Regulators state that live dealer games rely on physical equipment standards, procedural dealing rules, and constant video recording to determine outcomes. It is not an animation. Cards drawn and wheel spins operate as physical events translated into computer data in real time.
Optical Scanners and Recorded Streams
Live casino setups position cameras over physical gaming tables to track every movement. As cards slide from the shoe or the roulette ball drops into a numbered pocket, optical character recognition (OCR) technology scans the physical symbols. The software reads this visual input rapidly. That translation allows the player interface to update in real time, mirroring the physical table result without manual data entry from the dealer.
Because these rounds occur in front of cameras, the entire session is recorded. If a customer questions a payout or challenges how a specific hand was scored, casino operators and regulators can consult the video archive to review the physical action. Regulatory oversight and technical equipment standards govern these operations, verifying that the scanned digital outcome matches what physically occurred on the cloth.
The Betting Window
The primary operational difference between automated digital games and live streams is the clock. In standard software casino games, players dictate the speed: a click deals a card immediately, and breaks can last indefinitely. Live tables run on a collective schedule.
A betting window opens between rounds, typically lasting 15 to 30 seconds between hands. Players must place their wagers on the digital layout before that timer runs out. Once the betting window closes, the software locks out further stakes, and the dealer begins the round. If a player pauses too long, the round continues without their participation.
Minimum Stakes and Table Ceilings
Live operations carry physical overheads, which shape stake limits across different titles. Automated software games frequently accept micro-stakes on standard blackjack or roulette layouts. Live dealer minimum bets typically start around €1 to €5, though the exact figures vary depending on the casino, the game, and the software provider.
Ceilings vary according to the format. Table limits can range from €0.20 on game-show-style tables to €10,000 or more on dedicated VIP blackjack tables. These boundaries create tiers for different bankrolls, offering entry points on mass-participation streams.
How Physical Integrity Is Audited
Fairness in live streams depends on physical mechanics. Fairness here rests on the physical kit and the drill around it: how the cards are shuffled, how often the wheel is checked for bias, and how the dealing is supervised.
Regulators oversee physical equipment rather than simply inspecting server code. Roulette wheels require regular balance checks to prevent mechanical bias from developing over time. Card decks must follow verified shuffling procedures before dealers introduce them to the shoe. When human error occurs, such as a card pulled out of sequence or misread by an optical scanner, the recorded video log acts as the definitive audit trail to resolve disputes.
The digital display only reflects what happens under the studio lighting. The game remains physical, bound to an active dealing procedure, constrained by a strict betting timer, and monitored through continuous video capture.