How live casino tables manage real-time payouts

Regular online casino payouts are pretty straightforward: the random outcome is determined, and the player’s balance is updated accordingly — nice and simple.

When it comes to live casino payouts, however, the process is a bit more complicated, but just as quick.

What is a real-time payout?

When playing live casino games, you’ve probably noticed how the funds are instantly added (or taken away) from your balance while the live dealer continues to do their thing. That’s a real-time payout.

While RNG-based online casinos use an algorithm to determine the outcome and adjust the balance, when it comes to games streamed live, there’s some pretty clever tech working in the background.

Digitising Live Casino Results 

It starts with OCR technology (Optical Character Recognition), which acts as the eyes of the game. It scans and keeps track of what cards are being dealt, or where the ball lands on the roulette wheel, in real time. Once the data is captured, it creates a digital record of who won or lost.

The GCU (Game Control Unit) syncs up the live stream and the game data, allowing websites like PokerStars to quickly process winnings (or deduct losses) once the game ends.

But it’s not just backend programs that keep payouts running smoothly. Dealers track the bets, previous results, and game outcomes using a touchscreen interface. A floor manager is usually close by too, albeit in the background, making sure everything’s running smoothly.

Online Casinos Like To Payout Quickly

Real-time payouts are in the best interest of the online casino, too. Casinos know the faster a player see their winnings, the more they trust them, which could make the player want to stick around.

It’s not all about retaining guests either; fast payouts lead to good reviews that attract new players. If an online casino starts dragging its heels when it comes to payouts, especially during a live game, it can make people nervous and ruin the entire experience, even if the balance eventually gets updated. 

Real-time payouts also help casinos avoid legal headaches and compliance complaints. Too many issues and regulators can come down on them like a ton of bricks, jeopardising the entire business.

What Helps Win Big Casino Payouts

There’s never a guarantee you’ll win, and the truth is, online casino games rely heavily on luck. That said, playing games with high RTPs (Return to Player) can improve your odds the more hands or spins you play. 

Some games aren’t just about luck, though; they need skill. Online Blackjack, for example, is all about knowing when to hit or stand. A great tool for newer players is a simple strategy chart, which can advise you on the smartest move based on the cards you’ve been dealt.

Another way to increase your chances of big payouts is by taking advantage of promotions that give you a bonus based on how much you deposit — the higher your balance, the more games you can play. Some platforms even enter you into prize draws just for playing with a live dealer. That’s why it’s worth allowing your online casino to send you emails about the latest promos.

Hackers Also Work In Real-Time

When it comes to casino security (land-based or online), preventing fraud is one of the top priorities. With live casino games sharing data in real-time, it’s important that they keep the balance accurate and totally tamper-proof. They do this by encrypting the data shared between the studio/casino and the player’s screen, stopping sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. Secure servers and firewalls also help stop data breaches and account hacks.

This, combined with OCR and GCU technology, lets players focus on having fun.