Live casinos allow players to enjoy their favourite table games like baccarat, roulette or blackjack in real time, with a human dealer. The setting is virtually the same as an actual casino, and you can follow the dealer’s actions – and therefore the game – easily.
Equally, the best online casinos use trained, professional dealers, so you have the peace of mind of knowing your game will be conducted properly and fairly.
At the same time, you can enjoy the real casino experience any time, wherever you are, and benefit from the newest technology when you play in live casinos. There’s also the chance to interact with dealers in real time, using the live chat feature.
Of course, things can go wrong, and you may find a more limited selection of games in live casinos, or that the pace is sometimes a little slower than in a geographical casino. But, on balance, most online gamblers enjoy the occasional visit to a live game and immersing themselves in the real casino experience.
As US entrepreneur Brock Pierce says:
Casino games are the one kind of content that has stood the test of time
Or as, commented by another American businessman, Steve Wynn:
Casino gambling is colourful and dramatic and theatrical.
In a live casino, you can enjoy that experience to the full – without leaving home.
Tips for choosing
When it comes to choosing your live online casino, the rules aren’t all that different from picking either a geographical or regular online operator. Look out for the following before you commit:
- Check the terms and conditions of play
- See what games categories are offered, and which variants of each game
- Assess available promotions and bonuses
- Look at the security offered and whether the casino holds a valid licence
- See whether the casino works with a leading, reliable software provider
- Finally, address the site’s withdrawal and deposit options
- How customer support is offered, and whether this is 24/7
Best online live casinos
Casino Cruise
With live offerings from the likes of Microgaming and NetEnt, Casino Cruise offers appealing graphics, no-nonsense navigation and straightforward gameplay.
No downloading is needed, and you can play on the move. The focus of the live games is on blackjack and roulette. Overall, you can look forward to a user-friendly experience, with high-definition streaming, and reviewers have commented especially on the helpfulness of the in-game statistics during live play.
888 Live Casino
Using its own proprietary software and products from Evolution Gaming, 888 offers play via a Flash stream or download. Thanks to the variety of tables available, there are no waiting times. Equally, the whole process of selecting a table, placing a bet and then leaving runs extremely smoothly.
Chat to the knowledgeable dealers or other players using the chat window, and enjoy baccarat, blackjack and roulette here. It’s true there are no unique offerings, but 888 is still a huge industry name you can’t ignore.
Casumo
Launched in 2012, Casumo is a comparative newcomer to the world of online gaming but has had a strong impact in a relatively short period of time. Its online tables are powered by industry giant NetEnt, and you can play from as little as £1 a round, connecting with highly trained dealers as you experience very realistic gameplay. You’ll find multiple variants of roulette and blackjack here.
bet365
With high-quality streaming, bet365 replicates the bricks-and-mortar experience well – plus there’s a mobile app just for live-dealer games.
The betting interface is also of high quality, while the real USP here is that you get to visit both Asian and European live-dealer rooms, giving a wide choice of games. Reviewers have also praised the experienced dealers and customer-focused experience.
PlayOJO
Another relative newcomer on the scene, again PlayOJO offers plenty in the way of real-time thrills, with roulette, blackjack, Dream Catcher and more, powered by Evolution Gaming, NetEnt Live and others and all fully mobile-friendly.
This operator uses high-quality webcasting technology to link you up with a professional human dealer as though you were in the room with them. You’ll find a user-friendly interface, great sounds and graphics and plenty of perks and bonuses into the bargain.
Casino Joy
Casino Joy's section of this operator includes the likes of Evolution Gaming’s Lightning Roulette and Net’s Ent’s Live Blackjack Pro, alongside Texas Hold’Em. There are numerous variants of favourite table games, plus Dream Catcher and a live poker lobby.
There’s a relaxed atmosphere, navigation is a doddle and a nice clean design, plus everything is available on mobile. What more could you want?
Summing up
Once you get into online gaming, you’re sure to find the draw of at least the occasional live game irresistible, and playing in real-time offers a lot of excitement. Play responsibly, and with a reputable operator, and you can look forward to limitless fun when gambling this way.
