Best Live Casinos: What are they, how do they work, and are they worth it?

Be it Blackjack, Baccarat, Poker, or any other game – most online casinos today offer these games in a “live casino” format. To add to this, online live casinos also offer TV show-style live game shows, which provide an even more interactive experience.

In this guide, we will see what live casino games are, how they work, and what players can expect. We also have some of the best live casinos in the UK picked by our experts – so you can skip to the fun part. 

If you’ve ever browsed online casino sites in the UK, then you might have an idea about live casino games. Much like the name suggests, these are the casino games that you are hosted by live dealers. 

You get a more immersive and social gaming experience than traditional online casino games without leaving the comfort of your home. Plus, there’s a wide variety to choose from – card games, dice games, and even game shows. 

What are live casino games?

Simply put, live casino games are games that are hosted by a real-life dealer at a studio, and the game is directly streamed to your screen. 

Instead of playing against a computer, you interact with real-life dealers and other players in a live-streamed environment. This creates a more social and authentic gaming experience.

The aim is to deliver a virtually immersive, almost lifelike casino experience, which we think live dealer games successfully achieve.

In the UK, you can enjoy live casino games at various online casinos. These platforms offer a wide range of live dealer games, including classics like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker, as well as innovative game shows and unique variants.

Some online casinos in the UK also offer live bingo. For instance, MrQ Casino has its own live Bingo rooms that players can join in. Some of them are free, while some have an entry fee.

How do live casinos work?

As mentioned, live dealer games are hosted in a studio, which is usually located in a place with favourable gambling regulations. It’s a professional studio setup with professional-grade cameras, microphones, and lighting to ensure a high-quality streaming experience.

The game is streamed in real-time to players’ devices to mimic the experience of a real-life casino. Players can interact with the dealer as well as other players via chat. 

Much like other casino games, the results of the live dealer games are also determined by random number generator (RNG) software. This ensures fairness and prevents any manipulation of the game’s outcome.

From a player’s perspective, this is what a live dealer game looks like – 

Imagine – you’re playing a game of Live Baccarat. You, as a player, would be interacting with a dealer that is hosting you in real-time. As a round begins, you have to bet on the game just like you would in real life. You’d also be able to chat with other players, which adds a social element to online gambling. 

“The social element is one of the main attractions here,” says Umer Khan, who has hosted Blackjack games as a live dealer for several years. 

“For example, in a live Blackjack game, you can interact with up to six other players at the table, as well as the dealer, through the live chat feature,” Umer said. “This is a completely different experience than the 2D table games that are similar to computer games,” he added.

Further, most live casino games are available 24/7, and they are perfectly playable on computers, mobile phones, and tablets – this means you can play anytime and anywhere. 

What Can You Play at Live Casino UK? 

Over the years, casino software providers have made significant developments and brought about several innovations. So, if you have a look at any online casino’s portfolio, you will find a wide variety of games.

While we cannot list ALL the games out there, here are some popular options – 

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Poker

Now, the most popular Poker variant is Hold’em – where players use their two ‘hole cards’ and five community cards to make the best possible hand. Many variations on this format have been developed by operators, meaning Hold’em fans are spoilt for choice.

Bingo

In the UK, Bingo is one of the nation’s favourite games and is played in clubs all over the country. However, over recent years, online Bingo has become hugely popular as well, with sites offering online 2D bingo as well as Bingo rooms. 

Blackjack

Much like Poker, Blackjack is a casino staple as well as a popular choice for online gamblers. In addition to the classic ‘21’, software providers like Evolution and Ezugi offer their own modified versions of the game, like Power Blackjack and Infinite Blackjack.

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Baccarat

The ‘James Bond’ card game is a simple game that requires little skill and is often based on luck. In Baccarat, players are able to bet on the ‘Player,’ the ‘Banker’, or a ‘Tie’. Of course, providers have invented their own modified versions like Speed Baccarat and No Commission Baccarat – so you can expect some variety here. 

Roulette

Another casino favourite is Roulette, and software providers have a lot to offer here. Much like Blackjack, you will find a wide variety of modified Roulette games like XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, Instant Roulette, and more.

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Dice Games

In addition to the table games we mentioned, providers also offer dice games like Craps and Sic Bo – although they’re not as popular as their card counterparts. Software providers offer a few variations of both of these games.

If you don’t know where to start, then Live Blackjack might be a good choice. “I’ve had the pleasure of hosting this game for two years with Betway Casino, and it’s easily one of my favourites,” says Umer. “First of all, it’s easy to learn, which makes it suitable for all players. And unlike Poker, the rounds are quick, so you don’t have to wait around,” he added.  When you get the hang of Blackjack, you can level it up with the modified variants of the game. “If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the side bets,” Umer suggested.

Live Casino Game Shows

As we mentioned earlier, the live casino category now has expanded quite a lot and most providers offer at least a few game shows. 

Much like the term suggests, these are TV show-style games that are streamed live. Very often, these games have exciting bonus rounds, multipliers, and interactive elements that make them engaging and entertaining.

Again, we cannot list every single live casino game show, so we’re listing some popular ones here that you can try –

• Deal or No Deal: Based on the popular British TV show (which also inspired international spin-offs), this is a live casino game show where players have to choose briefcases and make deals with the banker. 

• Wheel of Fortune: Much like the name suggests, this game show involves players spinning a wheel and winning rewards. There are several TV shows that follow the same format, like Spin The Wheel or Wheel of Fortune.

• Mega Ball: Similar to the lottery shows on TV, Mega Ball combines the thrill of watching numbered balls being drawn with the interactive element of marking off numbers on your own cards. It is a combination of lottery + bingo in an entertaining package!

Most online casinos offer some kind of bonuses or promotions for live casino games. For instance, you might get a reload or cashback offer or even a live casino tournament. So do check the promotions page before you start playing!

What to look for in a live casino?

To start with, we’d like to clarify that a ‘live casino’ here means an online casino that offers live casino games. If you have a look online, most casinos have a dedicated section for live casino games in addition to slots and other games. 

For players, this opens up a wide range of options, and it can become tricky to keep track of things. So here’s our checklist that you can refer to while choosing a casino. 

Licenses	The first thing you should be looking at is the casino’s license. See whether it’s regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which means that the casino adheres to strict industry standards.
Software Providers	The quality of live casino games relies heavily on the software provider. A reputable, well-established provider will have professional studios, trained dealers, and a large variety of games.
Variety of Games	The variety of games is also important, so look for a casino that offers classics like Poker, Roulette, and Blackjack as well as newer options like game shows.
Bonuses for Live Games	Online casinos often offer bonuses specifically for live dealer games. You may find a welcome bonus, reload, cashback, or even a part of the casino’s loyalty program.
Promotions	In addition to bonuses, some casinos also offer leaderboards, live casino tournaments, and even loyalty programs. If you like to have some challenges and competitions, then look out for these promotions.
Payment Options	For convenience, look for casinos that offer multiple payment methods. So in case one payment option fails, you can use another one.
User experience	To get the best experience, look for a casino site that loads quickly, has an easy search function, and is optimized for mobiles and other devices.
Mobile compatibility	If you enjoy playing on your smartphone or tablet, ensure the casino’s live games are optimised for mobile devices.
Customer support	Be it live games or just slots, responsive and helpful customer support is crucial for a good experience. Before you sign up, check how the casino offers help and how fast it is.

As always, we’d recommend our readers to play responsibly as everyone deserves a safe gambling experience. Online casinos are meant to be fun – so let’s keep it that way. For more details on this topic, check out Responsible Gambling resources and tools.

Best Live Casino Providers

As mentioned, the variety and quality of live casino games depend a lot on the software provider. 

To put it into perspective, a provider specializing in live dealer games is likely to provide better quality games than a provider that offers a wider range of casino games, including slots and table games.

Here are some of the top live casino providers, along with games you might want to try:

Software provider	What’s special about the provider	Games to try
Evolution Gaming	The industry leader is known for its vast selection of high-quality live games and innovative game shows.	Lightning Roulette, Crazy Time, and First Person Craps
Ezugi	Best known for incorporating cultural themes and localized tables for a diverse audience	Unlimited Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, and Andar Bahar
Pragmatic Play Live	This is a rising star known for creating game shows with visually stunning games and innovative features	Sweet Bonanza CandyLand, Mega Wheel, and ONE Blackjack
Authentic Gaming	Well-known for streaming live games from real land-based casinos to deliver a more authentic experience	Roulette Live from Foxwoods Resort Casino and Viva Las Vegas Roulette
Playtech	Well-established provider with high-quality live games, which offers a variety of betting options to be accessible to all players	Adventures Beyond Wonderland Live and Quantum Blackjack

To play games from these providers, you can check our picks for the best online live casinos UK. 

Live Casino Online UK – Our Top Recommendations

Based on our in-house expert reviews, we’d like to recommend these online casinos for live casino games – 

Pros and Cons of Online Live Casinos UK

Whether live dealer games are worth it or not depends on your personal preference and taste. But here are some general pros and cons of live casino games that sum up the argument well –

Why live casino games are great ✅	Why they may not be for everyone ❌
Mimics the atmosphere of a real-life casino	The minimum bets might be on the higher side
Players can interact with real-life dealers	Free demos are usually not available
Interaction with other players adds a social element	Need stable internet for the best experience
Wide variety of card games, dice games, and even game shows
Casinos offer bonuses and promotions for live games to make it more enticing.

Conclusion – Are Live Casino Worth it? 

To sum it up, yes, live casinos online are totally worth the experience they deliver. You get an immersive, interactive, and almost real-life experience with live casino games. Plus, the best live casinos offer a wide variety of table games, dice games, and game shows that you can try. And if you manage to get a bonus, then that’d be a cherry on top. 

The only potential downsides to live dealer games is that you’d need a stable internet connection for the best experience, and the minimum bets are on the higher side. Nonetheless, if you want to level up your online casino experience, then live dealer games are the best way to do it. Check out the best live casino sites at PlatinCasino UK, and get started!

FAQs

How do live casino games work?

Live casino games are streamed via a video link from a casino table. Players can interact with the dealers and other players through a chat function, and make bets in real-time on their device.

3. What types of games are available at live casinos?

Popular live casino games include Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat, and Live Poker. Some sites also offer game show-style games, like Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live.

4. Can I play live casino games on my mobile device?

Yes, most live casinos are optimized for mobile devices, allowing players to stream live games on their smartphones and tablets without any loss in quality.

5. Are live casino games fair?

Absolutely. Live casinos are regulated and monitored by gaming authorities. Additionally, reputable live casinos use licensed equipment and highly trained dealers to ensure fairness and transparency.

6. What are the minimum and maximum stakes in live casino games?

The minimum and maximum stakes can vary depending on the game and the casino. Generally, live casinos cater to both low-stakes players and high rollers, with bets starting as low as a few cents and going up to thousands of dollars.