Live Casinos 2021

What is a live dealer casino?

Live casinos are a relatively new form of gambling that appeared recently and became popular worldwide. The online gambling environment has evolved quite a lot since new technologies offer new possibilities. 

This is how we got to witness the birth of live dealer casinos or virtual casinos and perhaps in the future even a combination of them both. 

Live online casinos function pretty much the same as standard casinos. You place the bets online, exactly like you would on regular online casino games with the help of the buttons; deposits and withdrawals are done in the same way and you can play on either a mobile device or a desktop system, exactly like you do at regular casinos.

However, live online casinos have a special element. They allow you to interact with other real gamers and live dealers and see them. Basically, it’s exactly like being in a real casino at a real gambling table without actually having to leave the comfort of your home. 

The idea of live online casinos emerged in the mid-’90s and appealed to the public almost instantaneously. The idea of interacting with a real dealer when gambling at home became the next big hype, however not much happened right away. 

In the mid-’90s there wasn’t enough technology for this dream to become reality. Devices were very limited and streaming connections could barely keep up with low-quality transmissions. It was only later in the mid-2000s when live dealer online casinos actually became a thing.

How do live casinos work?

State-of-the-art cameras and microphones are installed throughout the room and around the gaming table to capture every moment of the game. As you would expect, these are a key element of a live casino online table. 

Just to imagine the complexity of the setup, a roulette table will usually have three separate cameras attached for a complete overview offering a view of the wheel itself, details of the table and a third one that offers picture-in-picture feedback. 

Another key element of live casinos is the GCU (Game Control Unit). This device is small, just about the size of a shoebox and deals with encoding the whole video.

The physical actions made by the live dealer are translated into data by OCR (Optical Character Recognition. This technology captures every single action from the shuffling of the cards or the spinning of the wheel to the tiniest gesture of the live dealer.

Lastly, as a new addition to live casinos, we have the tables or the wheels. Major manufacturers build these tables specifically for live casinos adding built-in sensors that interact with the casino’s software and can broadcast information to players in real time. 

Depending on the type of live casinos games you are playing, the process of gameplay might be a bit different but overall the steps are just about the same.

The dealer is filmed and the images are transformed and broadcasted through the live stream to all the gamblers that are participating in the game. 

Players will place their bets and, at this point, the casino live dealer will ask for additional information and after all the bets have been placed, the “No more bets” announcement is made and the betting buttons will become inactive. 

Based on the game you are playing, the live casino dealer will either spin the wheel or deal cards. The process is also captured by the cameras and the sensors on the table and all players will be informed of the results in a matter of seconds. 

If at a regular online casino the outcomes are determined by the Random Number Generator, at a live online casino, the outcome is determined by the dealer, exactly like in a brick-and-mortar establishment. 

Live casinos vs. regular online casinos

Live online casinos act pretty much the same as standard casinos with the exception that here, players are allowed to interact with other real gamers and live dealers and see them.

Live casinos online can be considered the ultimate experience where you can feel like you are in a real casino at a real gambling table without actually having to leave the comfort of your home. 

However, there are also a couple of major differences between online live casinos and regular casinos that you should check because, for some gamblers, these can be considered deal-breakers.

As mentioned above, regular casinos will only allow you to play versus a computer, a rather boring experience for some players. An RNG (Random Number Generator) will be responsible for the randomization of the outcomes.

Live online casinos on the other hand function like land-based establishments. Players can interact with each other and with real dealers and the outcome is not based on RNG. Instead, the randomness of the result is determined by the dealer’s actions.  

Given the fact that at regular casinos you get to play versus an algorithm, increased privacy is ensured. Not the same can be said about live dealer online casinos. Here, it all comes down to a matter of taste and just how sociable you are or how interactive you want your gambling experience to be.

Both regular and live casinos are available 24/7 for players. This is one of the greatest perks of playing online, however, due to the higher operating costs of an online live casino, this type of website will usually have bigger wagers compared to regular online casinos, making them not very friendly towards casual players or beginners. 

Even if live casinos are very popular nowadays, the technology required for them to run is quite expensive. That’s why there aren’t a lot of gambling websites offering live games compared to regular casinos and the selection of games available is rather limited. 

How to get started with live casinos

The online gambling environment has its fair share of risks because players have to be careful when picking their live dealer casino, especially when they are playing from territories where gambling is illegal or in a grey zone.

You should always take your time and check the live online casino where you wish to play. The specific online live casino should be licensed and regulated by the authority from your country if you live in a country where gambling is legal or should at least wear the logo of a reputable authority like the Malta Gaming Authority or the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. 

Check the selection of games and the software development company that powers the specific website and pick the ones that have what interest you.

After you have successfully picked your desired live dealer online casino, the next steps are fairly easy:

1. Go to the register section where a fill-up form will appear and you will have to provide some information.

2. You will also have to pick a payment method. Most casinos will require you to use the same method for deposits and withdrawals. 

3. Make your first deposit. This is also your chance to claim a live casino bonus after you have carefully read the wagering requirements and the terms and conditions in place.

4. Go to the Live Casino section and select the game you wish to play. You should go through the rules and get used to the layout.

5. When you are ready, engage in your first online live dealer casino game.

6. Potential wins can be withdrawn after you have completed the playthrough requirements from the Cashier section. 

Get Your Live Casino Online No Deposit Bonuses

One of the great perks of playing at a live online casino is that you will be showered with plenty of bonuses and promotions and offers. This is the casino’s way to attract new players and keep the veterans coming back.

In terms of bonuses, there is no difference between standard gambling websites and live online casinos, meaning that all bonuses or promotions will be available.

Before jumping in to claim a welcome bonus, no matter how great it may seem, remember to verify the wagering requirements and the terms and conditions. There is no point in claiming a bonus if you are not able to actually complete the playthrough requirements to reap the benefits out of it. 

The most common bonuses offered for new players are: 

• Cashback offers

• No deposit bonuses 

• Low wagering requirement bonuses 

• Match-up bonuses

Please note: Some of these offers might be mixed, for example, a match-up bonus can also be a low wagering requirement bonus if its playthrough requirements remain around or under 30x. 

Two of them are a bit more special and rarer than others, the cashback and the no deposit ones. Cashback offers mean that a percentage of your loss in a week or a month will be granted back, either as credit for other games or plain cash.

The most unique bonus you can hope to claim at an online live casino bonus is a no deposit bonus. As the name suggests, this type of offer requires no sort of investment. Even if the wagering requirements still apply, just like in the case of others and this bonus is usually smaller, it is still the best one possible.

Finding a good no deposit bonus casino and managing to claim this offer will guarantee you a good start because you actually get to gamble with more money than you initially had, automatically increasing your chances to win. 

The most popular live casino games

In general, live casino games are just like the classic table games we know and love, only this time they take place live with a real dealer. The most popular live casino games are blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and craps. 

Blackjack

This is actually the first-ever casino game that became available at a live dealer online casino. Blackjack is still a very popular card game in all its versions and you will find plenty of variations like Playboy Blackjack or Common Draw Blackjack at Live Dealer Blackjack Casinos. 

According to the software providing company that’s powering the specific live online casino, you will find Blackjack being offered in a variety of languages, starting from English and ending up with European languages such as Spanish, Swedish or Danish. 

Roulette

It was somehow expected that the “king of casino games” would be among the first ones to reach live dealer platforms. The other games offered at a live online casino are usually games of skill, live Roulette being an exception.

Available in European, French and American versions, Roulette is a nice change in the scenery as it is a game of chance and is much easier for beginners to get a hang of it. 

At Live Roulette Casinos, betting possibilities are nearly endless and you don’t need a lot of experience to get going or potentially bag some nice prizes. 

Just like other live dealer casino games, live dealer roulette can be played with native-speaking dealers in languages such as Italian, Russian, Swedish, French, or English. 

Baccarat

For a very long time, Baccarat has been seen as an elite game. When the online market developed this game simply took off in popularity becoming available to regular players. There are plenty of variations that can be enjoyed at Live Baccarat Casinos like Live Baccarat 7 Seat, Live Knockout Baccarat or Live Mini Baccarat. 

Craps

Just like Roulette, Craps is considered more a game of chance than of skill. It allows a large number of possible bets and its utter simplicity attracts players even in our modern days. If the other games on our list are no surprise that they came at the top, Craps was really a surprise when it became available at Live Craps Casinos.

Few would have imagined that this game will actually last and evolve so long after its invention and even fewer would have ever imagined that it would become a top choice at live online casinos. 

The main developers of Live Dealer Casino Games

Live casino games are not currently provided by a large number of software development companies. The format of these games, the technological requirements and the financial investment are quite high and few software providers actually managed to place themselves at the top of the live casinos market.

• Evolution Gaming - Active since 2006, Evolution Gaming Casinos are considered the best when it comes to live games. This company has brought plenty of innovative solutions and it has a large number of live studios throughout Latvia, Malta and Uk. They offer Standard and VIP tables along with Multi-Game Play. 

• NetEnt - Ever since it first emerged on the market, NetEnt managed to quickly reach the top. Currently, their portfolio also includes Live Games and NetEnt Live Casinos are highly popular and appreciated. This company even has a couple of specially designed games for live rooms like Live Common Draw Blackjack, VIP Live Roulette, and Beyond Live Blackjack. 

• Playtech - Another titan in the industry, Playtech is actually one of the oldest software development companies on the market. They managed to keep the stakes high for their competition and still continue to develop modern and popular games.

It is still regarded as second to Evolution Gaming even if at Playtech Live Casinos, players can enjoy native tables in a large number of languages, there is the greatest number of live games offered and also they have multiple gaming licenses.

• Ezugi - This company can be considered quite the opposite of Playtech. Ezugi is a relatively young software provider, founded in 2012, yet it managed to place itself on top offering at Ezugi Casinos some unusual live casino games like Live Keno, Live Lottery and Live Bet on Numbers. 

They have 9 studios and a catalog of more than 20 games, being licensed primarily by the Curacao Licensing Authority. 

• Microgaming - Being one of the most renowned software developers on the market, Microgaming is fighting Playtech for the second place on our list. This company is the founder of eCOGRA and Microgaming Live Casinos offer a wide selection of games.

• Authentic Gaming - Another young provider coming in hot with plenty of innovative and exciting approaches to live gambling. Unfortunately, being a young software provider, Authentic Casinos only offer English-speaking dealers. 

Play Live Games on Mobile Devices

Live online casinos are available just like any other regular gambling websites on mobile devices. The live stream adapts perfectly to each device, no matter if you are watching the game on a smart TV, smartphone, or a desktop system like a PC or Laptop.

Playing at an online live casino can be compared to having a web call on Messenger, Whatsapp, or Skype. What you are seeing is a real-time representation of what’s happening in the studio. 

There is a slight difference between playing at live online casinos compared to regular sites on mobile. Because of the continuous stream, you need to have a stable internet connection to be able to play and enjoy the gameplay properly. Still, you can enjoy high-quality gambling at mobile casinos without worrying about any functionality issues.

Final Words - Tips for an enjoyable live gaming experience

Live casino online games can be considered the biggest breakthrough in the iGaming market. Enjoyed by players all around the world who want to enjoy a realistic gambling experience without having to leave the comfort of their homes, online live dealer casinos can be considered the best of both worlds.

On one side they allow smaller wagers compared to land-based casinos and let you play from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection, but on the other side, they still offer live interaction, eliminating most algorithms and RNG.

To fully enjoy your live dealer casino experience, you should always keep in mind a couple of simple rules:

• Never swear in the chat or use any sort of racist, homophobic, sexist, or religious comments. You are there to enjoy gambling, just like other players. Besides being rude, comments like the ones above will quickly get you banned or your account suspended. 

• Always claim a bonus when starting an account. It’s the best way to get started because you get a couple of extra cash that you can gamble to ensure some potentially early wins.

• Learn when to retreat. Bad days are sometimes just bad days. Don’t try to turn it around right away. Being tired and frustrated will only lead to making bad decisions and in the end, lose even more. Retreat and come back another day when you are fresh and ready to make the best decisions. 

• Closely related to the rule above is bankroll management. Don’t spend everything in one day! Spread your balance in more gambling sessions. Even if you gamble for less, it is best to be able to gamble and win then to not be able to gamble at all because you lost all your money in one single session. 

We hope you enjoyed our in-depth guide to playing in a live casino online. Now you’re ready to pick a gambling platform from the list above, sign up and claim a welcome bonus to kickstart your gambling adventure.