Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos or internet casinos, are online versions of traditional brick-and-mortar casinos. Online casinos enable gamblers to play and wager on casino games through the internet.
Online casinos generally offer odds and payback percentages that are a bit higher than land-based casinos. Some online casinos claim higher payback percentages for slot machine games, and some publish payout percentage audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an appropriately programmed random number generator, table games like blackjack have an established house edge. The payout percentage for these games are established by the rules of the game.
Online casinos vary in their approach to the hosting of live games, with some providing live games via their own television channel, and others offering the games exclusively via their website. In the case of televised games, players can often use their mobile phone or television remote controls to place bets instead of doing so via a computer connected to the internet.
The most common live dealer games offered at online casinos are baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. In most cases, the only requirement for playing live dealer games is to have a stable internet connection and a device with a web browser.
Online casinos can be divided into two groups based on their interface: web-based and download-only casinos. Some casinos offer both interfaces.
Web-based online casinos
Web-based online casinos are websites where users can play casino games without downloading software to their local computers. Games are mainly represented in the browser plugins Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Shockwave, or Java and require browser support for these plugins. Also, bandwidth is needed since all graphics, sounds, and animations are loaded through the web via the plugin. Some online casinos also allow gameplay through an HTML interface. Apple devices such as iPod, iPad, and iPhone cannot play Flash games as the technology is not supported.
Download-based online casinos
Download-based online casinos require the download of the software client in order to play and wager on the casino games offered. The online casino software connects to the casino service provider and handles contact without browser support. Download-based online casinos generally run faster than web-based online casinos since the graphics and sound programs are cached by the software client, rather than having to be loaded from the internet.
On the other hand, the initial download and installation of a download-based online casino client do take time. As with any download from the internet, the risk of the program containing malware exists.
In comparison, the running costs associated with virtual games are very low, and online casinos are not uncommon to offer hundreds of different virtual casino games to players on their sites.
Online casinos offer many games, including blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, slot machines, and video poker. They also offer many variations of these games, such as Atlantic City blackjack, double exposure blackjack, European roulette, and single deck blackjack. In addition, many online casinos offer live dealer games where players can interact with a real human dealer through a live video feed.
Online casinos also offer many bonuses and promotions to attract new players and retain existing ones. These include welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, loyalty bonuses, and many others.
Online casinos are also heavily regulated by various regulatory bodies to ensure fair play and prevent fraud. For example, the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner are all well-respected regulatory bodies in the online gambling industry.
In conclusion, online casinos are a convenient and exciting way for people to enjoy their favorite casino games from the comfort of their own homes.