Live casino guide
Live casino, explained.
Live casino games put a real dealer, real cards and a real wheel on your screen, streamed as it happens. This guide covers how live dealer games work, how they differ from standard online games, the main tables and game shows, bet limits, bonus rules and how to play sensibly.
The basics
How a live round works
Every live table follows the same basic loop, whatever the game.
Join a table
Pick a game from the lobby. You see a video stream of a dealer at a real table, usually in a purpose-built studio.
Place your bets
A betting timer counts down on screen. You tap chips onto the betting areas shown over the video before it runs out.
The dealer plays
When betting closes, the dealer deals the cards or spins the wheel. Cameras and card scanners read the result.
Settle and repeat
Winning bets are paid to your balance automatically, the table clears and the next betting window opens.
Live vs standard games
How live games differ from RNG games
Standard online table games and pokies use a random number generator (RNG) to decide results instantly. Live games use physical cards, wheels and dice.
| Live dealer games | RNG games | |
|---|---|---|
| How results are decided | Real cards, wheels or dice, filmed live | A random number generator |
| Pace | Slower: you wait for the timer and the dealer | As fast as you click |
| Minimum stakes | Often higher | Often lower |
| Demo or free play | Usually not available | Often available |
| Social side | Dealer and chat window | None |
| Available | When the table is open; many run around the clock | Any time |
The slower pace means fewer rounds an hour, which can make a budget last longer than on fast RNG games. The house edge depends on each game's rules, not on whether it's live.
What you can play
The main live dealer games
Live blackjack
Usually a table of up to seven seats. If it's full, many tables let you "bet behind" a seated player and share their result. Rules follow standard blackjack.
Live roulette
A real wheel, spun by the dealer. There's no seat limit, so any number of players can bet on the same spin. See our roulette guide for the bets and odds.
Live baccarat
Bet on Player, Banker or Tie and the dealer does the rest. Some versions add a "squeeze", where cards are revealed slowly. See our baccarat guide.
Live poker-style games
Games such as Casino Hold'em and Three Card Poker are played against the dealer, not other players, so they carry a house edge. For poker against other players, see how to play poker.
Unlimited-seat versions
Some blackjack and poker-style tables let any number of players play the same hand, each making their own decisions on the shared cards.
Dice and other games
Many lobbies also carry dice games and simple card games where you bet on which side wins.
Game shows
Money wheels and multiplier games
Live game shows mix casino betting with a TV-style set and a presenter rather than a dealer.
Money wheels
A large vertical wheel split into numbered segments. You bet on the number you think it will stop on, and each number pays a different amount. Rarer segments pay more.
Random multipliers
Many shows add random multipliers to some bets or segments before the result, which can turn a normal win into a much bigger one.
Bonus rounds
Landing a bonus segment triggers a separate mini-game. The prize is often shared by everyone who bet on that segment.
Game shows tend to have a wider spread of house edges than classic table games, and it can vary from bet to bet within the same show. Check the help screen for the return on each bet.
At the table
Timers, limits and etiquette
The stream
Video runs a few seconds behind real time. A weak connection can drop the stream, but a round still completes and is settled; most games use a set rule for any decisions you miss, which the help screen explains.
The betting timer
Bets are only accepted while the timer runs. Once it closes, you can't add or change bets for that round. In blackjack you also get a short timer for each decision.
Bet limits
Each table shows a minimum and maximum bet, often per betting area. Tables are usually split into lower-limit and higher-limit versions of the same game.
Seat limits
Blackjack tables have a fixed number of seats. Roulette, baccarat and game shows usually don't, so you can always join.
Chat etiquette
Be polite to the dealer and other players. Chat is moderated, so abuse, spam and sharing personal details can get you muted. Dealers can't help with account or payment issues; contact support for those.
Game history
Most tables show recent results. Each round is independent, so past results don't tell you what comes next.
Before you play
Bonuses and playing sensibly
Live games often contribute little or nothing towards bonus wagering requirements. Some bonuses exclude them completely, so bets on live tables may not count at all.
- Set a budget before you start and treat it as the cost of entertainment. Only use money you can afford to lose.
- Check the table limits before you sit down, and pick a table where the minimum bet suits your budget.
- Know the rules first. There's no demo mode, so learn the game from the help screen or an RNG version before you play live.
- Read the bonus terms for game contribution and excluded games before playing live with bonus funds.
- Use deposit limits, session reminders and time-outs. Most sites offer them in your account settings.
- Stop when you planned to, win or lose, and never chase losses.
Good to know
Live casino FAQ
Are live casino games real?
Yes. A real dealer uses physical cards, wheels or dice, and the action is streamed to you as it happens, usually from a dedicated studio. Your bets are placed through the on-screen interface.
Can I play live casino games for free?
Usually not. Live tables need real dealers and studios, so most don't offer a demo mode. You can learn the rules by playing the RNG version of the same game, where a free-play mode is often available.
Do live casino games count towards wagering requirements?
Often only a small amount, or nothing at all. Many casino bonuses give live games a low contribution rate or exclude them completely. Check the bonus terms for each game type before you play.
Is the house edge different in live games?
Not because a game is live. The house edge depends on the rules of the game, so a live table with the same rules as an RNG version has the same edge. Side bets and game shows often have a higher edge than the main bets.
What happens if my connection drops mid-game?
The round still finishes and is settled. Most games apply a set rule to any decision you miss, such as standing in blackjack. Check the game's help screen, and contact support if a result looks wrong.
Check the rules where you live. Whether online live casino games are legal, and which sites you can use, depends on local laws and each operator's own terms. This guide is general information only and isn't a recommendation. 18+ only. If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling page.