The best online live dealer casinos combine the feel and nuance of playing in person with the convenience of online gambling. Originally conceived to fill a gap in the market, these casinos have become a phenomenon, drawing thousands of players to their virtual tables every day.
Live casinos today go beyond just simulating land-based casino environments. They now use integrated technology to offer unique games and fresh takes on traditional ones like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. Nearly every US online casino offers live dealer games, but only a select few truly stand out.
In this article, we’ll explore our list of the best live casinos, explain how live dealer casinos work, and highlight the most popular games. We’ll also discuss which US states offer live dealer casinos, how we rank these sites, and what sign-up offers you can expect. Our experts have done the legwork to guide you through the best options for 2024.
Contents
Our list of the best live casinos
Our list of the best live casinos doesn’t just feature carbon copy lobbies from Evolution’s near-monopoly on the market. Other variables factor into the equation, like how many tables are active, connection stability, and bonus opportunities.
Our team of experts has analyzed those factors extensively and assembled a list of online casino apps that excel at Live Dealer games, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars Palace Online, BetRivers, and BetMGM.
DraftKings Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
States Available | NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT |
Number of Tables | 29* |
Exclusive Tables? | Yes |
Game Types | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Poker, Game Shows, Sic Bo, Casino Floor |
New Player Bonus Contribution | 100% except in PA (0%) |
*game count may vary by state
When it comes to Live Casino games, DraftKings Casino goes big. Not only does it support more tables than any other online casino, but it’s also available in nearly every available market.
During primetime hours, the app opens a dizzying array of traditional blackjack tables, with table minimums ranging from $15 to $250. Also on tap are various blackjack variants, including Infinite Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, and Power Blackjack. These games can be played at much lower minimums ($1 – $5) and with infinite players. No getting left out on the rail.
Native Spanish speakers can comfortably enjoy blackjack at the Blackjack en Espanol table, although we do wish they had more than one option.
DraftKings has also rolled out an assortment of roulette games, including a single-zero game with a $1 min bet. Baccarat, Craps, poker games like Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Game Shows including Crazy Coin Flip, Dream Catcher, and Football Studio round out the lobby. Yes, there’s even Sic Bo.
One cool feature is that DK allows Live Dealer players to opt-in to its sitewide progressive jackpots. Players that pay $0.25 per hand qualify, with prizes ranging from $2,000 to $1m+. It’s also notable that casino credits, including the ones gained from DK’s Play $5, Get $100 new player bonus, can be used at Live Dealer tables.
In New Jersey, DraftKings has its own 24-hour Live Dealer Studio, enabling it to offer exclusive and self-branded blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games.
FanDuel Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
States Available | NJ, PA, MI, WV, CT |
Number of Tables | 24 |
Exclusive Tables? | Yes |
Game Types | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Poker, Game Shows, Sic Bo |
New Player Bonus Contribution | 100% |
Like DraftKings, FanDuel Casino has branded exclusive Live Casino games in New Jersey. It also has dedicated Live Studios in the Michigan and Pennsylvania markets, making it the #1 site for players in those jurisdictions.
Expect 30 standard blackjack games popping off during peak hours, with minimum bets ranging from $15 to $500 at the VIP tables. Also covered are “Infinite” variants with low table minimums, and Speed Blackjack which is marginally faster than traditional versions.
Roulette gets decent coverage, but the absence of French Roulette is a miss. There’s just one baccarat variation, but at least it can be played for only a buck. All blackjack and baccarat titles abound with side bets.
Four Game Show titles, three dice games, and a couple of poker games complement the lobby. FanDuel could stand to offer a few more games, but by keeping it lean, the live stream runs swimmingly, with rarely any lag or interruptions.
The Live Dealer interface is gorgeous and smartly categorized, and the FanDuel exclusive tables are far less drab than the generic Evolution ones. This is about as modern as it gets.
Another high point is that any casino credits earned on FanDuel Casino can be applied toward Live Dealer games. This includes the new player bonus, which awards players bonusback up to $1,000 on their first-day net losses.
Caesars Palace Online
Feature | Details |
---|---|
States Available | NJ, PA, MI, WV |
Number of Tables | 24 |
Exclusive Tables? | Yes |
Game Types | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Poker, Game Shows, Sic Bo |
New Player Bonus Contribution | 0% |
Caesars Palace Online may be a newcomer in the iGaming space, but its Live Dealer studio offers as much variety as its renowned land-based casino floors.
Blackjack players are treated like Emperors, with over a dozen traditional tables, a handful of Caesars Palace exclusives, and niche variants like Infinite, Speed, Free Bet, and Power Blackjack. Caesars offers lower minimum bets than most Live Dealer blackjack casinos, starting at $1. However, snagging a seat at a Caesars exclusive table will cost players at least $25 per hand.
Roulette also receives ample coverage, and players can partake in solid games like French Roulette for $1 a spin. There’s just one Baccarat and Craps table, but they can seat infinite players, and the cost of entry is only $0.50 for Craps and $1 for Baccarat.
Game Shows and a few poker games offer diversity and are especially appealing due to their low minimums. If you haven’t already guessed, Caesars is probably the best Live Dealer casino for players on a strict budget. Even a few bucks can provide a night of entertainment.
The main knock against Caesars is that Live Dealer games do not contribute to bonus wagering requirements. This includes its otherwise attractive 100% deposit match up to $1,000 + 2,500 Reward Credits welcome package.
At least Live Casino players earn Tier and Reward Credits on their play, and the earn rates are way more reliable than at land-based table pits.
Another slight misstep is Caesars buries its Live Casino menu far down the home page. This is baffling and may lead players to think Caesars doesn’t offer Live games.
BetRivers Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
States Available | NJ, PA, MI, WV |
Number of Tables | 26 |
Exclusive Tables? | Yes |
Game Types | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Poker, Game Shows, Sic Bo, Slots |
New Player Bonus Contribution | 100% |
BetRivers is among the only Live Casinos to support games from Evolution and Playtech so players will enjoy a more diversified experience. Games like Quantum Roulette x1000, Stadium Blackjack, Premium Baccarat, and Adventures Beyond Wonderland sit alongside the standard Evolution fare.
There’s even Buffalo Blitz Live, a live version of the popular casino slot. While the idea of someone playing slots on your dime won’t appeal to all or even many, it offers a sense of camaraderie often missing among slot players.
New Jersey players are treated to the most stocked Live Casino lobby, but BetRivers offers plenty of options in PA, WV, and especially MI. It even supplies exclusive Live Blackjack tables in every market except WV, although these don’t bring much to the table beyond more appealing visuals.
All bonus dollars can be used at Live Dealer tables and are subject to a lean 1x wagering requirement. This includes the app’s welcome bonus, an up to $500 Second Chance on first-day casino losses.
The biggest drawback is that the BetRivers platform is starting to show its age. The Live Dealer lobby is not particularly attractive, and the platform is occasionally sluggish. Slowdown and lag are bad enough when playing digital games, but for live Dealers, they’re a game-breaker.
BetMGM Casino
Feature | Details |
---|---|
States Available | NJ, PA, MI, WV |
Number of Tables | 19 |
Exclusive Tables? | Yes |
Game Types | Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Craps, Poker, Game Shows, Sic Bo, Casino Floor |
New Player Bonus Contribution | No |
BetMGM doesn’t do much to differentiate its Live Dealer experience, but it supports a large variety of games in most online casino markets.
First the good. The app has perhaps the most efficient Live Dealer lobby, with no wasted space and smart categorization. The stream quality is excellent, even on WiFi and older model phones, with minimal frame drops and hardly any disconnects.
A deeper dive reveals a staggering 20+ blackjack tables running during prime-time hours, enough to easily fulfill demand. Blackjack minimums range from $20 to $500, which is higher end, but infinite games can be played for a buck.
Exclusive tables are usually limited to standard blackjack, but MGM occasionally opens a branded speed table. 21+3, Any Pair, and Bet Behind side bets are optional on all seated tables.
Now, the not-so-good.
The roulette lobby is thin, with American Roulette (double zero) taking center stage. BetMGM does stream live roulette from Borgata’s casino floor (NJ only), but besides the novelty factor, there isn’t much appeal.
The Poker and Baccarat lobbies are sparse, and the Game Shows menu is average. The overall game selection is about what we’d expect from a solid second-tier online casino, not a nationally recognized brand.
On another dour note, Live Dealer play does not contribute to the site’s welcome bonus, an otherwise appealing 100% match up to $1,000 + $25 no deposit bonus. Instead, players must hit the slots to meet the 15x wagering requirement.
BetMGM has good enough streaming software and just enough games to make our list, but we still expect better.
Other notables
The legal US market boasts a plethora of robust Live Casino apps, leaving no shortage of options. We’ve already outlined the best, but here are a few others worth your attention.
- Bally’s Casino: Bally’s offers most of the staples, but the real appeal is that it’s the only Live Casino in the Rhode Island market. Also, any funds received via its up to $100 cashback welcome package can be applied to Live games.
- Golden Nugget Casino: Golden Nugget pioneered the Live Casino format back in 2016. It has since been absorbed into DraftKings and supports a nearly identical yet slightly inferior lobby.
- Hard Rock Bet: One of the newest Live Dealer Casinos is held back by its limited availability, as Hard Rock Bet only operates casino games in NJ. That’s a shame because it features an impressive 26 games, a sharp interface, and reasonable betting limits. The app is one of only a few that have partnered with Evolution and Playtech for Live Dealer, further distinguishing it. It’s a must-play when visiting the Garden State.
- PlayStar Casino: PlayStar is another Live Casino only available in New Jersey. It supports up to 15 blackjack tables, several blackjack variations, six roulette games, poker, and Game Shows. Admittedly, its collection isn’t as impressive as Hard Rock’s but PlayStar players generate extra value through its lucrative PlayStar Club loyalty program.
- ESPN Bet Casino: We expected a lot from ESPN Bet, and what we got was “decent.” On the plus side, Live Casino is available in four markets (NJ, PA, MI, WV), features a few exclusive blackjack tables (branded Hollywood, not ESPN), and supports very reasonable house limits. Overall, game variety isn’t as comprehensive when stacked against top apps, but it is respectable. The main issues are a lack of innovation and the absence of ESPN branding.
- Fanatics Casino: The mobile-only casino hasn’t done quite enough to topple other big brands, but it’s early. Fanatics’ launch product features an impressive array of Live Casino games, including multiple blackjack, roulette, and poker variants. It’s also among the only Live apps with Speed Baccarat. Players will earn FanCash on every wager, which they can exchange for credits or at the Fanantics merch store.
Which US states offer live dealer casinos?
Live Dealer casinos are offered in seven US states where online casino gambling is legal. Here’s where you’ll find them:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Michigan
- West Virginia
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
Of these, NJ, PA, and MI all support over a dozen Live Dealer casinos, followed by West Virginia, which has a handful.
Connecticut players are limited to just two options, but they’re two of the best (DraftKings and Mohegan Sun Casino in partnership with FanDuel). Coming in last is Rhode Island, restricted by law to a single iGaming operator (Bally’s), and a solitary Live Dealer app.
The vast majority of Live Dealer games are provided by Evolution, a monolith in the online gaming space spanning eight high-profile gaming brands. Its main competitor used to be Ezugi, but Evolution purchased the company in 2018 for $18m.
With Live Dealer studios in NJ, PA, and MI, Playtech is emerging as a minor competitor. However, its games only appear on a few sites, notably bet365, BetRivers, and Hard Rock Bet. Bally’s RI Live experience is powered by Stakelogic, a newcomer in the US that has yet to breach other markets.
Delaware is the only state with legal online casinos that lacks Live Dealers. Yet, that could change soon, as Evolution has entered a partnership with the state’s sole iGaming provider, BetRivers.
How we rank live casino sites
Our team of experts thoroughly vet every legal US Live Dealer app using strict grading criteria to determine how we rank live casino sites.
To even qualify for our list, an app must be legal and licensed, with regulatory oversight provided by a legitimate gaming authority. In addition, they must abide by safety and security standards, with games monitored by professional staff.
Other factors we examine include:
- Game selection: Since most Live Dealer games are spread by the same provider (Evolution), game quality doesn’t vary much from app to app. However, game variety becomes even more important, with casinos supporting a range of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, and exclusive tables taking precedence over ones with fewer gaming options. In the rare case that an app uses multiple Live Casino providers, that’s even better.
- Bonus contribution: We prefer casinos that count Live Dealer play toward bonuses, particularly ones where the bonus contribution rate is 100%. Finding these can be a battle, as many online casinos only count slot play toward bonus wagering requirements, but they’re out there.
- Loyalty programs: Rewards systems that offer kickbacks on Live Casino play are extremely beneficial to players. It’s up to players to decide whether they prefer a loyalty program that provides direct cashback or one integrated with a land-based brand that offers crossover benefits. Either way, the best Live Dealer loyalty programs provide a substantial return on theoretical losses.
- Streaming quality: Three factors go into a Live Casino stream: latency, quality, and stability. Finding a balance between all three can be difficult. Still, the best apps use high-definition cameras and the latest streaming software to provide a near seamless stream with almost 100% uptime, few dropped frames, and a consistently high resolution. With digital games, the occasional disconnect is forgivable, but not so much with real-time gaming.
- Payout options & speed: Legal online casinos offer more legitimate deposit and withdrawal options than their shady offshore counterparts. However, some go the extra mile, supporting trendy options like Apple Pay and Venmo alongside traditional vehicles such as ACH and credit cards. The best casinos will offer at least 1-2 withdrawal methods with instantaneous payouts.
- Mobile access: Virtually all online casinos offer an Android- and iOS-powered mobile app. Yet, some trim down the number of Live Dealer games available on mobile. Others struggle to create an easy-to-navigate UI or introduce apps prone to slowdown and geolocation disconnects. Above all, we prefer apps with stable connections that adequately replicate their desktop platforms.
How do live dealer casinos work?
Live Dealer Casinos work by being integrated into online casino software, so you won’t need to download a separate app or create an additional signup.
- Log in to your preferred online casino.
- Navigate to the Live Casino or Live Dealer menu.
- Select a game.
- The stream will open. If multiple tables of the same game are running, you’ll first be directed to the game lobby. Select a table/seat to open the stream.
- Observe the action until you’re ready to place a wager.
It’s worth noting that some Live Casino sites will not let you watch games unless your real money balance meets the lobby minimum.
A typical lobby looks like this:
In short, Live Casino games juxtapose the social aspects and immersion of land-based casino gambling with the conveniences and security of playing online. The games feature real dealers and real playing devices such as cards and wheels and are spread of physical felts.
However, there are no physical chips, and all player decisions are handled digitally. Cards are read using sophisticated RFID technology. These unique facets remove erroneous errors, such as incorrect payouts and misinterpreted hand gestures.
The games are broadcast in real-time via high-definition cameras and streamed from dedicated live dealer studios, which may be inside a land-based casino or at an offsite location. Typically, several casinos broadcast games from the same studio. This is why you may see the same dealers on different apps. Think of a Live Dealer studio as a shared gaming area with many entrances, each connected to a different online casino.
For instance, Evolution has two live studios in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and streams games for over a dozen casino partners from these locales. However, some online casinos have taken the initiative and launched dedicated studios, allowing them to stream branded exclusive games. FanDuel is a good example of this, as it’s opened branded studios in several markets, including MI and PA.
Live Dealer games offer several convenience features typically unavailable at brick-and-mortar casinos:
- Volume settings
- Game histories
- Game information, including expected return-to-player with optimal play, and digital strategy cards
- Quick access to customer support
- Different camera angles
- Interactive chat features
- Digital dealer tips
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Live Casino tech has advanced enough that studios can create games specifically designed for digital broadcasts. A good example is Lightning Roulette, where lightning strikes 1-5 numbers each round. These numbers award enhanced payouts. You won’t find any lightning inside land-based casinos, or at least we hope not.
Popular live dealer casino games
Modern Live Casinos offer dozens of games, but most fall under just a few categories: Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Game show, Poker (or Carnival) and Dice Games, and Live Streaming Casino Floors.
Blackjack
Blackjack takes center stage at most Live Casinos, which makes sense considering its popularity.
The game is delivered in two flavors: Standard and Infinite.
Standard blackjack
Standard blackjack closely mimics the feel of land-based games. Players take a seat at a seven-handed table and adhere to traditional blackjack rules:
- Eight-deck shoe with 50% deck penetration
- Dealer peeks for Blackjack before betting begins
- Double on any two
- Double after split (once per hand)
- Dealer hits on Soft 17
- Cannot resplit Aces
- Blackjack pays 3:2
Overall, this decent ruleset lags behind some digital blackjack games but is better than what players will find at Vegas Strip casinos. The expected return is 99.30% with perfect basic strategy.
Standard blackjack tables have higher table minimums than other tables, largely due to the limited number of players they can service. These days, $25 – $50 table minimums aren’t uncommon during prime time hours, and $100+ is the norm at VIP tables.
Each game offers at least two side bets:
- 21+3: Pays if the combination of your first two cards and the dealer upcard make a flush or better. (96.3% RTP)
- Any pair: Pays 8:1 if your first two cards are a non-suited pair and 25:1 if they’re suited. (95.9% RTP)
There’s also a Bet Behind feature. This was an early iteration of infinite blackjack but has been rendered somewhat obsolete. Players on the rail (or seated players) can bet on another player’s hand, and they will share the outcome. Beyond the social elements, the main benefit is the ability to play cheaply, as Bet Behind minimums are usually just $1.
However, Bet Behind players are at the mercy of the initial player’s decisions. So, if they hit split 10s, that’s on you.
Infinite blackjack
Infinite blackjack games can theoretically service infinite players, hence the name. Live Dealer casinos accomplish this by dealing one shared hand to all players. Don’t worry, you’ll still make betting decisions independently.
Unlike standard blackjack, infinite is offered in many different flavors, including:
- Infinite Blackjack: This game features a standard ruleset, the only difference being one hand is dealt to all players. (99.30% RTP)
- Free Bet Blackjack: Players get free doubles on hard 9-11, and free splits on 2-9, and Aces. However, all dealer 22s push. It’s not the greatest ruleset, and the lowish 98.45% RTP reflects that.
- Lightning Blackjack: Action-oriented game that requires players to double their bet in exchange for the chance to win a payout multiplier on their next hand. The optimal return is 99.56%, but the strategy is so advanced that few will achieve it.
- Power Blackjack: Bettors can 2x – 4x their wager on any two cards, even after splits, at the expense of the 9s and 10s being removed from the deck — which is a massive disadvantage for the player. The RTP works out to 98.80%
Infinite games can be played for substantially less than standard games, with table minimums usually clocking in at $1. There’s also a sense of togetherness, knowing that your fate is mostly intertwined with other players.
Roulette
Live Casino Roulette is played similarly to the casino floor version, except you won’t be spilling drinks and jumping over other patrons to get a bet down.
The limits are also sharply lower, starting at just $0.10 for automated games and $0.50 – $1 for wheels manned by a human.
The best Live Dealer Casinos will offer a form of single-zero roulette, either European or French. These games have a significantly lower house edge than American Roulette (97.3% RTP vs. 94.74%) and should be played whenever possible.
The two main roulette variations are:
- Lightning Roulette: Every round, 1-5 numbers are struck by lightning multipliers. Straight bets on these numbers will pay between 50x and 500x, depending on the multiplier. To offset this advantage, bets on other numbers only pay 29:1. The theoretical return on this incredibly volatile game is 94.13%
- Quantum Roulette: This is Playtech’s version of Lightning Roulette. The only real difference is that the multipliers run up to 1000x via a second random multiplier called the Quantum Boost.
Baccarat
Baccarat doesn’t get nearly the same love as Blackjack or Roulette, but most US Live Casinos have at least one table running.
The game lends itself exceedingly well to the infinite style of play because players don’t receive cards. Instead, they’re merely betting on the Banker or the Player to end up with a total closer to nine (only the last digit counts).
There are several appeals to Live Dealer Baccarat:
- It’s normally considered a “rich man’s game” but can be played Live for only $1.
- For a glorified coin-flipping contest, the RTP is high — 98.94% on Banker bets and 98.76% on Player wagers.
- The pace of play is considerably quicker at Live Dealer casinos vs. land-based.
All right, so you can’t peel the cards ever so slowly and rip them in half when you lose, but beyond that, Live Dealer Baccarat does a commendable job simulating the game. Just be wary of the side bets, as they’re among the worst in the Live Casino.
Game shows
Live Casinos have recently begun to utilize their studios and tech to offer games that deviate substantially from those found on physical casino floors. Game Shows are just the tip of the iceberg of what players can expect going forward.
The games are presided over by a charismatic host, and rounds are played on colorful wheels or gigantic slots. This gives them a more entertaining, playful feel, similar to a prime-time game show.
Titles include:
- Dream Catcher: This game bears a fairly close resemblance to the Big Wheel or Money Wheel. Players bet on numbers, the host spins a wheel, and if their number hits, they win their initial bet multiplied by the winning number, up to 40x. The twist is that the wheel can also land on a 2x or 7x multiplier, augmenting a player’s next win. This pushes the RTP up to 96.64%, much higher than casino floor wheels.
- Crazy Time: A fusion of digital innovations and a tried-and-true classic, Crazy Time is gaming evolved. The main game functions much like the Big Wheel, except the wheel can land on one of four bonuses. On top of that, each spin is preceded by a slot spin that assigns a random multiplier and/or bonus to a wheel slot. If a bonus hits, a new, fully digitized game is played. Suffice it to say that the name Crazy Time is fitting. (~96% RTP).
- Crazy Coin Flip: Another hybrid game. Players start by spinning a digital slot, hoping to hit three scatters and open the curtain to the main game. Then, the host “flips” a randomly generated coin with values from 5x to 100x. Whatever it lands on, is what players win. If that weren’t crazy enough, there’s also an optional Top-Up round where players can pay extra to increase their multipliers. 96.05% RTP
- Football Studio: A basic high card game played on a miniature football felt. Players bet on Home or Away and win if their side pulls the higher card. There’s also a Draw option with horrible odds. The RTP is 96.27% for the main game.
OK, not all Game Shows are entirely innovative, but the “Crazy” games are beginning to show what can be done with Live Casino tech.
Poker & dice games
Live Dealer poker games are tributes to card-based carnival games commonly found on casino floors. Operators have hesitated to expand too far into this genre, but at least a few poker games can be found on most apps. Common entries include:
- Casino Hold’em
- Ultimate Texas Hold’em
- Three Card Poker
Similarly, dice games are treated as niche. Maybe players don’t like the idea of a mechanical arm flinging their dice, but even Craps isn’t that popular. The popular Asian game Sic Bo also makes an appearance on some apps.
One interesting variation is Lightning Dice. Players predict the sum of three dice, which sounds pretty pedestrian, but with each round, lightning strikes. This has the effect of applying multipliers to 2-4 numbers. The RTP is in the range of 96%, solid for such a simplistic game.
Live streaming casino floors
Sometimes, Live Casinos stream games directly from their land-based partner’s casino floor, usually roulette. For instance, BetMGM Casino in New Jersey has a feed to roulette games played on the Borgata casino floor.
From a player’s perspective, the appeal is hard to understand, as the limits are much higher than traditional Live Dealer roulette, and the format is American (worse odds). We suppose players who relish a purist experience might enjoy it, but that’s about it.
Why you should (or shouldn’t) play live dealer games
Live Dealer games offer numerous advantages to online and land-based players alike. They may also appeal to those who have previously shunned other forms of gambling, especially if they continue evolving into an independent gaming subgenre.
Yet, with anything, the format has its drawbacks, and for some, these will prove too significant. We’ve boiled down the reasons why you should or shouldn’t play live dealer games below:
Live dealer advantages
Live Dealer games are tailor-made for players who enjoy the social aspects of land-based gaming but prefer remaining anonymous. You can text chat with other players and dealers, and they’ll often respond in real-time. There’s also built-in tipping functionality to help show your appreciation for a hot streak. You won’t be able to speak directly to others, but that’s about the only limitation.
Along the same lines, Live Dealer is great for players new to casino gambling because they can read the game rules directly from the table and are gently guided toward their betting options. And if you get embarrassed, no one will see your flushed cheeks.
The format should also appeal to land-based players who can’t hop in their car on a whim and travel to their local casino. In states like New Jersey, casinos are clustered in one area, hours away from some population centers. It’s simply not always viable to make the trip.
Live Casino gaming moves at a pretty relaxed pace, and the betting limits on all games besides standard blackjack are lower than at land-based casinos. This makes them a viable option for casual players who want a cheap night of entertainment.
Online casinos are still relatively new, and some players are skeptical of the format. While we can assure you that all legal online casino games undergo a thorough testing process, you may still prefer card shuffles to computer-based RNG.
Lastly, Live Dealer might be right up your alley if you are sick of the same old casino games. Innovations have led to new games popping up all the time, and some of them wouldn’t work at land-based casinos.
Live casino disadvantages
One of the main disadvantages of Live Casinos is the blackjack betting limits, which are significantly higher than digital blackjack games. Expect the cheapest seat to cost $25+ a hand, maybe more during peak hours. The emergence of infinite games has somewhat alleviated this problem, but not for players who want their own hands.
Players who like gaming fast and furious should steer clear of Live Dealer. Card scans, latency, and chatter slow the game down considerably to where it’s often slower than land-based gaming. This issue isn’t as prevalent as it used to be, especially now with all the “speed” variants, but it still exists.
Live Dealer lobbies are growing but still sparse compared to digital gaming lobbies. Players who enjoy niche table games like Pai Gow or Let it Ride won’t find them. And of course, there isn’t much to grab a slot or video poker player’s attention.
In addition, betting odds tend to be better on the virtual felts. The average Live Dealer Blackjack game has mediocre rules compared to the best online games. That extra house edge of 0.4% might not seem like a ton, but throughout a gambling career, it adds up. Digital roulette games used to be far better than Live Casino equivalents, but some online casinos have finally introduced single-zero variations.
Live dealer casinos & sign-up offers
Live Dealer casinos often offer new registrants a lucrative sign-up offer. These offers can range from deposit match bonuses to second chance offers and free spins.
The one common factor is that to convert bonuses to withdrawable cash, you must give the casino action. Sadly, Live Dealer games are usually the worst choice for bonus conversion.
Deposit match bonuses require players to wager their bonus X number of times before it is released to their cash wallet, and different games contribute at different rates. For slots, the contribution rate is usually 100%. For Live Dealer games, it’s almost always 20% or below, usually 0%.
Even if the contribution rate is 100%, it’ll take much longer to clear bonuses on the Live Casino felts than on a digital game.
Likewise, no-deposit bonuses are almost always restricted to slots.
Second chance bonuses, where players receive their first-day net losses back as cash or casino credits, are more amenable to Live Dealer players. Just make sure that any casino credits can be used on Live Casino games, as this sometimes isn’t the case.
However, these credits are best spent on games with very high returns, and the games with the highest RTPs are almost always digital.
Frequently asked questions
Do online casinos have real dealers?
If an online casino has real dealers, it’s typically because it offers Live Casino games. These live games are managed by professionally trained dealers and hosts, overseen by a Pit Manager, much like in a land-based casino. Everyone you see through the live feed is a real, warm-blooded human.
Games are conducted in real-time or close to it, meaning players can actively interact and converse with dealers.
It’s important to note that online casinos often share dealers. Operators contract third parties like Evolution to operate their Live Casinos, which stream games from a dedicated Live Dealer facility. Although bigger brands like FanDuel are moving in this direction, it wouldn’t make financial sense for smaller casinos to pay for an exclusive studio.
So, if you see the same dealers and games at different online casinos, that’s why.
Which is the best Live Casino?
Generally speaking, the best Live Casinos are the ones that offer the most games, support the best technology, and offer loyalty kickbacks to players.
The online casinos that tick all these boxes tend to be bigger brands like DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars, although some smaller upstarts also do an admirable job.
Can you play live casino for real money? What about for free?
In states where online gambling is legal, you can play Live Casino games for real money with a verified account. However, there is no option to play Live Casino games for free in Demo Mode.
This is understandable, as Live Dealer games incur heavy operational costs and need to recoup these losses by only accepting real money wagers. More often than not, players can’t even open Live Dealer tables unless they have a minimum balance.
By contrast, many casinos allow players to try their digital games for free, as these games are significantly cheaper to operate.
Is live casino available in my state?
Online casino gambling is only legal and regulated in a handful of states, which may include access to Live Casino gaming, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Delaware, and Rhode Island.
Of these, all but Delaware offer Live Casino gaming. Players don’t need to live in these states to enjoy Live games, but they must be physically located within one to wager real money.
Can live dealer casino games be played on mobile devices?
Yes, Live Dealer Casino games can be played on mobile devices at most online casinos, with game selections often paralleling those of desktop platforms.
Are live dealer games legit?
Live Dealer games are not always legit. Legal US online casinos must adhere to stringent regulations, ensuring the legitimacy of their games, Live Dealer included.
Offshore casinos are not held to the same high standards and cannot be fully trusted to run fair games or honor payout requests.
What happens if I disconnect during a live dealer game?
If you disconnect during a Live Dealer game, legal online casinos have slightly different policies, but generally speaking:
- If you disconnect before the betting window closes, the bet will be rejected.
- Once the betting action has closed, all bets will settle in your absence. This rule doesn’t apply to games where you need to make further playing decisions, like blackjack.
- If the blackjack betting action is on you, and you disconnect, the casino will likely hit your hands below 11 and stand on 12+, but this isn’t a universal rule.