If you’ve ever been to a land-based casino, you’ll have seen the live dealer games. The concept has been replicated online, and I want to share the appeal, how to play them and some of the top games.
I’ve tested many live bet casino sites in the UK to find the best platforms to play these games. They all offer secure gambling hubs where you can enjoy the live action and claim bonuses. My top recommendations below include some of the UK’s finest casino sites.
100% bonus up to £100 & 50 free spins
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Why trust Simon Says
I’ve worked in the online betting industry for over two decades and play at many live-bet casino sites. I am passionate about sourcing the best casino platforms and games for UK players.
My mantra is transparency in everything I do so that you can rely on my casino reviews or guides. I remain impartial when delivering my findings and will always point out areas of concern if I encounter them.
The primary aim is to help new or existing players choose the best casinos and find new live casino games to enjoy.
My selection process
While most of my gaming experiences have been incredible, I have come across some dodgy casinos that I swerve now. Before I join or recommend a site, I check the following important factors:
- Licensing and security: The first check I will make is to confirm that the UK Gambling Commission has licensed the live bet casino. This regulator has some of the strictest requirements for operators: keeping their players safe. This means you can enjoy high-end security protocols that protect your shared sensitive data.
- Promotions: Another factor I assess is the bonuses available to new and existing players. While most bonuses cater to slot fans, many sites offer bonuses for live casino play. Before recommending them to you, I will check all the terms to ensure they are a good deal.
- Range of games: I will go through the games collection to see if it contains enough titles covering all categories of live dealer games, such as roulette, poker, baccarat, and blackjack. I will also look for live game shows like Crazy Time online, which have become players’ favourites.
- Customer support: If you ever need assistance, you’ll want to know you can contact the team. To confirm the service is responsive, I will always test it out and report back on the time frames and helpfulness of the agents. I prefer phone options, but at the very least, there should be a live chat box.
- Banking: We must first fund our casino accounts when we want to play. I will detail what payment methods you can use, the minimum deposits and withdrawals, if they impose any transaction fees and their timeframes for processing payouts.
- Mobile play: Like most players, I tend to play more on my mobile because it’s so convenient. To confirm that the mobile-friendly casino offers the same quality graphics and fast loading speeds, I will test a few of the live casino game titles.
Simon Says: “Not all UK casinos offer a live casino bonus. While some let you play your bonus funds on the live games, they typically only count as a small percentage. For example, while slots might count 100% towards wagering, the live dealer games may only count 10%. I suggest you read the terms before using bonus funds on live dealer games.”
What is a live casino?
A live casino online replicates the land-based experience. In my opinion, the best bet is that I don’t have to leave home to access the games. You will find all the popular games found on casino floors but in a virtual setting.
The studios that deliver these games have modern studios with HD video streaming. Manned by live dealers, they undergo extensive training to provide a premium gaming experience. Depending on the game played, they also dress for the occasion. I’ve even come across games where they have been dressed in bikinis.
More commonly, though, they are either suited and booted or if you are playing on one of the game shows, they will dress to fit the theme in colourful outfits. They also have friendly banter as they spin the wheel or roll the dice, and you can use the various in-game features to chat with them and other players.
A live bet casino has a layout similar to those in land settings. You will have chips, but they look the same but are virtual instead of real. I also love that they use felt to place my bets, making it feel like a real casino experience.
Top live casino games
A live bet casino offers a massive selection of gaming options. I’m showcasing some of the most popular ones below to help you decide which ones resonate best with you.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the top table games due to its simple rules and numerous betting options. There are several variations, including European, American and French. The French and European versions have 37 pockets, while the American has 38.
The extra pocket means the odds are more in the casino’s favour, so play on European or French versions. The dealer spins the giant wheel, and before they do, you can wager on a single number, combinations of numbers, odds/evens or red and black.
Baccarat
Dating back to the 14th century, I think it may be the oldest card game around. Its easy rules make it an ideal option for beginners and seasoned players.
There are three main wager options to hold a hand, totalling nine or one closest to it. You can bet on the banker, player or the tie winning plus a couple of side bets, but I don’t recommend them as the odds are not as great as the three main ones.
Blackjack
This is another easy-to-play card game and another firm casino favourite. The rules are easy to grasp to hit a hand of 21, known as a blackjack. If you bust, you lose the hand.
However, you will win if it is below 21 but beats the dealer. You can also stand, hit or split cards. Although you may play alongside other players, the game is about you beating the dealer.
Poker
Poker is another classic card game, but it requires some knowledge. The objective is to hold the best hand with five cards. If you have never played Poker, I recommend you get to grips with the hand values and when to fold or hold.
The best way to practice is to play some free online games. They won’t be alongside live dealers, but they allow you to practice and test various strategies before heading to a live casino setting.
Game shows
This category is relatively new at live bet casino sites, having launched in 2017 with Evolution Gamings Live Dream Catcher. They were an instant hit as they also offer some classic games like roulette or baccarat but with extra features and higher winning potential.
Some are based on TV series like Deal or No Deal Live. Many, though, consist of giant spinning wheels like Crazy Time online and Funky Time. With others, they take inspiration from top-played slot games like Sweet Bonanza Candyland.
Other choices
Besides the most popular live dealer games, you’ll also find other games, like Sic Bo, played with three dice or craps, where you bet on two dice. Other options include lottery-style games where you can bet on a set of numbers drawn out of the machine.
There’s also a dice game that involves one dice and betting on the outcome with high odds. Casino War is an easy-to-play card game based on the game of the same name where you must pit your hand against the dealer to win with the highest rank.
Simon Says: “One of the top tips I can give you when playing live games is to stick to a budget. I use the 1% rule and wager accordingly. If I have £100 in my account, I’ll bet £1 per round. This means I won’t bust on a few dud hands or wheel spins. Also, if I end up down on a session, I won’t have to deposit again to chase my losses, as it never ends well.”
Top live casino software developers
A few prominent developers power live casino games. My favourite is Evolution Gaming, the masterminds of the incredible game show titles. Below, I detail the top three and their unique selling points.
Evolution Gaming
This studio focuses only on live dealer games and the creators of Crazy Time Live, Monopoly Live, and Lightning Roulette. The quality and gameplay of their range of titles are incredible. It even hosts a training academy for its live dealers so they have all the top skills to man any of their tables.
Evolution has been trading since 2006 and has won numerous industry awards. Its studios are modern and elegant, and all the games are streamed in HD with multiple camera angles.
Pragmatic Play
This developer has been in the business since 2015, initially focusing on slot games and a few table game titles.
In 2019, it introduced classic live dealer titles like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette. It also developed a range of game shows, with some top titles in the catalogue, like Snakes and Ladders and Boom City. A testament to the high quality of its games, it also has quite a few noteworthy awards under its belt.
Playtech
While not as well known as the other two live providers I’ve discussed, it has been in the industry the longest. It’s been trading since 1999, initially only with slots, and it provides over 1,000 games worldwide. Its live games include classic roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and a few game show options.
Live casino games final thoughts
If you’ve never experienced the excitement of live casino games, I can confirm that they offer a lot of entertainment. I am a massive fan of live dealer games, and when assessing an established or a new casino for UK players, I always inspect the live dealer lobby, as it is as vital as the slot collection.
They offer an immersive experience directly from the comfort of your home, and you can play on many variations to keep it interesting and entertaining.
I love the hosts; they brighten my day with their lively banter and interesting outfits. If you choose to play at a live bet casino, always remember to stay within your financial means to keep your gambling safe and a continued source of fun.
I’ve included my top selection of live dealer casinos near the top of this page, which provide excellent live titles and offer responsible gambling measure tools.
Live casino FAQ
Can I play at a live bet casino for free?
No, unfortunately, you can’t. While you can play slots and random number generator table games for free, it’s not possible with live dealer games. You can load up a game, not place any bets, and watch the action if you’re new to see how it’s all run.
How can I know that the live dealer games are fair?
Firstly, by playing at a reliable live bet casino. The developers I mentioned, like Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play, have massive industry experience and awards and conduct fair operations. You can watch them shuffle the cards, throw the dice and spin the wheels with reliable and high-tech equipment for complete transparency in their games.
What is the best casino to play live casino games?
It’s down to personal preferences. I’ve included my favourites above, and while each hosts live dealer titles, they will differ in the banking options, bonuses available for live dealer play and other games available. You can read my more comprehensive casino reviews to help you decide.