakes that suit small bankrolls.
• Cons: Less immersion, no live chat with dealers, and excitement that relies on graphics and sound rather than the social aspects of the game.

Which Type of Online Casino Game Suits Different Types of Players?

The player who values atmosphere, dealer banter, and table etiquette may lean toward live dealer blackjack or roulette and accept slightly higher limits for the added realism.

The player who wants rapid-fire hands, very low stakes, or the freedom to pause mid-session may prefer RNG titles. These games also suit commuters or anyone on a limited data plan because they load quickly and use minimal bandwidth.

A Few Examples of Similar Live Dealer and RNG Online Casino Games

Players who aren’t sure which type of online casino game is right for them can try similar games to see which offers them the most enjoyable experience. This will help them choose between the RNG online casino games and the live dealer casino games available in Ontario. Here are a few examples of live dealer games and an RNG counterpart.