Live dealer casinos have revolutionised the world of online gambling by offering an interactive, immersive gameplay that rivals the traditional regular land based casinos. Instead of simulation games, at live online casinos, players interact with real dealers in real time.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you the most trustworthy online live casinos, explain how they work, what makes them different from regular online games, and the technology that makes it all happen.
Live dealer games bring the authentic casino atmosphere to your device. They are hosted by professional live human dealers and are streamed live from casino studios or sometimes from real land based casinos. For instance, Evolution Gaming, an industry leader in live dealer games, operates live casino games like live roulette and blackjack from studios around the world.
Unlike regular online casino games, live casino games provide an interactive platform for players. They can chat with the live dealers and even with other players at the table, making the process more sociable. Most sites offer to play live dealer games with interactive features, allowing live casino players to communicate using live chat options.
Traditional online casino games rely on the Random Number Generator (RNG) to decide the outcome of a game. Whether it’s a roll of virtual dice or a spin of an online slot, the result is governed by sophisticated algorithms. In contrast, live games involve a human dealer who shuffles and deals cards or spins the roulette wheel.
The visual experience in live casino games is more realistic compared to regular online casino games. They use high-definition video streams, multiple camera angles, and professional lighting to replicate the atmosphere of a physical casino.
The pace of live casino games tends to be slower compared to regular online casino games as they follow the same tempo as a physical casino game. This allows those who prefer to play live casino games to take their time to consider their next move, adding a strategic element that’s not usually found in regular online games.
At the heart of any live casino is advanced streaming technology. By using state-of-the-art cameras, microphones, and live streaming software, casinos can broadcast live dealer games to live casino players anywhere in the world. For example, the Evolution Gaming provider uses multi-angle high-definition video feeds. The technology is so advanced that those who prefer to play live games can chat in real time with dealers, making online gaming more interactive.
The Game Control Unit (GCU) is a critical component of live casino gaming. This device, which is roughly the size of a shoebox, helps encode the video broadcast and aids in the running of the game. Without it, live games would not be possible. Major casinos utilise GCUs to ensure their live games are fair, transparent, and run smoothly, enhancing the player’s experience.
Live dealers bring the human touch to the live gaming environment. They shuffle and deal cards, spin the roulette wheel, and interact with players, just like in a physical casino, with the only difference being that all of this is happening online. Some best live casinos, like Betway, even offer online casino players the option to choose their preferred dealer. The dealers are professionally trained to manage the games and interact with players, making the process more enjoyable and engaging.
The Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology plays a vital role in live dealer casinos. It translates the physical transactions made by the dealer, such as card dealing or roulette spinning, into data that online casino players can see on their screens. Some online casinos use the OCR technology in their live games to ensure that players receive accurate real-time information about the game.
In live casinos, player interfaces are designed to be user-friendly, allowing online casino players to interact with the game just as they would in a physical casino. Interactive controls let players place bets, make decisions, and communicate with the dealer.
Live casinos operate under strict regulations to ensure fair play. Such online casinos use high-quality, tamper-proof equipment, and their dealers are trained to follow precise rules and procedures. Many live casinos are licenced and regulated by established gaming authorities.
The transition of casino gaming to mobile platforms has transformed the way players engage with their favourite games. The prevalence of smartphones and tablets has essentially converted these devices into portable casinos, granting players access to a wide range of games anytime, anywhere. Live dealer games, in particular, have seen a surge in popularity due to this shift. Online casino sites, such as 1xBet and 22bet offer extensive libraries of mobile-compatible live casino games.
Apps often deliver faster load times and smoother gameplay compared to gambling via online casino sites. Most online casinos offer a dedicated app for both iOS and Android users. Nowadays, mobile device options have become like portable mini-casinos that players can use anytime, anywhere.
Mobile apps let players adjust their gameplay to fit what they like. They can change game settings, get updates in real time, and even pick specific dealers for live dealer games. For example, the Jackpot City Casino app has the ‘Favourites’ feature that lets players save their favourite games for quick access later. Besides, casino apps often utilise push notifications to keep players informed about new game releases, special promotions, live casino bonuses, or online casino bonus offers. This is a valuable feature for players who want to stay updated on the latest opportunities to maximise their play.
A defining aspect of an outstanding live dealer casino is the richness of its game library. This generally includes such most popular casino games as live roulette games, a classic where live dealer roulette players predict where the ball will land on a spinning wheel; live baccarat, a game of comparison between the ‘player’ and the ‘banker’; live dealer blackjack, which pits the player against the dealer in a race to reach, but not exceed, 21; and poker, a strategic game with multiple versions like Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker. Additionally, many casinos offer unique game shows such as ‘Dream Catcher’, where players predict where the wheel will stop, and ‘Monopoly Live’, a live-action game based on the popular board game with added elements of chance.
Safety is paramount when it comes to online casinos. Reputable live dealer casinos employ advanced encryption technologies to protect players’ personal and financial data. Such online live casinos also hold licences from established regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority, ensuring that the operations are legitimate and fair. The presence of robust security measures gives players peace of mind and fosters a trustful environment.
The reward structure of a live dealer casino can greatly enhance the enjoyment of playing. The best online live casinos with high payout rates and transparent policies rank higher on our list. A good payout rate signifies a fair chance of winning and adds an extra layer of excitement to the gameplay. Live dealer games are often more rewarding compared to slot games, as illustrated by their Return to Player (RTP) percentages. Accordingly, live dealer blackjack can offer an RTP of 99.5%, live baccarat – around 98.94%, live roulette approximately – 97.3%, live casino Hold’em poker – about 99.47%, and Caribbean Stud poker – around 98.19%. On the other hand, popular slot games such as Book of Dead offer an RTP of 96.21%, Starburst has 96.09%, Gonzo’s Quest offers 95.97%, Mega Moolah stands at 88.12%, and Dead or Alive offers around 96.8%.
A good live dealer casino should be suitable to any budget. In their live dealer lobby, such best live casino sites offer live dealer tables with different minimum and maximum stake limits, making them accessible to a wide range of players. For example, the 1xbet live casino offers live blackjack tables with the minimum stake as low as $1, extending to $1,000 for high rollers. Similarly, 22bet provides baccarat games with staking ranges from $2 up to $500.
Responsive customer support can significantly enhance live casino players’ journey. Top-tier online casino sites provide round-the-clock support through various channels, including live chat support, phone, and email. A swift and helpful response to any issues or questions not only builds trust but also creates a smoother, more enjoyable play session for the live casino user.
Access to live dealer casinos on mobile devices is becoming increasingly important. Good online casino sites should offer optimised platforms for smartphones and tablets, allowing live casino players to take their play wherever they go. With such mobile-friendly live casino platforms, players can enjoy their favourite live table games and other live casino options without being tied to a desktop, leading to a more flexible play time.
Generous live casino bonus offers and promotions can add significant value to the live casino online player’s time at a live dealer casino. Online casino sites like 20bet and Cashalot are renowned for their attractive Welcome bonus for creating a new online casino account, cashback offers, and loyalty programmes. These live casino bonus offers not only give online live casino players a head start but also keep them engaged over time, amplifying the joy of playing live dealer games.
When it comes to live dealer casino software, Evolution Gaming is a top contender. As a pioneer in the live casino software industry, Evolution Gaming has delivered high-quality popular live dealer games to online casino sites like 888 Casino, BitSpin Casino, Zoome Casino and many others. Their products stand out for their interactive features, top-tier video streaming quality, and professional live dealers.
Playtech is known for striking a balance between traditional casino games and innovative features. With an extensive selection of live dealer game options, Playtech supplies many reputable live online casinos. They use high-definition streaming technology, coupled with a sophisticated user interface.
Microgaming is often regarded as the original pioneer in online casino software. They bring years of experience and innovation to the table, and their live dealer game options are a testament to this. Microgaming’s live dealer games provide top-quality video streaming, skilled dealers, and a user-friendly interface.
Known in the live casino market for their user-friendly software, NetEnt offers high-quality live dealer games that are easy to understand and navigate, even for newcomers. Their online live casino games offer high-quality video streaming, and their games are hosted by professional, engaging dealers.
Despite being relatively new to the live dealer casino scene, Pragmatic Play has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with. Their software provides top-notch video streaming quality and hosts a range of traditional casino games, while quickly adapting to live online casino players’ preferences and technology advancements.
As for classics, you can play live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. But there are also less traditional live casino games like live Sic Bo and Dragon Tiger.
The most played live dealer games often include live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Live blackjack stands out for its blend of skill and luck, roulette attracts with its simple rules and suspenseful gameplay, and baccarat's low house edge makes it a popular choice among live online casino players.
Some online casinos offer free demos or promotional no-deposit bonuses on certain games. This allows live casino players to become familiar with the live dealer game dynamics without risking any money, providing a smoother transition when they decide to start wagering real money.
Reputable online casino sites ensure fair play by using Random Number Generators (RNGs) for live casino game outcomes. These live online casino platforms are also subject to regular audits by independent organisations that verify the fairness of the online gambling experience.
Many live dealer casinos have optimised their offerings for tablet and mobile device users. This could be through mobile-optimised versions of their live online casino websites or dedicated live casino apps.