Compare the Top Live Casinos & Games with Real Dealers
Live casino games combine the thrills of a land-based casino with all the perks of playing online. You can expect to play with real dealers at real tables, and with video streamed in HD. Plus, look out for huge real money bonuses, a brilliant game variety, and software from top developers! Check out our shortlist below for our top-rated live casino websites.
Our Top Recommended Live Dealer Casinos
Unsafe live dealer casinos
If a site makes its way onto our list of sites to avoid, it means it has failed some or all of our 25-step casino review process. We look at things like the variety and fairness of the games, the conditions around bonuses and promos, the banking options, licences and site security. Check out our list of sites to avoid here.
The most popular live dealer games
Live dealer & regular online casino games compared
Typical online games powered by Random Number Generators (RNGs) and live dealer games both come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Your style of play will likely dictate which ends up being your favorite, but if you're unsure where to start, take a look at our comparison below:
| Live dealer games | Enjoy all of the sights and sounds of a brick and mortar casino without leaving your living room. | Play alongside other players from all over the world, enjoying some camaraderie with them and the dealer. | Offers a nice bridge for offline gamblers who are put off by the usual mechanics of web casino games. | Games must be played at the pace dictated by the dealer, which might be faster or slower than a player would otherwise prefer. | The range of games available is often much smaller than that of standard online casino games. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular casino games | A massive range of games available, often in the hundreds, versus just a few live dealer games on offer in typical casinos. | The difference between minimum and maximum possible bets tends to be much higher when playing standard games. | More diverse bonuses and promotions are available to players enjoying standard online casino games. | It's possible to burn through your bankroll in a short space of time if you get caught up in the action and bet too quickly. | The action can feel a bit sterile or artificial when compared with the interactivity of a “real” casino. |
| Live dealer games | Regular casino games |
|---|---|
| Enjoy all of the sights and sounds of a brick and mortar casino without leaving your living room. | A massive range of games available, often in the hundreds, versus just a few live dealer games on offer in typical casinos. |
| Play alongside other players from all over the world, enjoying some camaraderie with them and the dealer. | The difference between minimum and maximum possible bets tends to be much higher when playing standard games. |
| Offers a nice bridge for offline gamblers who are put off by the usual mechanics of web casino games. | More diverse bonuses and promotions are available to players enjoying standard online casino games. |
| Games must be played at the pace dictated by the dealer, which might be faster or slower than a player would otherwise prefer. | It's possible to burn through your bankroll in a short space of time if you get caught up in the action and bet too quickly. |
| The range of games available is often much smaller than that of standard online casino games. | The action can feel a bit sterile or artificial when compared with the interactivity of a “real” casino. |
What are live casinos?
Live casinos are a type of online casino that offer a real ‘live’ dealer to host the games. Many people find the action at a live casino replicates the experience in a land-based casino best. This makes live casinos popular with those who enjoy offline gambling but aren’t able to make the trip to their local casino. Some just prefer to play in the comfort of their own home.
How do live casinos work?
Live casinos function in a similar way to regular online casinos, but the games have a live element. On the player’s end, the interface of a live casino looks very similar, with bets placed by pressing buttons in the usual way. The big difference is that in a live dealer game, a real ‘live’ dealer (using a real roulette wheel, cards etc.) determines the outcome of each round rather than a Random Number Generator. The dealer, who is broadcast video a video stream, can interact with players to create a more social atmosphere.
How to play live casino games
Getting started with live dealer games is really easy, even if you’ve never played at an online casino before, and you can be up and running in a matter of minutes:
Sign up with one of our recommended online casinos and claim your bonus
Make your first deposit using a safe and secure banking method
Navigate your way to the live dealer area of the casino and select the game you want to play
Brush up on the rules and familiarize yourself with the layout of your screen
Follow the dealer's instructions and start enjoying your first round of live dealer play!
Apps & mobile dealer
Mobile
If you're looking to play on the go, mobile live dealer games offer an amazing gambling experience. In the case of instant play live dealer games, there’s no need to download any extra software to your smartphone or tablet because you can access them using a mobile version of the casino’s main site. With that being the case, it’s really easy to get started and the only difference between using a mobile device and a computer is that graphics etc. will have been scaled back to reduce the strain on your connection.
Apps
You’ll also find that some live casinos offer dedicated apps for Android, iPhone and iPad in their respective app stores. There’s a certain degree of convenience in being able to access your favorite casinos and games right from your home screen but, this aside, games look and perform very similarly on apps and mobile instant play websites. It's just a matter of which suits you best!
How we rate the best live dealer casinos
A lot of time, dedication, and accuracy goes into our 25-step casino reviews. Live dealer games and the sites that host them must adhere to our strict player needs. Anything we deem substandard sees us pass over recommending a casino. It is this reason why gamblers from around the world trust us. When compiling our lists of recommended casinos and ones to avoid, we put each to the test, measuring their performance against a benchmark of criteria that we believe ensures our users the best online gambling experience.
Online safety
We look at the encryption certificate and software of all the casinos tested to make sure they provide you with air-tight security.
Payout
It’s vital that once you win on a live dealer table you can withdraw your money as quickly as possible and without having to deal with any hassle.
Responsive support
We try out all the different ways to contact a casino’s customer support team, to make sure they’re responding as quickly as they claim to be.
Mobile accessibility
The best live casinos must offer a responsive, bug-free, and secure mobile gaming experience.
Game variety
The best live dealer casinos should provide players with a variety of live table games and at wagers of all sizes.
Software providers
Live dealer games are provided by various different software providers, each of which has different strengths and weaknesses. Any one of the options listed here represents a safe and enjoyable option for newbies and experienced players alike, but we hope that the information below will help you figure out which is the best live casino software for you.
If you opt for the best software providers in the industry, you’ll be assured of excellent graphics, with slick, speedy gameplay. Alongside getting a fun, exciting game, you’ll know that what you’re playing is fair and completely random. Whether it’s the reputation of Evolution, NetEnt’s beautiful graphics or even the unique quirks of Microgaming that appeal the most, our at-a-glance guide is sure to point you in the right direction.
| Provider | Hits | Misses | Play at |
|---|---|---|---|
Evolution Gaming |
| -Strong reputation could lead to complacency! | |
NetEnt Live |
| -Only online blackjack and roulette variants available | |
Playtech |
| -Still regarded as second to Evolution Gaming | |
Ezugi |
| -UX isn’t anything out of the ordinary | |
Extreme Live Gaming |
| -Many of their titles are just roulette variants | |
Authentic Gaming |
| -Only English-speaking dealers available | |
Microgaming |
| -Only English-speaking dealers available | |
Realtime Gaming |
| -Live dealer games are licensed from third party |
Top tips for choosing a live dealer casino
Not all live casinos are created equal, so you should think hard before you pick the venue where you’re going to play. Where best suits you will depend on a range of factors, such as:
1. Games available
It may be that you’re intending to play just one particular live dealer game or it may be that you want to try as many as possible. Clearly, the number of games a site offers (and the reputation of each one) will have a big impact on how suitable the live online casino experience is for you.
2. Software appearance
There is lots to think about here: how the UX looks, how appealing the background behind the tables are and even how friendly the dealers are! How the software looks, and plays, will inevitably affect whether you want to play there. Above all, you’ll want to make sure that a site is completely safe to use, so look for trusted software providers.
3. Minimum and maximum bets
Most sites offer live dealer games with bets ranging from $5-100. Some providers allow smaller bets, and some allow much larger wagers, but those are few and far between. Even so, it would be a big shame to fall in love with a live gambling site only to find out that you can’t afford to wager there (or want to bet much more).
4. Device compatibility
Think about how you’re going to play when you settle on a live dealer casino – will you be on desktop or maybe on a smartphone or tablet? Certain sites have a better reputation among different platform users, so make sure you always check.
Different live dealer game types
You might be disappointed to learn that typical live dealer casinos offer just a handful of base games. What might soften that blow, however, is the knowledge that most have many different variants of those core games available. From online blackjack to roulette, the most common game variants are shown below:
| Live casino game | Game variants |
|---|---|
Hold’em | Casino Hold ‘Em, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, Live Hold ‘Em Pro |
Baccarat | Squeeze, Control Squeeze, Speed, Mini, Punto Banco |
Blackjack | VIP, Party, Common Draw, Bet Behind, Perfect Pairs, Pre-Decision |
Roulette | European, French, American, Immersive, Speed, La Partage, Double Ball, Double Wheel, Ra, Dual Play, Dragonara Slingshot, Golden Ball, Sizzling Hot, Auto |
Sic Bo | Grand Hazard, Chuck-a-luck |
Omaha Hi-Lo | Omaha Hi |
Play at a live dealer casino
Our reviewers have searched high and low to find sites offering the latest and greatest live dealer casino games. No matter what your game and platform of choice, you're sure to find something to suit you, so check out our top online casinos with live games and see for yourself!
The #1 live dealer casino
Frequently Asked Questions
What are live dealer games?
Live dealer games are versions of online casino games that allow the player to connect to a real human dealer via a live video feed. They are available at the most top casino websites and they can be accessed from a computer, mobile, or tablet. Real cards, chips, and roulette wheels are used on the croupier’s end while software to make wagers and bets are used on the player’s end. The live chat options brings a social element to the game. It’s the most realistic casino experience outside of a land-based casino.
What table games will I find at live casinos?
You will find lots of table games at live casinos, namely blackjack, roulette, baccarat, Caribbean Stud, three card poker, Hold'em, and more. Live dealer games are always being added. If you’re looking for an online way to enjoy your favorite table games, live casinos are the place to play.
Which live dealer games are the most popular?
Online blackjack and roulette are the most popular live dealer games for a variety of reasons, and chief amongst these is their simplicity. Both are really easy to learn and even a beginner can pick up the key elements in no time. Another reason is the small house edge, which means players can get a lot of play for their money. You can spend a great deal of time enjoying interactions with a real-life dealer, for a minimal outlay.
Can I try live dealer games for free first?
Yes, a growing number of sites offer free demos of live casino games. These are not available everywhere, but you can generally find casinos that have the option. Even on sites without real dealer demos, you can play automated versions of the same casino games for free, as a way to try before you buy.
Are live games rigged?
No, you’ll be glad to know live games are not rigged. The games are tested by independent bodies to ensure everything is fair and above board, as is the case with all other online casino games at reputable sites. Any good online casino will display their accreditation on-site, so you can see it has willingly subjected itself to independent testing under the terms of its online gaming licence.
Are there live dealer options for mobile & tablet users?
Yes, a growing number of sites have brought live dealer casino games to their mobile and tablet versions. Not every live dealer game you see on a casino site may be compatible with the device, but this is quickly changing thanks to player demand. Currently live blackjack, roulette, and 3 card poker are the most popular mobile variations. Keep in mind that screen size can be more important to the live dealer experience than on regular casino games, if you can't see the dealer then you won't get the full experience.
