Best Live Dealer Casinos in 2023 | Play With a Real Croupier!
Live dealer casinos are an essential part of any online casino experience. The best online live casinos are often the best casinos! Check out our extensive review and a detailed list of the best live casinos online for a detailed look at what's out there!
- The Best Online Live Casinos
- What Are Live Dealer Casinos?
- What Makes the Best Live Casinos?
- Choosing the Best Live Dealer Casinos Online
- How To Play Live Dealer Casino Games
- Table Games vs Live Games
- The Most Popular Live Dealer Games
- The Best Online Live Casino Providers
- Where Can I Play Live Casino Games?
- Live Casino Wagers – Fiat Currency vs Cryptocurrency
- Pros & Cons of Live Dealer Casinos
- Live Dealer Casinos – Conclusion
- Live Casino FAQs
The Best Online Live Casinos
- Lightning-quick cash outs
- 24/7 Support
- Award-winning site
- Crypto support
- Accessible layout of live games
- Good variety of live providers
- Excellent crypto support
- Great additional offers
- VIP programme
- Good variety of providers
- Excellent crypto support
- Excellent additional bonuses
- Easy live game navigation
- Good variety of providers
- VIP programme
- Live-casino-specific promotions
- Fully featured casino experience
- Good variety of providers
What Are Live Dealer Casinos?
These are casinos which host live games that unfold in real time. This is done through livestreaming technology, similar to what you might find on Twitch or YouTube streaming.
Because of this, a human croupier will deal the cards, roll the dice, and interact with your game of choice as if you were at a real brick-and-mortar casino. Before we dive into all you need to consider when searching for the right live casino, here is a list of our top live casinos:
What Makes the Best Live Casinos?
There are hundreds of excellent casinos offering live games out there, but it might be a little overwhelming and time-consuming to separate the wheat from the chaff. Read on to find out what to look out for to make sure it’s good for you!
Generally speaking, there are six main things you should be looking out for before picking a casino. These are Safety & Security, Game Selection, Bonus Offerings, Live Casino Limits, Payment Options, and Customer Support.
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list, and neither is it in any particular order of importance. Let’s take a look at each of these elements, along with some additional factors, in more detail below.
Before that though, take a look at some of our go-to recommendations for live casinos above if you'd like to go straight to the gameplay. It’s okay, we won’t get mad about it!
Choosing the Best Live Dealer Casinos Online
Having a great list to refer to is well and good, but we’re sure you’d like to know how you should narrow it down to find which casino suits you best personally. Apart from that, it’s nice to know the elements which we valued that led to this list in the first place!
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Safety & Security
While we said that there’s no particular order to the items here, we do think that you should value casino safety and security above the rest. After all, we’re talking about websites dealing with your hard-earned money, not to mention your personal details. It would be a shame for anything to come between you and having a good time!
Keep in Mind!We always recommend checking that a casino has a certified licence from a reputable authority, particularly the Malta Gaming Authorityand the UK Gambling Commission.
Both of these regulatory bodies are well-trusted within the industry. Casinos bearing their certification need to keep to rigorous safety and security requirements, which is always a good thing for the player.
You’ll usually find information about where a particular casino is licensed at the footer of their website. Here you might also find information about independent testing authorities such as eCOGRA, GLI and iTechLabs. These authorities also employ very strict testing and licensing procedures, so a badge from them is a badge of honour for any casino.
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Game Selection
Let’s get to the fun stuff, the games! Any truly great online live casino will have a terrific selection of live dealer games for you to choose from. An even better sign is if there are sections for specific types of live games! This allows for easy browsing and selection and reflects the casino's commitment to ensuring a good user experience.
Some casinos might specialise in a particular type of live game, such as live dealer poker, for example. Most live casinos, though, will have a variety of games for you to choose from.
Apart from variety within the games themselves, it’s good to take a look at the providers of these live titles. The wider a variety of live game providers, the more likely it is that the live casino has the game that’s just right for you!
You’ll likely find live offerings from Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Playtech or NetEnt. These are reputable providers within both the live dealer games space, and the larger casino industry in general. We’ll cover each of these four providers in a little more detail below.
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Bonus Offerings
It’s always nice to get a little bit of extra oomph with your deposit, but nowadays that’s almost taken as a given with casino sites. It’s a little bit rarer and more special to find casino bonuses specific to live games. We’ve got a whole guide on live casino bonus offers, so check it out!
Keep an eye out for no deposit bonuses, as these tend to be player-favourites. Sometimes, two casinos can be super closely matched in terms of what they offer. It’s more common than you might think that the choice simply comes down to which one offers the better live casino bonus!
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Live Casino Limits
Another important consideration is whether the live casino you’re learning more about has the right betting range. The minimum and maximum betting limits must be within a range that is comfortable for you, and applicable to your bankroll. This recommendation applied regardless of whether you’re looking for high-stakes or low-stakes casinos.
You might be thinking that the betting limits come down to which particular game you want to play. While that’s partially true, live casinos also have a share of the control on the betting limits available to players. This is quite unlike slots, where the betting range is fixed by the game provider, with the casino having no control.
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Payment Options
As with any casino, regardless of whether live or not, it’s important to keep in mind the payment methods available. After all, you’re going to need a convenient way to deposit funds and withdraw any winnings!
Most live casino payment options will include the basics like Visa, Mastercard, and direct bank transfers. Many will also include options for e-wallets such as Trustly, NETELLER, and paysafecard.
Why Not Try?You might also prefer to pay with more niche payment options such as crypto casino currencies or through your mobile phone bill. If this is the case, you should definitely check out the payments section of the casino. It’s not a given that a live casino will support the payment method you have in mind.
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Customer Support
Our last, highly important pillar is perhaps an obvious one to some, but a commonly overlooked element to others. Having reliable and easily accessible casino support is something that you might not think about until you really need it.
Of course, ideally you would never need to reach out to support in the first place. Nevertheless, knowing that there’s a helpful person on the other end of your computer or phone screen adds an element of peace of mind.
We recommend you look for casinos which have 24/7 support available. Apart from that, it’s a good sign if a casino has over the phone support which connect you to real agents. Live chat is a good substitute for this too, although sometimes a direct phone call can be handier.
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Other Things to Consider
If you have a casino that satisfies all the six elements covered above, you can be pretty sure you’ve got an excellent live casino on your hands. Nevertheless, there are some additional, niche extras you might want to look out for.
Some live casinos are available in app form, offering a better live casino experience for mobile users. That’s not to say that casinos without this feature are bad, or that mobile users can’t use them. Normal in-browser live casinos run just fine on mobile. Sometimes, though, an app just takes it that extra level of polish further!
Another thing to look out for if you’re seeking an exclusive live casino experience are private rooms. These are live sessions which include just you and the dealer, without other players involved. Usually, it costs more to bet at these tables, and they can be quite difficult to find. If you’re a high-stakes player that wants to game one-on-one with the dealer, however, it might be just what you’re looking for.
How To Play Live Dealer Casino Games
Playing at live dealer casinos online is an easy and straightforward process. If you’ve played slots before, you’re practically already familiar with how things work. Nevertheless, let’s go through the process step by step, including any details along the way.
Step 1: Choose a Casino and Sign Up
We think we’ve explained this process pretty well in the sections above. Whether you’re making use of our great list of recommendations or forging out on your own, you should now be well-equipped to choose. Be sure to claim the right welcome bonus when you’re signing up to make the most out of the next step: depositing!
Step 2: Depositing Funds
Before you play, you’ll need funds to play with. Depending on whether or not the welcome bonus applies upon registration or upon first deposit, you might actually have to select it in this step. Navigate over to the deposit section at your desired live casino, for this process.
This is also the step in which you choose a payment option to make use of. Once all that’s done, you can deposit your desired amount, and it’ll show up right in your account.
Don't Forget!Be mindful of the betting ranges we discussed earlier. Make sure to deposit enough to cover you for the amount of time you wish to play for at that stake level. Remember that higher stakes and more volatile games require a significantly larger bankroll. Steer clear if you’re not looking for risk!
Step 3: Choosing a Live Game
Now this is the fun part! Once you’ve got funds in your account, all that’s left is choosing a live game and playing it! You might have a specific kind of live game in mind or something may have randomly struck your fancy. Either way, head over to the live casino section of your casino of choice and have at it!
Always keep in mind your spending limits when playing any live games or any casino game. Sticking to your limits is the responsible thing to do, and it will lead to a more enjoyable casino experience. Knowing when to stop is not something you should take lightly.
Table Games vs Live Games
Now that you know how to pick out the right live casino and how to get started, you might have noticed something in the games section. Casinos often have separate sections for table games and live games. But, what’s the difference?
The term ‘table games’ can technically be used to refer to any classic casino game involving a table, such as roulette, blackjack, poker, etc. In the online live casino space, however, it’s often used to mean casino games which aren’t slots, but which don't have a live dealer.
These games are sometimes also known as video table games, and are usually electronic versions of roulette, blackjack, poker etc. with a mathematical model determining the wins instead of a dealer.
Practically speaking, table games are just as random as a live dealer game is present, but some players simply prefer having a live dealer. It’s a huge part of the allure of live games in the first place!
Some table games are designed to make use of video in a clever way so as to give players the illusion of a live dealer. In reality, these will still use a random number generator to deliver random outcomes, only with pre-recorded sections showing dealers announcing wins.
| Feature | Live Dealer Games | Video Table Games |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Casino Games (Poker, Roulette, Blackjack etc.) |
Yes | Yes |
| Livestreaming Video Tech | Yes | No |
| Pre-Recorded Video Sections | No | Yes |
| Real Live Dealer | Yes | No |
| Number Generator Determined Wins | No | Yes |
The Most Popular Live Dealer Games
Which live casino games are most popular with players? Check out the drop-down list below to get more information on the different kinds available out there.
We’re pretty sure the popularity of live dealer roulette is here to stay. At this point, this casino game has established itself as one of the most popular with players worldwide, perhaps because of its simplicity.
Roulette involves nothing more than a wheel with 37 or 38 numbered pockets and a small pearl-like ball. After betting a number or a combination of numbers, the wheel is spun, and the ball thrown inside. The number which the ball then lands on is the winning one! Bets are paid out, and the process begins again.
We’ve got in-depth guides to all the different roulette versions, including American Roulette, European Roulette, and California Roulette.
Live Dealer Baccarat is another extremely popular game at online live dealer casinos. It involves the player trying to win against the banker with higher-scoring cards. With each round or ‘coup’, the player or banker might win, or they might end up in a tie.
Like roulette and other games, baccarat comes in several different versions, such as Punto Banco Baccarat and Macau Baccarat.
Live Dealer Poker is one of the more popular types of live game out there – it has a certain allure which we really can’t explain. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s been depicted so glamorously in the films from the James Bond franchise?
Thankfully, unlike Mr. Bond, your life won’t be in danger. We’re sure that if you get yourself into a good match, it would be just as exciting though. Online live casinos will usually offer a few different versions of the game, with minor changes to the standard rules. Check out the selection, find your favourite, and try this classic out.
Blackjack is the last of the popular live games that we’ll cover, but as the saying goes, it’s certainly not the least. Live dealer blackjack follows the same rules, with players dealt two cards and pit against the dealer.
The two cards’ values will add up to a number, and players will then decide whether to add a card or not to their deck. The aim is to reach the value of 21, or as close to it as possible. If you’re closer to the dealer to 21, you win the round! In fact, the game is also sometimes known as ‘21’, because of the importance of this number in it!
While we’ve left out a few intricacies, the rules really are that simple. You can see why so many people love having live dealer blackjack as their online live casino game of choice!
Apart from the classic games coming from the days of brick-and-mortar casinos, there have been a lot of new innovations taking advantage of the livestreaming technology. Some providers keep things simple and move old but non-casino games of chance to online live casinos.
An example of this is any type of live game involving a Prize Wheel. These used to be really common in town raffles, and perhaps you might still find one at the next local celebration. They’ve found a new home at online live casinos though, and players seem to love them! A good example would be Dream Catcher Live and Crazy Time Live by Evolution Gaming.
Another popular type of live game is the live game show. These games vary wildly in mechanics and rules. In general, you’ll have a game occurring on screen, combined with some form of a live host walking you through it or interacting with certain features. Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt is a good example of this type of game.
The Best Online Live Casino Providers
Alright, so you’ve got an idea of the selection of games available at live casino sites. But who even makes these games anyways? How are they provided to players? Where even are these spaces I see the dealers in?
Well, that’s the job of providers. Live casino providers actually design, code, and livestream the games you play. Of course, they also need to livestream an actual dealer interacting with a real table game.
This is why live casino providers will have huge studios from which they can livestream all the games to your heart’s content! Real dealers will go to the studio as if they are going to work at an actual brick-and-mortar casino. Let’s check out a couple of the providers which are most popular in the live casino space.
Evolution Gaming is one of the better-known live game providers in the casino space. They have garnered a reputation for excellent games with a high-production value. Some of their live games employ multiple camera angles as well as slow motion videography – all live! That’s a hard trick to pull off consistently, but Evolution seems to have it mastered!
PlayTech is no stranger to the casino space either, having first been established in 1999. That’s absolutely ages ago in internet years! Like other live providers, PlayTech has a state-of-the-art studio, theirs being located in Riga, Latvia. They state on their website that they’re dedicated to high-level VIP clientele, having games with privée (private) tables.
Pragmatic Play is another giant in the live casino games industry. With a newly built studio in Bucharest, Romania, Pragmatic Play advertises superior video quality and resolution on their site. You’ll find that they’re hosted by a good many casinos too. It’s not just with players that they’ve gained popularity!
VIVO Gaming has an excellent selection of different live games that they offer, including some niche tables games that other providers might skip. From popular titles like baccarat, craps, blackjack, and poker to more select favourites like sic bo and Dragon Tiger. Whatever it is, VIVO’s got you covered.
Boasting 6 million players worldwide, Betgames.tv has garnered quite a dedicated player base for its games. Headquartered in Lithuania and founded in 2012, the company has been striving to provide the best live casino experience since, and they’re certainly doing well! Like other providers, they offer more than just the usual table games, including interesting titles such as War of Bets and Andar Bahar.
Where Can I Play Live Casino Games?
Ah, the beauty of modern technology! With today’s livestreaming capabilities, you can enjoy the best online live casinos from any device. Mobile live casinos are often no different to their desktop counterparts.
Any live dealer casino or live dealer casino games provider worth their salt will keep mobile users in mind. Nowadays, these kinds of users hold an immense share of the marketplace, so it would be downright foolish for companies to ignore them!
You Will Need a Good Internet ConnectionPerhaps the most important aspect determining whether or not you can play at the best online live dealer casinos is your internet connection. A good rule of thumb is to check whether you can watch a YouTube video at 1080p without any stuttering involved. While livestreaming tends to be a little bit more taxing on your connection than that, it should still serve as a good indication.
Live Casino Wagers – Fiat Currency vs Cryptocurrency
Another excellent advancement we’re seeing in the live casino space is the gradually increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Usually, live casinos have been limited to fiat currencies, which are the normal everyday dollars, pounds, and euro you might be used to.
Just like with betting limitations, we recommend checking if the live casino you’re looking at has cryptocurrency support. Doing this before making any registrations will ensure you won’t get any nasty surprises, ensuring that you can have the best online live casino experience possible!
Pros & Cons of Live Dealer Casinos
Pros
- Live, interactive dealers
- Innovative camera and video options
- New & classic casino games
- Tons of innovation from providers
Cons
- Won't work on weak internet connection
- Can have limited bet ranges
- Time-limited bet windows
Live Dealer Casinos – Conclusion
Now that we’ve taken a look at what makes the best live online casinos, the most popular live casino games, and the best live game providers, what’s left to do? Nothing, of course – except to go out and play at some excellent live casinos!
Check out our recommendation list for the top live casinos that we recommend. We’re sure you won’t be disappointed!
Live Casino FAQs
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We recommend Playluck and LeoVegas for our top live casinos. Check out our full list for more recommendations!
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You’ll want to look at six main elements: Safety, Game Selection, Bonuses, Betting Limits, Payment Options, and Support. Check out our article for more info!
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Yes! Live dealer casinos have real dealers which are livestreamed in real time!
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No. Live dealer games work just like any other brick-and-mortar casino game. While they will favour the house, they are not rigged.
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Live casino games are an exciting way to play classic casino games from the comfort of home. They can also be a spot for genuine social interaction, with friendly dealers and other players.
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Generally speaking, the live game will continue happening as normal, and you should be able to return to it once you regain a connection. The game will just assume you did not want to place any bets for the time you were away.
Jake Schembri
