Live casino: real dealers, real time

A live casino brings the table to your screen: a dealer in a studio deals real cards or spins a real wheel in front of cameras, and you place your bets through an interface on top of the video stream. It sits somewhere between a land-based casino and software games. This page explains how live games work in general and what to look at before you join a table. We do not describe the specific tables an operator offers, as the selection changes and we have no verified list.

How a live table works

Each round follows a fixed rhythm. A betting window opens with a visible countdown; you place chips on the layout shown on your screen. When the window closes, the dealer deals or spins, and the result is read by the studio system and settled automatically on your balance. Then the next window opens. Because rounds run on the studio's clock rather than yours, you cannot pause a live game — you can only stop joining rounds.

The usual game types

• Roulette: the classic wheel, sometimes with extra features such as random multipliers on certain numbers.
• Blackjack: you play your hand against the dealer, often at tables with a limited number of seats.
• Baccarat: bets on Player, Banker or Tie, with very short rounds.
• Game shows: wheel or board formats with a host, closer to TV entertainment than to a table game.

For a deeper look at the rules behind these games, see our guide to table games.

Table limits and the info screen

Every live table has a minimum and maximum bet, shown in the lobby and inside the table. Low-limit tables let a modest budget last; high-limit tables move money fast. The help or info section of each table explains the rules, the payouts for each bet and, for many games, the theoretical return to player. Read it before your first round — side bets in particular often carry a higher house edge than the main bet.

Live versus software versions

Software versions of the same games use a certified random number generator and let you play at your own pace, often with a demo mode. Live versions are slower per round but cannot be paused, and they rarely offer demo play. Neither is better; they suit different moods. If you are learning a game, the software version is the cheaper classroom.

Staying in control at a live table

The social atmosphere of a live table — the dealer's chat, other players' bets on screen — can make it hard to leave. Set your budget and time limit before you sit down, decide your stake per round, and leave when either limit is reached rather than "after one more shoe". Licensed operators provide deposit limits, reality checks and time-outs. If live play is starting to feel like a need rather than entertainment, read our page on responsible gambling or contact Gambling Therapy.

Licences behind the stream

A live game involves two parties: the studio that runs the table and the operator whose site you play on. The operator's licence is the one that protects you as a customer. Look up the licence number shown at the bottom of the operator's site in the regulator's public register, and check whether it covers the country you live in — a licence from one jurisdiction is not a licence everywhere.

Questions about live casino

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