Live Dealers: Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

Is betting with live dealers, via real-time streaming video, the wave of the future? You’ll get a different answer depending on who you speak with.
As an affiliate, your job is to refer as many people as possible to the online casinos that offer the best experience. Will you be able to increase your click through rate, retention rate, and overall return on investment (ROI) by focusing more time and resources on live dealers?
The concept of live dealers is simple. A dealer is setup in front of a camera, either in a studio or casino setting. The camera streams live video of the game to an interface, allowing players to partake “in real time” much in the same way as they would at a brick and mortar casino.
A Big Thumbs Up in the Trust Department
A higher level of trust is the number one reason players are attracted to live dealer online casinos. Since you can see the action unfolding in front of you, there is no guess work – you are either a winner or a loser.
By making the process as transparent as possible, more players are inclined to setup and deposit money. As an affiliate, this is exactly what you are looking for.
Tip: Play up the “trust” factor on your website. This will increase click-throughs as well as your player sign up rate.
Speed – A Potential Thumbs Down
There is one complaint that comes up time and time again: the speed of live dealer games. The length of time between hands is generally longer than you will find in traditional online casinos and land based establishments.
At first, players relish the extra time. This gives them the chance to consider all their options, hopefully increasing their odds of success. However, it can become painful and time consuming once you are familiar with the system and how it works.
While the lag time varies, it is typically 30 to 45 seconds between a completed game and the new deal. If nothing else, it is worth noting that most casinos feature a “timer countdown” so you know how much time you have remaining before the next hand starts.
If things weren’t already going slow enough, there is one other detail to consider: players are given extra time on multi-player table games to make their bet decision.
Check out our recent Skype interview with Gian Perroni of Visionary iGaming, as he discusses the potential of live dealer games.
Free Game Play?
As you are aware, many of your players open a free account to get their feet wet. Until they deposit money, you don’t get paid.
With live dealer games, this is not an issue – most casinos do not offer the ability to play for free. To take part in the action players must open a “real” account. Of course, they don’t have to start betting right away. They can sit back, take in the action, and jump in once they are familiar with the process.
By forcing players to open a real account, your conversion rate could greatly increase by pushing live dealer casinos over more traditional options.
If nothing else, now is a great time for affiliates to strike it big with live dealer games. Players are curious and willing to get involved. With blackjack, roulette, and baccarat ruling the live dealer world, players have plenty of options.
For more information on live dealer casinos and to discuss with other affiliate, visit our Live Dealer Thread.