Should Your Casino Host Online or Live Dealer Baccarat?
In the world of online casinos, it’s important for companies to have a large library of games so they can draw in a variety of customers. This is especially important for a game like baccarat, which tends to be a huge draw at casinos. But is it better for your online casino to buy online baccarat casino software, host live dealer baccarat games, or do both? In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both game types.
Table of Contents
1. Online Baccarat
1.1 Cheaper For Your Company and Players
1.2 Random Number Generator Algorithms
1.3 Playing Solo
1.4 Your Players Set the Pace
2. Live Dealer Baccarat
2.1 Higher Costs Overall
2.2 Socialization & Entertainment
2.3 Transparency & Control
3. Call to Action
Online Baccarat
Cheaper For Your Company and Players
Online casinos are generally cheaper to run, as your company does not need to pay for rental of a brick-and-mortar location, along with expenses like lights, cameras, and even dealers. All you need is a website plus the costs of whatever baccarat software for your gambling website that you purchase from game providers like Nautilus.
These savings can be then passed on to your players in the form of cheaper buy-in prices. And if the buy-in prices for baccarat are cheaper, that also means players may be encouraged to play and spend more. For example, at a physical casino, minimum baccarat bets can sometimes cost players between $50 to $100, while at online casinos, you can afford to lower that cost, possibly even to a minimum of a few cents!
Random Number Generator Algorithms
Since baccarat software for your gambling website doesn’t have dealers on hand to perform duties like card shuffling and dealing hands, your company’s backend software acts as the “dealer.” Gambling software typically utilises a Random Number Generator (RNG), which randomises outcomes. This is to make sure the game’s operations involving cards are truly random and fair.
While this may seem better than having a human dealer who can make mistakes, not every baccarat player prefers an impersonal RNG handling things. Some like human dealers for the interactive aspect, while others like the fact that human error provides a degree of risk as well as opportunity. High-rolling players may be less prone to betting big when playing with the RNG.
Playing Solo
And speaking of interaction, online baccarat casino software definitely provides a very solitary sort of game, with a different atmosphere. There is a distinctly slower pace and lack of energy in online baccarat casino software games compared to live casino ones.
Online baccarat casino software games can only simulate a baccarat table, after all. Even versions of online baccarat where multiple players can participate tend to have limited ways for those players to interact, like a very barebones online chat feature.
Your Players Set the Pace
Having said that, this lack of interaction isn’t necessarily a bad thing, depending on your company’s target audience.
Some players choose online baccarat casino software games because they like to take things at their own pace, especially when they are new to the game. There are no compulsory timers in online baccarat casino software, allowing them time to take breaks, ponder bets, or even wander off to attend to other matters first. This is something your customers won’t get at a live dealer baccarat table, where even when they play alone, they still need to respect the dealer’s time.
This also means they can play at their own convenience: any time, anywhere, instead of needing to wait for a dealer and table’s availability. This translates to a higher player volume, and more frequent visits to your online casino. In this aspect, baccarat software for your gambling website is superior to live dealers.
Live Dealer Baccarat
Higher Costs Overall
Compared to online baccarat casino software, live dealer baccarat will definitely cost your company a lot more, especially if none of your company’s other games require a physical location. Renting out a studio or room just for live dealer baccarat might not be the best idea.
And of course, there are the other costs mentioned above, including hiring dealers and buying equipment, plus the maintenance needed to ensure games live streamed from the physical location run smoothly.
Socialization & Entertainment
Many players who flock to physical casinos or live dealer lobbies for baccarat do so because of the social aspect.
Instead of staring at a screen full of abstract graphics in baccarat software, your casino’s live dealer baccarat players get to enjoy the thrill and excitement of betting alongside other players. Live dealer lobbies also tend to allow interaction with the dealer as well, creating even more opportunities to banter.
The atmosphere of a live dealer baccarat lobby is also an important factor cited by many players. Even if they can’t visit a physical casino, they can at least feel like they’re in one, since the livestream captures details like the room decor and baccarat table.
Having a physical room also allows your casino to set the mood better, with things like lighting colour and wallpaper. All these psychological factors have been proven by research to play a role in how much and how frequently players bet.
Transparency & Control
Transparency is a very important factor for gamblers. They want to make sure that your casino isn’t cheating them out of their money. The general perception of live dealer baccarat games is that they are more transparent, as players can see the cards while they are shuffled and dealt.
This helps to alleviate any suspicions or worries players may have about rigged games, which may dampen their mood if left unaddressed.
Another aspect of live dealer baccarat games that benefits your players, is that these games give them more control. With the RNG in baccarat software, the outcomes are already predetermined when your software executes them. But with live dealer baccarat, players can observe the dealer’s actions and decision-making, which helps them consider their own moves carefully. This is especially important to your more skilled players, who will prefer to strategize as much as possible instead of relying on randomness.
Call to Action
When deciding whether to purchase online baccarat software or host live baccarat games, or possibly even both, it’s important to make sure your company considers its target markets and goals carefully before acting. Choosing the right provider is also important, and reliable providers like Nautilus, which has a library of over 30 games and robust customer support, should be the standard your company aims for.
