Finding the Best Live Casino Online
Live games are either streamed from a purposefully built studio or broadcast straight from the floor of a brick-and-mortar casino. Either way, all casinos who have a license deal with the supplier of the live games or the land-based casino offer their players a seat at the table. So, since you can join the same game from hundreds of live casinos, how do you pick the right live casino site to register with?
For starters, check out our selection of the best live casino reviews and read on for our practical advice on how to do your own research.
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
What Is an Online Live Casino?
The last decade has seen an explosion in the popularity of live dealer casinos. A live casino is exactly what it sounds like, casino games that are broadcast live to players. Players can enjoy all of the traditional casino card and table games, such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more, with the benefit of a professionally trained live casino dealer or croupier. At the best live casino sites, players will have a choice of dealer and will find tables with betting ranges to suit every sized budget.
The live casino games are broadcast from either specially designed studios or from land-based casinos located around the world. They utilize the latest technologies to provide high definition video streams complete with live audio to immerse players in the casino ambience. The games are also packed with features that enhance the experience such as live chat, statistical analysis and so on.
In recent years, every online live dealer casino has started branching out to casual players. This has seen the introduction of an entirely new category of games, game shows. Often these games are based upon something as simple as the spin of a fortune wheel. The idea is that the games take no time to learn, offer the chance of significant winnings, and give everyone the chance to enjoy the live casino atmosphere.
Some live casino games providers even offer Asian games such as Teen Patti and Andar Bahar. You will also find live dealer games available in a variety of languages (German, French, Portuguese, and more). In other words, the best online live casinos have something for every type of player.
Best Live Casino Game
Our experts recommend
“Immersive Roulette”
- Software:
- RTP: 97.30%
- Min Bet: $1
- Max Bet: $1 000
-
AutoplayMobileSide Bets
Licensing, Regulation and Trust
This is where you should always start, regardless of whether you’re going to be playing slots, live dealer casino games, or some obscure game from a niche developer. Opt in for a casino that is licensed by the regulatory body in your jurisdiction and hosts a valid license that testifies to its compliance with the regulations.
Another thing to cross off the list is SSL encryption to ensure that your personal data and all financial transactions carried out are kept secret and protected from prying eyes, when playing at the live dealer online casino of your choice.
Look for the live casino’s public audit. This is a report drawn up after the casino has been checked for fairness by independent third-party agencies such as iTechLabs, QUINEL, or eCOGRA. These organizations carry out checks of the casino’s RNG to ensure that all games are random and fair, and, although live games don’t use RNG as the dealer does all the shuffling, such an audit testifies to the casino’s use of good practices.
It’s also a good idea to check in advance if the live casino works with approved ADR (Approved Alternative Dispute Resolution) providers that will settle an issue between the casino and players.
Selection and Features of the Live Dealer Casino Games Online
Once you’ve made sure the live online casino is legit, it’s time to check out the live lobby. As mentioned, the games with real dealers are streamed from either a studio or a casino floor, with the former being usually the case. It’s almost a given that if a casino has a live games section, it will feature roulette, blackjack, and baccarat; however, developers like Evolution are adding more options such as game shows, casino poker, and some not so popular games like Sic Bo, Hi Lo, and more.
Although the live casino games follow the standard rules, they have a distinct look as the providers opt for different aesthetic and gameplay dynamic for each table. It takes just one glance at the thumbnails of the games in the live casino lobby to see how different two roulette or blackjack games look.
But let’s not judge a game by its thumbnail. The reason why a developer offers dozens, even hundreds of tables is simple – they all have different features. There are different versions of roulette – from the classic American, European, and French with La Partage to innovative solutions like roulette with multipliers, two balls, or even football roulette. Live blackjack and baccarat are also available with different side bets and pace so that any manner of player can find a table that suits their preferences.
Most Popular Live Casino Tables Online
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
Live Casino Games Limits
For many casino players, the most important aspect to take into consideration is their budget. The live dealer online casino games have wide betting ranges and are able to accommodate both low and high rollers. There are many gameshows and table games start as low as €/$0.2 so everyone can make a bet while the VIP and Privé tables can reach a maximum bet limit of €/$20,000 while the minimum is €/$1,000 for a single bet.
Always make sure you’re sticking to your bankroll and you’re not spending more than you can afford. Be especially mindful of fast-paced games such as Speed Baccarat where you can play two rounds in a single minute. Another thing to keep in mind is that although side bets are a great way to make a standard game more interesting, they always increase the house edge.
Opt-In for Bonuses at Your Chosen Live Casino
Welcome casino bonuses are the most advertised asset of a casino so it’s easy to be intrigued by the offers. However, those players who will be playing live games need to be extra careful about reading the fine print. Many casino bonuses are geared towards slot players and live games contribute a small percentage towards the wagering of the bonus. It’s best that you look for a casino that has a special live casino welcome bonus that will let you play through the bonus in the live lobby.
Nowadays, an increasing number of live casinos are also hosting different tournaments where you can compete with fellow players to rank higher on the leaderboard and scoop generous rewards. Sites like 888casino and Mansion also roll out regular promotions for live games like deposit bonuses or cash rewards for scoring a blackjack.
If you’ve decided to use a live casino bonus, make sure you check out our recommendations for the best live casino bonuses.
- 5
- 10
- 15
- 20
Best and Well-Known Live Dealer Online Casino Software Developers
Although not as many or prolific as slots developers, there is a significant number of live casino software providers that stand out with their unique approach to streaming the games. The most popular names you’re bound to come across if you visit a casino live are Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play that also develop RNG table games and slots. These companies have studios in different locations all around the world where the live dealers host blackjack, baccarat, roulette, gameshows, and more games Their innovative approaches and distinct style make them stand out in every lobby where they’re featured.
But there’s a lot more choice, with providers like Authentic Gaming who stream their games from the floor of land-based casinos or AS Gaming who offer some of the most authentic live baccarat experience. Developers like Vivo Gaming and Ezugi are also among the most popular studios supplying casinos with live games.
- Games950+
- Providers30+
- Jackpots0
- Max RTP99%
Widely regarded as the leading provider of live casino games, Evolution was founded in 2006 and today operates several studios located around the world. The company offers numerous games, ranging from card and table classics to Asian games and many gameshows, all operated with the upmost professionalism.
- Games1.400+
- Providers57
- Jackpots5
- Max RTP99.6%
Playtech is the largest live casino supplier in Europe and Asia and its flagship Riga studio is the largest of its kind, occupying 8,500 square meters. Playtech offers native language tables, dedicated environments, and more, through its industry leading platform, delivering a truly superior experience.
- Games1500+
- Providers100+
- Jackpots0
- Max RTP99%
Pragmatic Play entered the live casino market in 2019. The company broadcasts a range of card and table games together with gameshows in 4K definition from its Bucharest-based studio and is able to support up to 30 languages as well as dedicated studio and branded environments.
- Games400+
- Providers30+
- Jackpots0
- Max RTP99%
Owned by Evolution, Ezugi made a name for itself by offering games that appeal to the Asian market, such as Andar Bahar and Teen Patti. Today it operates 9 studios that are home to 78 tables across 18 different games. The company also streams several tables from top land-based casinos.
- Games400+
- Providers5
- Jackpots40
- Max RTP99%
Founded in 2014, Lucky Streak aims to provide truly engaging live dealer gaming. It offers the standard card and table games with advanced chat functionality. The games are broadcast from a 1,000 square meter studio in Riga where it also houses an academy to ensure that its dealers are professionals.
Popularity of Live Casino Games
Replacing the jingles and poorly rendered animation of RNG games from a few years ago, live casino games afford a gaming experience every bit as immersive as visiting a land-based casino thanks to developers utilizing the latest and best in technology. Well, minus the slots (although an individual live casino site will let you play a slot via a glamorous companion).
The best online live casinos broadcast their games in real-time, so everyone with an internet connection and access to the website (meaning the casino accepts players from the respective jurisdiction) can log in. Typically, a pop-up will prompt you to create an account with the casino, and once that's out of the way, you can join a live table and start betting.
Every online live casino, even a mobile live casino, features table and card games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Texas Hold 'em, Sic Bo, and even some versions of popular game shows such as the Wheel of Fortune. Variety is the spice of life, and so many developers add some zest to their portfolios with games such as Andar Bahar, Fan Tan, Teen Patti, and more. Ultimately, this allows players to get a taste of a live gambling experience that their local casino doesn’t provide.
Get Ready to Start Playing at Your Favorite Casino Live
With hundreds of providers and thousands of tables you can pick from, online live casinos provide players with a real-life casino experience. But to immerse in it you need to first create an account. Then you can narrow your game selection further by choosing whether to play for a jackpot or opt for side bets, select maximum bets, and tweak the settings to suit your preferences.
If you've played at an online casino before, you must have seen that virtual games are available in demo mode allowing you to try them out before spending money or even making a registration. With live casino games online, however, while you will be able to catch a glimpse of a table, you will be prompted to create an account in order to join one. Of course, without having deposited, you won't be able to place a bet.
So, first things first – make a deposit (the way you would buy chips at a land-based casino) and select a table. The live lobbies clearly display their categories of games. Is it blackjack or roulette? Perhaps baccarat or Texas Hold'em? With some live dealer online casinos, you can even join multiple tables to play at simultaneously. Yet another advantage over "real" casinos where you'd need an astral projection to place bets at both the roulette and blackjack tables.
Now that you know how to find the best live casino and what to expect from the games featured there, simply follow this guide to playing with a live dealer online to get started.
FAQ
How Do Live Dealer Casinos Work?
Live dealer casino games are streamed to players from state-of-the-art studios. Players can watch the action in high definition and listen to live audio, which creates an authentic casino atmosphere.
The games are played just as they would be at a land casino, with players placing chips on the table, asking the dealer for further cards, and so on. The main difference is that they can be enjoyed from anywhere.
How to Play Live Casino?
It is very easy to get started playing in live dealer casinos. The best live online casinos will have a lobby, and you simply need to click on the game that you wish to play.
The exact mechanics of playing the game will vary slightly depending on what it is, but there are carefully designed interfaces to ensure that it is a user-friendly experience.
What Is the Best Live Casino?
This is somewhat a matter of personal preference. Today there are several excellent suppliers of online live casino games, such as Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play.
While they offer similar games, each has its own set of features and interfaces. Therefore, it is best to try a few of them to find which best suits your needs.
What Are Live Dealer Online Casino Games?
They are games that are run by professional dealers, croupiers, and hosts, with the action, streamed to players in real time.
There are live dealer versions of all the classic card and table games, such as blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, as well as Asian games, gameshows, and much more. They offer a way of enjoying live gambling without having to leave the comfort of your home.
How Many Live Tables Can I Play at One Time?
This depends on the software provider powering the online live casino you are playing at. The best live online casinos will allow you to play at several tables simultaneously if you so wish.
However, you should be careful when doing so, as it can be hard to focus on multiple tables at once, and it may lead to you making poor betting decisions.
Are Live Casino Games Rigged?
Just as with RNG table games, as long as you are playing live casino games powered by a provider with a respectable license, then you can be sure that the games are completely fair.
In order to obtain their licenses, live gambling providers undergo thorough inspections to ensure that the equipment is unbiased and that players have a genuine chance of winning.