Best live dealer casinos have dominated the online gambling scene for the last decade, and for a reason! With a whole host of new innovative features and technologies, these live dealer casino sites have grown very popular and are slowly replacing the traditional casinos. These revolutionary casino websites are cropping up in every corner of the world, each claiming to be better than the other.
With every casino claiming to be the best, how do you go around selecting the one that is suited for your gambling games needs?
I am Katie Wager, and my passion is to explore best live online casinos, review them, make live video stream and write casino game guides including on the real dealer casinos. Before posting casino reviews, I always study casino websites by gambling on it, to have a feel firsthand. Therefore, my written casino reviews reflect my real playing on Twitch streaming platform with all the actual advantages and setbacks of a particular gambling site.
If you are in the hunt for the most suitable casino sites for you, my detailed guides will help you compare the gaming top casino games providers and best online casinos, and choose the most suited haven to call home. So, what are the steps needed to select an excellent live dealer casino? When in the search for live dealer casinos, there are main features which differentiate the good live dealer casinos from the mediocre ones. They should guide you to make more informed decisions. So, what are these features of great live dealer casinos?
Main Features of a Good Live Dealer Casino Online
These new casino sites are a variant of the traditional online casinos which have incorporated live dealers to spice up the overall casino experience for the casino players. These casino sites offer similar live games section to those in conventional brick and mortar establishments only that they are streamed from special studios to online casino players.
To seamlessly work, these casinos live dealer sites require the use of gaming software, customarily provided by a third party, a studio with special casino tables and camera equipment, live dealers helping the players with the casino games and the broadcasting technology to stream the casino games to gamblers globally. With the help of sophisticated technology and equipment, players get an immersive gaming experience and extreme live gaming very similar to that in real life casinos.
These live dealer casinos not only give gamblers the impression that they are in actual real money gambling rooms; casino players can easily communicate with those at the table and ask live dealer operator any questions. Players can even hear the sound of shuffling and laying out of the cards. This makes the whole casino experience scintillating and explains why ardent players prefer these gambling venues.
Advantages Over Traditional Online Casinos
So, what exactly differentiates this new types of casino operators from traditional brick and mortar casinos or online gambling websites? Below are the reasons why people choose the new live dealer casinos over the others.
Flexibility
These casinos offer casino players flexibility and convenience to play from home, or indeed anywhere else at any time. Players don’t have to leave the comfort of their homes or their workplace to access their favorite casino games. Irrespective of the device (such as Apple and Android cellphones) a player owns, they can easily and quickly access thousands of live streaming of online casino games right from where they are.
Online live casinos are available on various platforms with streaming options. Players can access these casino games from their mobile devices (both Android and iOS phones support these online live casino games), Android tablets, iPads, and even desktop computers.
Different platforms afford players different features. Tablets, for instance, afford players a larger screen size than mobile devices hence they are better for casino games which require more ‘real estate.’ Live casino apps, on the other hand, are more suited for mobile phones as they enhance the gameplay.
Real time Playing
So long as the players have a good internet connection, they can enjoy real time playing through live streaming. This live streaming makes it very easy for players to access whatever game they want if only it supports such an option.
Instant Customer Support
Casinos offer live chatting with a customer service representative making it very easy for the gamblers to ask questions and get any help on customer complaints within the game. Players can instantly write messages in live chat contact or directly ask the live dealers and get the help they need.
The ability to get live support fast improves the gaming experience and gives players a reason to hang around the dealer gambling casinos for a little longer as livechat customer support services are always available.
Latest Technology
These casinos leverage only the newest technology to bring the best possible casino gambling experience to players. Whether they are playing online on personal computers or in mobile website casinos through their mobile devices, they can receive mobile gambling experience playing casino games live casinos offer online 24 7 without feeling out of place.
The technology has helped streamline both the gameplay and functionalities such as depositing money into accounts, streaming the casino games, and the overall security when playing these live games.
Security
Thanks to the improved technology in cyber security, players can rest assured that their data is safe in the top live dealer casinos. Players don’t have to worry about theft of their information, their money or getting mugged on their way home from casinos. All transactions are fast, safe, and hassle-free.
Casinos use various security protocols across their online platforms to guarantee data privacy. These protocols help to keep both player data and the financial records safe from unwanted interference. Casinos use encryption through the 256-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology to store all the personal information.
This ensures that the data can’t be leaked or manipulated in any way. The SSL technology is also used to process all the payments transferred to the casinos and prevent unauthorized access to customer funds. Casino operator also uses the random number generation technology which ensures that there is no manipulation of the outcomes of the various games.
This technology helps to maintain the integrity of all the products on offer in the casinos. So, now that we have seen the main features of live dealer casinos and their advantages over traditional casinos, how do you choose the best live dealer casino site? Here are steps on how to select the best live dealer casinos as provided by me, Katie Wager.
Steps on How to Choose the Best Live Dealer Casino
Step 1: Check Live Dealer Casino Bonus
Live dealer casino bonus offers are a great magnet for players. Promotions are an excellent means for live online casino games to attract new players and retain their existing customers. Casino bonus offer is a crucial aspect of the gambling business as they not only help players feel appreciated; they give casino players a chance to play for real winnings using freebies.
Live casino bonus amount and type vary from one casino to the other. The type of bonus, the amount of bonus live awarded, and frequency of awarding the players also differ from one casino site to another. When looking for the best live dealer casino, there is a need to check the promo offers first before opting to play with the casino.
Below, are some of the best live casino games bonuses with specific details on the casino bonuses and how you can leverage the gifts to win more money and keep your bankroll going.
Among the most popular casino bonuses, player can experience the loyalty system bonuses: welcome bonuses for newbies, match bonus types, regular deposit bonus promotions for constant players, special loyalty rewards (this mean that from the beginning of the play at live casino, a player can join loyalty program that has steps and stages to be completed in order to receive cool perks in a form of bonus spins, bonus games, cash casino prize.) Also, the loyalty scheme has exclusive gifts like free tickets to events, flights to resorts, etc., but these are only for members of VIP club.
Casino Deposit Bonus Types
These are the most popular promotions run by casinos, and they help businesses to persuade clients to make deposits. Casinos reward both the newly registered, and those who already have accounts but have not made any cash deposits.
For one to earn the bonus offer, there is a set threshold amount they have to match or exceed. If they exceed the set amount, the casino will match it either 100% or even 200% depending on the bonus model the house employs.
No Deposit Bonuses
A deposit is not a prerequisite for you to earn these promotions from any casino. Casinos often give new players welcome bonus prizes to try their hand in various games. The amounts in these promotions (bonus spins, bonus rounds, match bonus) are meager and come laden with caveats which one has to satisfy before they can collect the bonus winnings.
One is required to wager the free bet several times over and satisfy other needs before they can collect winnings. Examples of such freebies include: Betzest Casino $/£5 free bet, William Hill Casino $10 freebie, Slots Haven 200 free spins, etc.
Cashback Offers
These are exclusive promotions in which the casinos will refund part or the whole stake if a player loses. These cashback bonus offers are always unique to specific casinos, and their bonus terms and restrictions are different. Here are different types of cashback bonus offers given:
● 1st Deposit Cashback Offers
Sometimes, casino players are refunded a percent of their 1st deposit if they lose it in a bet. For one to earn this bonus offer, they have to use part or the entire 1st deposit cash to wager. Depending on the terms of the casino’s promotions, they can get a certain percent back as a bonus rebate.There are many variations of these promotions, and they differ from one casinos dealers websites to the other. From 50% back on the first bets up to $100, to 100% refunds up to £1,000, the percent refunded depends on the stake lost and the bonus terms and restrictions provided by the casino dealer sites.
● Daily/Weekly Cashback Offers
These high-roller promotions are for those who always bet using the most substantial amounts for high stakes. In the event of a loss, a certain percent of the amount lost in stakes is refunded back into their accounts as a rebate by the house.If one wagered $2,000 and lost $18,000, the casino can decide to give a 10% rebate and deposit back $1,800 bonus money into the player’s account to help them keep playing live dealer casinos. The cashback bonus offer might be daily or an accrued amount for the entire week, which is deposited back once every week.
● VIP Bonuses: On top Cash Offers
Here, instead of getting a refund for any lost stakes, gamblers get additional money for wagering large and winning money. Players are rewarded for staking high and hitting set threshold amounts in winnings. An example of this freebie, as a part of VIP program, is an 18% money-on-top offer for winnings up to $2,000.And so, if one wagers $10 and wins $1,000, they are entitled to a $180 money-on-top bonus for winning above $1,000. It is imperative for gamblers to keenly read all terms and conditions and restrictions of promotions which casinos run before they can take them up. Every casino has its unique caveats for each promotion and players have to satisfy these before withdrawing any winnings made from wagering the freebie given to them.
Bonus Wagering Requirements
When casinos run promos, they set up weighting requirements which you have to satisfy fully before you can enjoy any winnings. These are called wagering requirements. Casinos require players to wager certain sums a given number of times before the players can get the bonus money from staking the freebie.
The number of times that gamblers are needed to stake the free bet over is dependent on the specific casino games. If you decide to use your bonus for Roulette casinos live in 32 Red Casino, for example, you will have accomplish wagering requirement as more than ten times before you can withdraw the bonus winnings.
The number of times you have to wager the free bet over before getting full access to the bonus winnings varies from one casino to the other. Every casino has its stipulated conditions which players MUST meet. For them to avoid disputes and unnecessary drama with the house, gamblers should read all the conditions of the promotions before deciding to use them.
Live Dealer Contribution
When hunting for freebies and casino promos, you should factor in a live dealer contribution as well. Some games provide the house with a low edge, and casinos providers avoid giving players lucrative promotions as they risk making losses.
For instance, backgammon gives the house an edge of between 4.82% and 6.39%, while a single deck of blackjack provides the house with a competitive margin of just 1.5%. This means that for every $100 bet, the house gets an average profit of only $1.5, while it earns between $4-$6 from backgammon.
This fact, therefore, means that the house will tend to shy away from giving customers free bets for games which have a low house edge as this is counterproductive financially. A lot of bonus bets come in the games with a very high house edge where the casino providers havehas the upper hand.
Since live dealer casinos are more expensive to run — the technology, live dealers casinos, equipment required — the casino owners always desist from giving the customers too lucrative bonus offers and promotions in a bid to minimize losses.
Terms and Conditions
Each casino providers’ brand has its set rules governing promos and other operations within the casino live dealer. These terms and conditions are essential, and players need to acquaint themselves with these rules. For instance, Bet365 allows new customers to deposit a minimum of $10 to get a 100% bonus.
You will have to use special bonus offer code to get the bonus, but you will also have to wager the bonus 15 times over before you can withdraw your bonus winnings. It is also important to note that such bonuses have restrictions of an expiry period which is often 30 days.
Upon expiration, the casino reclaims the bonus amount if it has not met the wagering requirements. Always head over to the dedicated casino site’s page and carefully read all the stipulated T&Cs to be on the safe side at all times.
Step 2: Explore Live Casino Games
How big is the game live dealer options in the live dealer casinos you intend to play in? Do you have the freedom to choose any game: slots casino games, video poker + live three card poker, casino games, casino blackjack variants, live dealer roulette variations (live dealer European roulette), live dealer baccarat, cards games, live dealer craps, live sic bo, scratch cards? These are the questions you should ask yourself before settling on a specific brand of casino. The higher the number of money games, the better the casino is.
Classic Live Dealer Tables Variants
I have played in live stream on Twitch, reviewed and written thousands of live casino guides on live dealer casino games and in this guide, I will explain the main classic games (particular table games) in live dealer casinos to help you play live casino games with ease.
Table Game |
Explanation |
Tables |
Live Dealer
Roulette Variants |
In live roulette game, players place bets on several elements on a rotating roulette ball and roulette wheel. Players can place bets on a combination of numbers, colours, groupings of numbers on roulette wheels, etc. |
Roulette Tables:
- European Roulette/ French Roulette
- Immersive Roulette
- Double Ball Roulette
- Speed Roulette
- Lightning Roulette Online
- International Tables
|
Live Baccarat
Online |
Online baccarat is one of the oldest card games where a player plays against the house by comparing the value of the cards he has. The game variety is rich, but Punto Banco is the most common variant. |
- Live Speed Baccarat
- Live Baccarat Control Squeeze
- No Commission Baccarat
- Progressive Baccarat
- Mini Live Baccarat
|
Live Dealer
Blackjack Online |
Live casino blackjack games are is also very popular in casinos and comes in many variants. The live blackjack aims to beat the dealer in specific ways depending on the modification of the game the players are playing. The game is normally played by multiple players pitting against the live dealer. |
- Blackjack Party
- VIP Live Blackjack
- Unlimited Blackjack
- 7 Seater Blackjack
|
Live Dealer Poker Games
If you want to play live casino games, then live card poker is one of the best live casino games you should start playing at first. Not only is the game easy to understand, but its variants are also closely related as well. Here are the variants of live online poker casino games and what to expect.
Game Variety |
Explanation |
Side Bets |
Live Dealer
Casino Hold’em |
One of the classics which is a variant of the Texas Casino Hold’em but where you play against the dealer. The aim is always to beat the dealer’s hand. |
- Aces of Better
- Progressive Jumbo 7 Jackpots
|
Live Ultimate
Casino Hold’em |
The differentiating factor of this poker version of the game is that players can increase their bets fourfold and increase their chances of winning significantly. |
- Trip Bonus Bet
- Progressive Jackpot Prizes
|
Live Caribbean
Stud Poker |
This variant is a unique poker version of the game created by Evolution Gaming, and the game is only available in casinos which use Evolution’s gaming casino software. |
- 5+1 Bonus
- Progressive Jackpot Payout
|
Other Popular Live Dealer Game Types
Besides casino blackjack tables, roulette and baccarat, games slots, there are other popular jackpot games which you should be on the lookout for when choosing popular live dealer casino games to play. Here are some of the most popular live dealer casinos games in Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, Macau and other parts of the world.
- Live Dragon Tiger
Live Dragon is a casino gaming version of Baccarat in which the higher card wins. Players have a chance to play with real money in this game and win in seconds.
- Live Spin A Win
Live Spin A Win is a money wheel type of game which has various bets against live dealers and other players available in the online casino lobby. The game is a product of Playtech and is available for both PCs and casinos mobile offering.
- Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher is one of the games casino mobile app gamers love because of how simple it is to play, especially on mobile devices. The mobile casino app has live dealers’ mobile games too. The gamblers play against the dealers for money. These mobile casino games are a product of Evolution Gaming.
Step 3: Look for the Most Reliable Software Casino Providers
Live dealer casino games are dependent on the technology and software powering them. There are many live dealer casino software casino developers, and each casino provider has its drawbacks and advantages (Novomatic, Pragmatic Play, Netent, Evolution Gaming, Microgaming, etc). So here, I give precise and clear guidance based on my researches and live stream video casino review about the world of software providers and their casinos features to help you choose the best live dealer casinos.
Evolution Gaming Games Software
Evolution play is arguably the most prolific casino software developer globally. Evolution Gaming has been supplying the leading betting companies with revolutionary casino software solutions for years. Here is why the Evolution Gaming software provider guru has dominated the betting sphere for so long:
- Multi-lingual live dealers — Evolution Gaming has native speaking live dealers who are available in almost any country where the company operates. Multi-lingual dealers make it easy for players to ask questions and play dealer games. Casumo Casino, for instance, has native speakers in 9 languages to make it easy for international customers to use their services.
- HD Video Streaming — Evolution Gaming only streams the highest quality videos to its users. Irrespective of the device you are playing the game on, it is always in high definition.
- Customization — Evolution Gaming offers customization for all its clients, which makes games more entertaining for players.
- Wide range of payment options (casino deposit methods + withdrawal methods) — Evolution Gaming supports almost all the available banking options in the market. Irrespective of where you are in the world, they have deposit options and payout methods suited for you.
NetEnt
As of 2019, NetEnt currently has a market cap of about 1 billion EUR, and this is down to the fact that they have increased their operations in various countries. Here are some of the main advantages and features of NetEnt casino software:
- NetEnt intuitive interface — Netent claims to have some of the most flexible platforms in the casino gaming industry, and plenty of casinos seem to support this claim.
- NetEnt irrespective of the device that you are using to gamble — be it an iPhone, MacBook, desktop, or Android — NetEnt’s games will always run smoothly. Golden Nugget Casino, for instance, has an award-winning interface for all its platforms, and this is one of its core marketing points.
- NetEnt promotions — NetEnt is home to some of the best offers and promotions offered in the gambling industry.
- NetEnt fantastic graphics and sound — NetEnt understands the significance of sound and graphics in live dealer games and constantly improves their systems to attract as many users as possible.
Playtech
Playtech has been making headlines in the news for all the right reasons because of how it has revolutionized the way we play live dealer games. Playtech is responsible for digitizing many variations of bingo, craps, and other local casino games. Here are some of the most notable features and advantages of Playtech play:
- User-friendly platform — Playtech always goes the extra mile to try and make their platform easy to navigate and use for the millions worldwide.
- Quick deposits and withdrawals — Playtech casinos offer the quickest deposits and withdrawals via convenient payment method (for ex. Paypal, bank transfer). You will get paid in just three days, and they accept most of the payment methods available in the world. Betfair, which is one of Playtech’s oldest clients, offers 3-day withdrawals for both the sportsbook and casino winnings, and this makes them one of the fastest at payment processing in the market.
- Trusted by millions — Playtech is one of the most trusted brands in the world because of their excellent services. Their odds are always fair, their website secure, have few limits, and always prioritize the customer.
Microgaming
Microgaming has created close to 1,000 virtual casino games slots and has plenty more on the waiting flash games casino list. The company is a pioneer in the casino software world, and it has withstood the test of time thanks to their pretty awesome services. Here are the highlights of Microgaming casinos:
- Auto-bet function — Microgaming is renowned for debuting the auto-bet functionality in the virtual gambling world. Playamo Casino has made a name for itself in the market because of the auto-bet functionality in the system. It has made it easy for players to place bets quickly and seamlessly.
- Supports multiple devices — Irrespective of the operating system that a device uses, Microgaming will support it.
- Great customer support services — Microgaming prioritizes customer support services, and this has given them a good rap.
Authentic Gaming
Although Authentic Gaming is a relatively new entrant into the gambling world, they have come with a fair share of fresh ideas which are helping them to soar higher in the rankings of casino developers. Here are some of the most notable features of Authentic Gaming Casinos
- Wide range of games — Authentic has brought numerous new casino games to the Canadian, American, European and Asian gambling market. Their games are a breath of fresh entertainment and incorporate modern trends making them very popular.
- Focus on regulations and licensing — Authentic Gaming pays particular attention to licensing and rules in the areas where it operates. Before a casino environment can get Authentic’s services, it is required to be regulated by the relevant bodies.
- Great gameplay — Authentic Gaming places a lot of focus on the gameplay as well. It has made sure that all its games feature seamless gameplay and that they are attractive to people of all ages.
- Great Bonuses — Authentic Gaming has a wide range of bonus cash offer types and casino promotions which make it attractive to the masses.
Step 4: Prove That Live Casino Environment is Secure and Trusted
When selecting the best live casino, you should always be wary of the security of the casino. You should always ask about licensing of the casino, its adherence to the set rules and regulations, and their banking structure.
Licensing and Regulation
You should only bet in licensed casinos which are operating in the regulated markets. You can always ascertain if a casino is licensed or not by reading the information at the bottom of the homepage or on blogs. Alternatively, you can search on your country’s gambling regulatory bodies records like ones from UK Gambling Commission live mark on site, eCogra, Curacao Commission, to ascertain if a specific live casino UK is licensed to operate in the state or not.
Safe Payouts
It is important to only bet with live casinos which have safe payment options processing systems in place. Before depositing your money into a live casino, always research online by reading the casino reviews and the terms & conditions on their gambling site to find out about their banking method systems. Only commit your money into a live casino after you ascertain that their payment method systems are genuine and valid.
Step 5: Choose and Gamble Responsibly
Once you have found the right live casino for you, I always advocate for responsible gambling. This is why my blog is committed to responsible gambling principles, and I always share articles about GamCare and Begambleaware to help you play responsibly at all times.
Any good live casino worth its salt should have a blog helping you to gamble responsibly, and if you see one without such vital information, you should avoid it at all costs. I always believe that live casino gambling should be fun, and the moment it stops being enjoyable, you should STOP and seek further professional help if you are having trouble. Let’s move on the most popular live dealer FAQs.
Live Casino FAQ
1. Can I play casino games on my mobile device?
Yes. You obviously can play any casino game on your mobile device. Your device only needs a good Internet connection and a good operating system to join the casino mobile site.
2. Can I play live casino games for free?
Yes. Access these games for free using no deposit bonuses and other freebies, but access to most in-game features will be minimal. The best is to use the quickest deposit methods at the casinos and play the games for real money.
3. Is there need to download the software before playing?
Depending on the device you are using to access the casino, you might be required to download certain software to access the casino games. If you are using an Android or iOS device, you might be required to download an app to access the casino games. If you are using a desktop, you only need to open the website, and you are good to go.
4. Are live dealer games streamed from real casinos?
No. Such games are not streamed from real casinos. They are streamed from special studios with special cameras, live dealers, casino tables, and crucial equipment needed to make the rooms look like real life casino rooms.
5. What if my live game session was interrupted due to Internet issues?
It makes sense to read a so-called Disconnection Policy of a casino, because each operator puts in place its rules in a case of your sudden disconnection. If there is no such one, contact the casino support team for clarification. Because different circumstances of interruption may lead to different results. For example, you placed a bet, then lost your Internet connection, the stake might be settled and paid if it was winning one. Still, some operators return the money to your account. All in all, live casinos have various protocols regarding different conditions and games to cover what is going to happen in each case.