Key Points
Live dealer online casinos revolutionized online gaming in the US by making it possible to bring the real casino experience into people's homes.
No bots. No Random Number Generators (RNG). Players get to interact with real, human dealers in real-time, bringing an extra level of excitement and realism to the gaming experience.
Live dealer casinos put a personal touch on the game in ways that other online casinos can't. They make players feel more connected compared to other online betting avenues.
Live dealer games are built using sophisticated technology so there are no lags between somebody putting chips on a blackjack table and the dealer being able to see it. Non-verbal cues such as a physical card shuffle or watching the roulette spin can be seen via a real person - providing a much needed sense of confidence and security.
Online live dealer casinos must always ensure their gaming operations are fair and transparent in order to provide customers with a safe online gambling experience.
It is important for users of US live dealer casinos to familiarize themselves with these laws so they can make informed decisions about where to play legally and safely.
Live dealer casinos allow players to play games with a real-life opponent or dealer. Gamers get to interact with a live dealer whose actions are streamed directly to their computer or mobile device in real time.
This is different from online casino games, where the gamers play against the casino software. US online casinos often have a section for live dealer games, including real money casino games such as real money online poker, online blackjack, and real money online baccarat.
Live dealer casino games open up a new level of gaming opportunities for online players in the US
In recent years, online dealer casinos have become mainstream since they mimic a real-life gambling experience. Online casino players no longer feel alone since they can also interact with other players and dealers. Thanks to a live chat feature, you can chat with the dealer in real time.
Online casinos are like real-life casinos: you sit at a table while an on-screen dealer deals and conducts the game. Beyond this simple explanation, live dealer casinos are possible via camera using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology.
This technology makes it easy for the live dealer studio to send information to the players in real time. It records the dealer's hand and body movements and translates cards, symbols, and numbers. This technology is also used to figure out who won or lost a live dealer game.
Most importantly, the software developer is responsible for streaming live games to casino audiences. Software developers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming maintain live studios around the world. To offer live dealer games, U.S. live dealer casinos may rent out these studios and customize them to their preferences.
You can legally play lcensed live games in multiple states, including Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia.
Casino operators must obtain licenses from software providers to use their live studios. However, not all US live casinos rent live studios from software providers. For example, FanDuel has a dedicated studio where it films all live gaming sessions.
That said, you must meet the legal age to play live dealer games in licensed casinos.
Here are the US states where you can play live dealer games and the available live options.
US States | Licensed live dealer casinos |
Connecticut | Mohegan Sun Casino |
Delaware | 888 Poker |
Michigan | DraftKings Casino MI |
New Jersey | Borgata Casino
BetMGM BetFair Casino Golden Nuggets Casino Unibet Casino Play SugarHouse Mohegan Sun Casino DraftKings Online Casino |
Pennsylvania | BetMGM Casino PA |
West Virginia | BetRivers Casino
DraftKings Casino |
Yes. The US is home to many legit or licensed live dealer casinos. However, these casinos are only accessible in states where online gambling is legalized. Since only six states have successfully approved online gambling (as of 2023), most residents are unable to access these legit live dealer casinos.
To solve this, some casino players may opt for unlicensed live dealer casinos. However, not all unlicensed casinos invest in high-quality security software. In addition, you have no legal backing in the case of a dispute with these operators.
Never input your important financial data on these sites.
Avoid saving your main credit card details or bank account on unlicensed sites. The best option is to use an e-wallet or prepaid card containing the exact amount you want to deposit. Never use a card directly linked to your bank account.
Use a VPN
Invest in a premium VPN service when using unlicensed live dealer casinos. This will help shield your identity and location from hackers.
Ensure the Live Dealer Casino is Licensed with an International Regulatory Body.
Most countries have a gambling regulatory agency. So, ensure your preferred live dealer casino is licensed to operate in the country where it was established.
U.S live dealer casinos offer these live dealer games under these categories:
Live dealer blackjack games are similar to the online or offline versions. You get the same house edge, betting options, and odds in this version too. Keep in mind that some casinos offer more variations of live blackjack than others. For example, Bovada features over three variants of live dealer blackjack, including single-hand and multi-hand.
For most players, the live version creates an immersive experience.
Software developers like Evolutions Gaming, Playtech, and Ezugi produce most real money live dealer blackjack games for live dealer casinos in the US.
The live version of baccarat follows the same rules and components as the retail version. Players have the choice to wager on a tie, player, or banker. Furthermore, the player wins when the card value of the preferred option is closer to nine.
Beyond these rules, real money live baccarat players get to enjoy a real-time conversation with other players via a live FBT feature. In addition, most games allow low entry fees. For example, Draftkings players can wager as low as 10 cents on live baccarat games.
Evolution Gaming and Lucky Stream are some of the software developers for live baccarat in live casinos.
Live roulette games are also available at most US online casinos. Some casinos offer more than one variant of roulette. You will often find American roulette and European live roulette games on these sites.
To play real money live roulette, you have to sign up for an account and pay the minimum entry fee. Next, search for a roulette table/game with available seats.
Live real money poker games are a favorite option for most casino players. However, only a few US casinos offer live poker games. Most times, casinos are unable to include it due to the regulations in some states. This means players may opt for offshore casinos to access these games.
Still, some states like Nevada and Delaware let people play live poker games for real money.
For this reason, you will find more live poker rooms at casino sites like 888 Poker and WSOP.com. Here are some of the popular variations of live dealer poker games:
Ezugi, Playtech, and Evolution Gaming are some of the top software providers of live poker games in the US.
Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, and PlayTech provide most of these games to gaming casinos. So, expect a high-quality HD display and a real-time chat function.
To play live poker for real money, you must first register with an online casino. Next, select your preferred poker variant and check the table limit. Keep in mind that poker games have different RTPs.
The higher the RTP, the higher your potential to win.
First, you must have a stable internet connection. Live dealer games require a broadband or cable connection faster than 25 mbps. Also, you must be over the legal age to play for real money in live dealer casinos. What's more? Learn the rules before jumping on a live dealer game. In most cases, you'll be playing against experts.
Live casinos are a popular option for casino players due to these reasons.
Live casinos give you all the benefits of a real-life gambling environment without the hassles. You no longer have to drive for long hours and dress up to play your favorite casino games. In addition, there's no need to expose your identity anymore. Playing a live casino game is as easy as signing up on your smartphone or computer.
It's no news that retail casinos are understaffed on busy days, especially during weekends. This means the average casino player will be unable to get adequate attention from the casino's staff. Thankfully, this isn't the case with live casinos. Most US live dealer casinos provide 24/7 customer support to attend to your needs.
Most live dealer casinos in the US offer a live chat feature. This enables you to ask questions and get fast replies during a gaming session. Some casino enable player-to-player communication
Live dealer casino games aren't just for high rollers or VIPs. Some US live dealer casinos allow entry fees or wagers as low as 10 cents. This is different from retail casinos, where you need to deposit huge sums before participating in a table game.
Here are the top software providers of live dealer games in the US.
Evolutions Gaming is one of the first software providers for live dealer casinos. Also, it has the widest selection of live casino games like blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and poker. As of January 2023, the casino owns and operates more than 700 live studio environments in 15 different languages.
So far, this provider has partnered with a lot of big-name casinos, such as DraftKings, Unibet, and 888 Casino.
Playtech is one of the best and latest live dealer software providers in the US. It launched live studios in Michigan and New Jersey in 2021. In addition, it formed a multi-state partnership with 888 Holdings in the same year. This means you will only find Playtech's live dealer casino games in 888-affiliated casinos.
BetMGM, Borgata, and Caesars Casino are examples of the best live dealer casinos using this software. Thanks to this partnership, live casinos can opt to customize their live dealer tables. Also, they get to offer popular live game titles and bonuses.
Extreme Live Gaming is a major software provider for live casinos in Asia, South America, and Africa. It is licensed under the Malta Gambling Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Furthermore, it offers customizable backgrounds and promotions for all its featured live games.
Established in 1994, Microgaming was one of the first software providers for online casino games. It is also responsible for popular casino game titles like Wanted Dead or Alive, Book of Oz, and Links to Ra. More so, Microgaming is also a favorite for its Playboy suite of live dealer games. This suite consists of live games hosted by dealers dressed in bunny outfits.
US casinos using Microgaming live dealer software are: FanDuel, Play Star, Unibet, 888 Casino, Party Casino, and BetMGM.
Realtime Gaming has a reputation for releasing new casino game titles. So far, there are hundreds of online casino games, including live dealer games, in its catalog. Realtime Gaming also features exclusive bonuses and jackpots for most featured games.
Live dealer casinos using Realtime Gaming software are: Bovada, Slot.lv, Ignition Casino, Slot Ninja, and Cherry Jackpot.
US live dealer casinos prefer NetEnt for its HD-quality video streaming service and the use of green screen technology. The green screen reduces the cost of customizing casino tables, and it is easy to change. More so, it enables players to mute or control the background music, the dealer's voice, and casino sounds. There are also features for checking the game history and paytable.
Authentic Gaming is unique for its live dealer game thumbnails. Players can view real-time streaming of the live studio without clicking on the game. The software provider also streams videos from real-life casinos. No doubt, these features increase the gambling experience.
VIVO Gaming is one of the latest software providers for live casinos in Asia and parts of Europe. It offers a unique Dynamic Chroma Display feature. Through this feature, live casinos can customize the live studio background to their preferred animation, color, and logo. As of January 2023, VIVO Gaming has eight live studios all over the world.
This is a favorite for most live dealer casinos established in Asia. The software provider uses top celebrities for most live dealer gaming sessions. In addition, it enables casinos to customize the table and backgrounds. Asia Gaming also provides promotional materials and bonuses to boost players' participation.
You need a high-speed internet connection to access and play live casino games. More so, ensure the upload and download speeds are 1 Mbps and 4 Mbps, respectively. For Wi-Fi users, connect to servers close to your location to reduce the latency.
Note: A broadband Internet connection is best for live dealer games. It has a low latency and an internet speed of up to 52 Mbps.
No. There are no free or demo versions of live casino games in most casinos. Unlike online casino games, it costs a lot of resources to maintain live studios for live games. So, you must wager real money to access these games. Thankfully, some casinos allow extremely low wagers for some live games. Players can also take advantage of no-deposit or sign-up bonuses to play these games.
It's quite difficult to select a live dealer casino game. To help you narrow down your choices, follow these steps:
Top software providers like Ezugi and Evolution Gaming maintain world-class studios for live gaming sessions. These studios come with all the bells and whistles, from multi-language options to live chats. In addition, there are no lags or poor camera quality when playing games from these software providers.
Casino players can earn huge payouts by playing games with high RTPs. Games with high RTPs come with better rewards and competitive odds. Also, the house edge is lower. So, always select live games with RTPs higher than 95 percent. Most live casino games provide information on the RTP percentage.
This step is for players on a tight budget. To check the minimum bet, hover the mouse over the game's thumbnail.
Yes. US live casino players can access live dealer games on mobile devices. Always check if your preferred online casino also features a live gaming section for mobile devices.
Yes. The US is home to numerous live dealer casinos, most of which are often part of a larger online gambling service. Since the legalization of online gambling, many state-licensed operators have added live dealer casino games to their sites.
Although U.S. residents can also play live dealer casino games on unlicensed platforms, this comes with risks. Gamers who gamble for real money at unlicensed live casinos risk exposing their personal and financial data.
Some of the popular licensed live dealer casinos in the US include.
FanDuel's live dealer casino is popular for its exclusive promotions and top-quality live dealer games. It partners with Evolutions Gaming to offer a wide range of real money live games.
Golden Nuggets launched its live dealer casino section in Michigan and New Jersey. As of January, 2023, there were over 12 live dealer casino games on this site. Even though the casino has a small selection, it has all of the most popular real money live table games.
Some games are available around the clock. The $1 minimum entry fee and high RTPs are also another perk for live dealer players on this site. For example, Live Dealer - Automatic Roulette has a 97.65% RTP and allows bets as low as $1.
Dream Catcher and Ultimate Texas Hold'em are some of the interesting live dealer titles on this site. Also, it features a live dealer craps game, which is quite rare in most US live dealer casinos. To access these games, create an account and deposit the minimum amount. The casino offers deposit bonuses and daily promotions to boost your payout. For example, the top five players with the highest score are eligible to share a $500 daily leaderboard reward.
The WSOP online casino has the best selection of poker games. However, it is only available to U.S. players in Nevada and New Jersey. Players from these states have the opportunity to play in local and international poker rooms on this site.
There are also tournament poker rooms where you can win huge prizes and perks. For example, players who are eligible can now sign up for the WSOP Europe and International Circuit tournaments for 2022–2023. WSOP also features some of the best live dealer perks, from a $1,000 deposit bonus to seven $100 freerolls.
DraftKings casinos are more like an all-you-can-eat buffet for live casino players. For instance, the casino’s players can access live games with deposits between $0.10 and $500. Besides the flexible deposit option, all the tables are accessible 24/7. Players can also choose a multi-player live dealer table or the single-player option. The single-player is more exclusive and is reserved for high-rollers.
BetRivers’ live gaming section is powered by Evolutions Gaming, one of the top software providers. It offers high-quality live games in many of the top real money table casino categories. There are over ten online live dealer games, including popular options like Infiniti Blackjack.
Live Blackjack games are the main attraction for live casino players on this site. Hollywood Casino features over six live blackjack variants, including single-handed options. Lightning Roulette and Dead or Alive are also additional options to explore. To access these games, create or login to an account. Then, type "live" into the search option to find all live dealer games. Also, watch out for the casino's exclusive perks for wagering on live dealer games.
Bovada is one of the top offshore live dealer casinos. It features a wide selection of live dealer games and betting options. In addition, it allows a minimum bet of $5 for most live dealer games. High-rollers can also deposit huge amounts on these games. Bovada, like most US live casinos, offers a wide range of table casino games. The selection includes favorites like roulette and blackjack.
Slot.lv is more than a destination for online slot games; it has an extensive catalog of live dealer casino games. It is especially well-known for its back betting option. This option enables players to wager on other players’ performances in a live gaming session. Furthermore, it increases the potential number of participants in live dealer games.