In just over a decade, online casinos have gone from being small, text-based newsgroups, run by and for hardcore gaming enthusiasts, into massive multinational affairs with hundreds of games, slick animated graphics and stunning stereo sound. In fact, online casinos are now one of the web's most popular attractions. Up until very recently, the games on offer in online casinos were all automated, with a random number generator on a remote computer deciding the outcomes of all the card shuffles, dice throws, and wheel spins that are needed by casino games. This was, and remains, a popular approach, but many players feel that these types of games pale in comparison with their real life casino equivalents.

For starters, an automated dealer is unable to interact with the players for obvious reasons, which can make the gaming experience feel a little hollow. Also, the player has to trust that the random number generator is really as random as its name implies. While most online casinos are independently audited and regulated to ensure that there is no foul play at work, the suspicion remains that the casino could be fixing results in their favour, just because there is no visual evidence to prove otherwise.

In recent times, however, a competitor to the random number generator online casino games of old has emerged, in the form of live casino gaming. In a live casino, human dealers spin roulette wheels, shuffle and deal cards, or throw dice to decide the outcome of games, and you can see this via a live video link. The players can interact with the dealers, and with each other, via a headset or instant messaging. This makes the games a whole lot more fun and sociable than their traditional online casino equivalents. Being able to see a real roulette wheel being spun, or real cards being dealt, simply looks a lot better than even the best computer animation. Also, any doubts that may persist about the randomness of the random number generators used are banished, due to the fact that they have been replaced with real gaming equipment operated by real human presenters. This level of transparency means that you can be a lot more confident about putting your money down than you might be when playing at a traditional online casino.

Already, live casinos are fast overtaking traditional online casinos in popularity, due to the fact that they are a lot more fun to play, better to look at, more interactive, and more transparent. While only a few of the simpler casino games are currently available in the live format, such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and Sic Bo, it is surely only a matter of time before the menu at live casinos starts to rival those of traditional online casinos. So, if you are hankering for the atmosphere of a brick and mortar casino, but want all of the advantages of convenience that an online casino has to offer, then you would be well advised to pay a visit to a live casino in the near future.

One of the most popular websites which offers live casino games, their game suite includes live roulette, live blackjack and live baccarat – all complete with a £50 sign-up bonus to get your tongue wagging. Register today and try them out for free, no payment details or downloads required.