You can play roulette, blackjack, poker, and other classic games in land-based casino venues, as well as online. However, nowadays, online casinos do their best to provide you with just about the same game experience as in a real physical establishment, and they kind of succeed. All you need is a good internet connection.
The game offerings of live casino sites have even surged in popularity, especially in Canada, where recent data shows a 30% increase in online casino players over the past few years. There are many reasons for that, and in this article, we’ll compare the biggest pros and cons of online vs. traditional gaming.
Available Games in Land-Based Casinos
Traditional land-based casinos attract players with a diverse array of popular games, including slot machines, as this is the most popular type of game among Canadians. Some venues even offer more appealing tables than the best online live dealer casinos in Canada. Here is a list of the game offerings you can most often find in physical establishments in the country:
- Slot Machines
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Poker (including Texas Hold’em and Omaha)
- Baccarat
- Craps
- Sic Bo
- Keno
- Bingo
One of the unique aspects of these ordinary casino venues is the immersive, multi-sensory environment they offer. The sounds of spinning reels, the bright lights and the luxurious surroundings create an unmatched atmosphere. The clinking of chips, the shuffle of cards, and the celebratory cheers of winners combine to make the experience tangible and thrilling – something you can’t experience in the same way even at the best live casino sites in Canada.
Another great characteristic of the game offerings in land-based venues is that players can engage with others at the tables, read opponents’ body language, and even exchange banter while playing. Normally, there are two popular zones with games – an area with all kinds of slot machines and a zone with all kinds of table games. Some casino establishments can have private table rooms for VIP players, also known as high-limit zones.
Game Offerings at Live Dealer Casino Sites
When it comes to the best live casinos in Canada available online, you can easily see some major differences in the game offerings. Now, the emphasis is on software platforms and the game studios that broadcast these live table games with real dealers online. This form of gambling rapidly gained popularity by offering players the chance to enjoy classic table games, but directly streamed live to their devices.
You can experience the thrill of a traditional casino without leaving your home or when you are on the go, anytime, anywhere. There is an opportunity for real-time interaction with the dealers and fellow players through live chat features, replicating the social aspect of land-based casinos to a certain extent. However, the quality of the game depends entirely on the software platform behind it. Here are the most popular game studios of live dealer games online:
- Evolution
- Playtech
- Pragmatic Play Live
- Ezugi
- Authentic Gaming
- Vivo Gaming
- Extreme Live Gaming
- SA Gaming
- XPG (XPro Gaming)
When you play at Canada’s leading live online casinos, you can also find innovative and exclusive games like Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and Crazy Time. These game show-style offerings combine elements of chance and entertainment and are not typically found in land-based casinos. Besides, you can access these online games 24/7 from all your desktop or mobile devices. There is no need to travel or adhere to casino hours, which is probably one of the biggest advantages of playing online.
Factors for Assessment, Pros, and Cons
Next, we would like to present you with a quick pros and cons analysis of the online live game offerings compared with real casino venues. It is something like the summary of all that has been said above. Yet, we also touch on important additional highlights not to be missed.
- Ordinary casino venues have about a dozen live tables, while online casinos can offer hundreds.
- Live online games are available 24/7 and are more convenient.
- The in-person social interaction in physical casinos is unmatched and is a great advantage.
- There are frequent bonuses at live casino sites and fewer or none in land-based venues.
- Online live dealer casinos offer more game features, such as bet history and helpful statistics.
- Playing at casino sites licensed by state organizations, such as the AGCO, guarantees fair game results.
- The cost of participation at casino sites is lower as it does not involve travel expenses.
- Traditional casinos provide a more immersive and realistic atmosphere, while the online atmosphere is virtual.
- Land-based gambling establishments offer instant payouts of your winnings, while at live casino sites, you have to use an online payment method and wait for the funds.
- You can play multiple games or at multiple casinos simultaneously when you do it online.
This comparison shows only the main pros and cons of the two types of game offerings. Yet, players are different, and there is no universal answer to the question, “What is the best”. You need to find the type of gaming that meets your requirements and expectations.
Conclusion: Land-Based or Online Live Casinos?
There is no definitive answer to this question because there is no universal type of casino player. Some prefer to enjoy a road trip to a huge casino complex with friends and other fellow players, book a hotel room and stay for a night or two to play their favourite table games. Other players prefer the convenience of playing from home or on the go via their mobile devices.
Of course, some players love all kinds of live table games, be it online or in a physical casino venue. The goal is to find the type of game that suits your style, and that keeps you entertained. Also, please don’t forget to play responsibly. In Canada, you can use the services of numerous social organizations, such as the Responsible Gambling Council, BeGambleAware, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and others.
