Live Dealer Online Casinos
The best live dealer online casinos offer a range of high-quality blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps and poker-style games. They allow you to connect with a real dealer in a pristine studio, and you can interact with the dealer while the game unfolds. The idea is to replicate the experience at a brick-and-mortar casino, but online and live.
Best live dealer online casino apps
A variety of mobile casino apps offer live dealer games in a few US states. These are the leading options:
DraftKings Casino
The DraftKings online casino app offers an impressive selection of live dealer games. The options vary somewhat depending on which state you access the app from, but it is always pretty diverse, featuring some exclusive titles. Blackjack fans can play at a range of tables, with different minimum bet amounts. It offers variants such as Free Bet Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Lightning Blackjack, High Roller Blackjack and Speed Blackjack alongside classic blackjack.
There is a similarly broad range of roulette games, from classic single- and double-zero variants to Lightning Auto Roulette. Additional games include baccarat, craps, Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em, Dream Catcher, Football Studio and Lightning Dice.
DraftKings distinguishes itself from rival live dealer apps by running an in-house progressive jackpot network, which covers most of its live casino games. There are four jackpots — mini, minor, major and mega — and the top prize can hit six or seven figures.
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM Casino is the most popular online casino in America, with a market share of more than 25%, according to co-owners MGM Resorts International and Entain. It offers many of the same live casino games as DraftKings, although its in-house progressive jackpot network does not currently extend to live dealer titles.
As always, the range of games varies according to which state you are in, but there are often around a dozen or more options. Evolution has supplied it with some branded games too, such as BetMGM Infinite Blackjack.
BetMGM also has an ace up its sleeve. Alongside the standard live dealer games from Evolution, it also allows you to play roulette live from Borgata if you are in New Jersey, which broadens your options.
FanDuel Casino
FanDuel Casino offers the smoothest and most reliable casino app in the business. It has better average user ratings than most rival casino apps, which reflects the all-round quality of the user experience. FanDuel generally offers the same games as DraftKings and BetMGM, but it does not have progressive jackpots. Some of its games feature FanDuel branding, but they are still beamed directly from the Evolution Gaming studios.
New customers can claim a “play it again” bonus for up to $100. It allows you to play games for 24 hours, and any net losses you sustain during that period will qualify for a refund in the form of bonus credits. You can receive up to $100, and the credits will only have a 1x wagering requirement. FanDuel will also give you 200 bonus spins.
Caesars Palace Online Casino
Caesars Palace Casino app offers blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker-style games, craps, Dream Catcher and Football Studio. Some games are playable for as little as $0.10, while others go up to $20,000 per bet, so the app caters to most budgets.
High rollers can also quickly qualify for the VIP tiers of the Caesars Rewards program, which offers a range of perks. New customers will receive a 100% first deposit match bonus of up to $2,500, plus 2,500 Rewards Credits on $25 wager. Just use the Caesars Palace promo code ROCKY2500 to claim this two-part welcome bonus.
Bally Casino
The Bally Casino app features a user-friendly live dealer section. There are live blackjack and live roulette lobbies, which makes the browsing process simple. Additional games include baccarat, craps, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and game shows.
This app also features the best sign-up bonus on the market. You can use the Bally Casino bonus code (Coming Soon!) to claim a $50 no deposit bonus. It does not have any restrictions on which games you can play. Then, if you make a deposit, you can claim a 100% cash refund of up to $100 — with no playthrough requirement — for any net losses after your first week of play.
Other live casino apps
There are lots of other options at your disposal when seeking a casino app that offers live dealer games. Hard Rock Bet and Virgin Casino both provide attractive no deposit bonuses. Unibet is another option, as it offers a couple of recurring live dealer bonuses to all customers on a weekly basis. Finally, bet365 is worth checking out if you are in New Jersey, as it sources games from Playtech rather than Evolution Gaming, so it offers different titles from DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars Palace and Bally.
What are live dealer casinos?
Live online casino games provide you with the opportunity to play blackjack or roulette with real players and a real dealer. Similar to your local casino experience.
Live casino games connect you with a dealer based inside a dedicated studio or perhaps at a land-based casino. You can click or tap the screen to lay down your chips and then watch as the host deals the cards or spins the roulette wheel. This is designed to provide a more authentic and immersive experience than regular casino games.
It is also more sociable, as you can interact with the dealer and your fellow players via a live chat function while the action unfolds. Just head to the “Live Dealer” or “Live Casino” section of any casino app to see which games are available. This will differ from state to state, but it generally includes blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker-style games, craps and game shows such as Dream Catcher and Football Studio.
How to play live dealer casino games
It is pretty simple to play live dealer casino games. Follow these steps to get started today:
- Select one of our recommended online casinos from the list above and hit the “play now” link to visit the site and claim the sign-up bonus.
- Open the registration form and fill in your personal and contact details. Select a password and agree to the site’s terms of use. Submit the form.
- The casino will then try to verify your age, identity and address. If the site cannot do so automatically, scan your driver’s license or similar documentation.
- When your account is approved, you will receive a no deposit bonus if one is available. You can head to the online cashier to make your initial deposit.
- Click on the “Live Dealer” or “Live Casino” option, which will appear prominently on the main menu when you land on the homepage. You will see a grid, which highlights the available live dealer games. Click on one of them, and you will see the rules and payouts.
- Enter the game. When a new round is due to begin, you can click or tap the screen to lay your chips down on your chosen betting options. The live dealer will acknowledge your bets and spin the wheel, deal cards or roll the dice, depending on the game.
- You can use the live chat option to interact with fellow participants and the dealer. If you win, the funds will appear in your balance, which will appear on the screen. You can play for as long as you like, and you can exit the game at any time.
Legal states with live dealer casinos
Only six states have legalized real money online casinos. Of those, Delaware permits online casino gambling, but there are no live dealer studios providing games in the state right now. These are the five states in which you can play live dealer games:
Live casinos in Connecticut
Evolution Gaming opened a live online casino studio in Connecticut on July 11, 2022. It supplies the two online casino platforms in the state: DraftKings and FanDuel, which operates under the Mohegan Sun name for its online casino in Connecticut.
Both sites offer branded blackjack, roulette and baccarat games. In addition to the classic variants, you can play Power Blackjack, Speed Blackjack and Lightning Roulette. It also offers two live dealer poker games — Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker — but craps and game shows are not available.
Live casinos in Michigan
Michigan offers a variety of live casino options. Evolution Gaming launched a live dealer studio in Detroit in July 2021. It initially offered blackjack, baccarat and roulette, including auto roulette. The offering has expanded since then, and Evolution now supplies Michigan online casinos with craps and a couple of casino poker variants.
Playtech, a rival to Evolution, opened a studio in Southfield, Michigan, in December 2021. It supplies online casinos such as Play Gun Lake with roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Variants include Mega Fire Blaze Roulette, Quantum Roulette and Cashback Blackjack. Playtech also offers a live dealer version of one of its most popular slots, Buffalo Blitz, in Michigan.
Live casinos in New Jersey
New Jersey became the first state with a live casino online when Evolution Gaming opened a studio there in 2018. It added a second New Jersey studio in November 2022, which significantly increased its capacity in the state.
Evolution now provides a range of live casino games to clients such as BetMGM, DraftKings and FanDuel in New Jersey, including American and European roulette, baccarat, blackjack, craps, Three Card Poker, Dream Catcher, Football Studio and Lightning Dice.
Playtech expanded into New Jersey with a live dealer studio in December 2021 after reaching a deal to supply bet365. It offers a few roulette games, including Quantum Roulette, along with blackjack and a game show called Adventures Beyond Wonderland.
Live casinos in Pennsylvania
Most online casinos in PA offer a live dealer casino. Evolution Gaming opened a Pennsylvania studio in November 2020. The Stockholm-listed live dealer specialist began supplying casinos like Caesars with games such as roulette and blackjack that month.
Evolution remains the only supplier in the Keystone State, but it has bolstered its library over the past few years. You can now play live blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, Infinite Free Bet Blackjack, baccarat, craps, American roulette, VIP European Roulette, Lightning Roulette, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker and the Football Studio game show.
West Virginia
Most states only allow online casinos to host live dealer games from studios based within that state. However, in June 2022, Evolution Gaming announced that it would begin supplying West Virginia online casinos with games streamed live from its studio in Pennsylvania.
Available live dealer games at online casinos in the state include several blackjack and roulette variants, plus a couple of poker-style games, craps, baccarat and Football Studio.
Live dealer casino vs. regular casino games
Regular casino games are powered by random number generators. They produce an array of long-chain numbers each second, and the number created at the precise time you hit the bet button dictates the result. The RNG tools running the games at legal online casinos routinely receive testing at independent, authorized labs to ensure fairness and accuracy, so they provide the same payout rates as real table games.
However, RNG-powered games can be a little impersonal. That inspired companies such as Evolution Gaming and Playtech to build live dealer studios, connecting players with real dealers in a live online casino environment. The advent of these games removes the need for RNG software, as you can watch the wheels being spun, the cards being dealt and the dice being thrown in real time. However, they are just as tightly regulated, and everything is tested to ensure a fair gambling environment.
These are the main pros and cons of both categories:
| Regular casino games | Live online casino |
|---|---|
| You can play virtual table games at your own pace, without waiting for the other players to make their moves or the dealer to initiate the next round. | You can chat with the dealer and other players while the game unfolds, which makes the experience more communal and sociable. |
| The range of virtual table games at legal online casinos in the US will typically be substantially larger than the selection of live dealer games, offering you greater choice. | Live casino games offer a more authentic experience than their virtual counterparts, providing a closer replication of the experience available at a land-based casino. |
| Some players may find live dealers irritating, so they prefer to play RNG-powered table games. | The live dealers are professional, bubbly and engaging, aiming to create a welcoming and interactive atmosphere. |
| The connection does not necessarily need to be as strong when playing virtual table games, and you do not need to worry as much about lag and glitches. | You will need a reasonably strong internet connection to play live dealer games. |
| You can often play virtual table games when working on the playthrough requirements to unlock bonus credits. | Bonuses often exclude live dealer games. |
| The top online casinos allow you to play virtual table games for fun in demo mode while you learn how they work, and you can then switch to real money play. | You cannot play live dealer games in demo mode with virtual credits. |
| No real etiquette is required when playing virtual table games, as everything is automated and no interaction takes place. | You do not need to get dressed up to play live dealer games, but a degree of etiquette is required when interacting with the dealer and fellow players. |
Available games
Live dealer casinos generally offer the same table games you would find at a land-based casino in a city like Las Vegas, Reno or Atlantic City. However, they may offer additional games that take inspiration from TV game shows. These are the main categories you will encounter at the top live dealer casino sites and apps:
Blackjack
Blackjack is the most widely available game at live dealer casinos. It offers a high return-to-player rate, an accessible format and fast-paced action. You will often find pretty broad betting limits when you play live dealer blackjack at online casinos like DraftKings and BetMGM.
They offer classic blackjack, but you can also play additional variants. Examples include Infinite Blackjack, which ensures you will always get a seat, along with a faster-paced option called Speed Blackjack. Lightning Blackjack from Evolution Gaming also offers various multipliers if certain cards are dealt, which some players may enjoy.
Baccarat
Baccarat is a simple, elegant table game popularized by James Bond and Frank Sinatra. You can play virtual and live dealer baccarat at all the top casino apps in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Connecticut.
Options include classic baccarat, which is based on the ubiquitous punto banco variant created in Argentina in the 1950s. You may also find Lightning Baccarat, which provides payout multiples if certain cards appear, and Speed Baccarat.
Roulette
Roulette is one of the most important games for any live casino. Unfortunately, you generally won’t find French roulette, which has the highest RTP rate, but you will typically find European roulette (single zero) and American roulette (double zero). It is best to choose European roulette, as it has a better RTP percentage than the double-zero variant.
There will also be games like Lightning Roulette and Mega Fire Blaze Roulette, which offer the potential for boosted payouts. Many game shows are based on roulette, too, such as Dream Catcher.
Poker-style games
These games draw inspiration from poker tournaments and cash games. However, in these variants, you go up against the house rather than fellow players. The most common poker games at live casinos are Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em has an RTP of 97.82% for the main game and 99.47% for the total bet. It follows a similar approach as Texas Hold’em, with the ability to check or raise before additional cards are dealt. Three Card Poker has a lower RTP rate of 96.63%, so you may find that Ultimate Texas Hold’em is a better option.
Evolution Gaming has also launched a live video poker game in several states. This game covers many popular video poker variants, including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Bonus Poker, and Double Double Bonus. You can choose your preferred paytable and play up to 100 hands at once.
Craps and dice games
Live dealer craps is available in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. You can also play First Person Craps, an RNG-powered title from Evolution Gaming. At any point, click “GO LIVE” to be transported to the live dealer version. When you play live dealer craps, a robotic arm will take on the role of the shooter.
There are sometimes additional dice games to consider. You may, for instance, see Lightning Dice, which is a game show-style title from Evolution. Sic bo may be available at some point in the future, as Evolution offers it on a global basis.
Game shows
Some live dealer games are similar to TV game shows, run by a host. The most commonly available game shows at online casinos in the United States right now are Dream Catcher and Football Studio. The former is a simple version of roulette, with lots of multipliers, while the latter is a football-themed card game.
Playtech also offers Buffalo Blitz Live and Adventures Beyond Wonderland in some states. We expect to see more game shows at US online casinos in the future. Suppliers such as Evolution and Playtech offer a large variety of titles in other markets, including Crazy Time, Funky Time, Extra Chilli Epic Spins, Monopoly Big Baller, The Money Drop, Spin a Win and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. As studio capacity expands, some of these games could become available in states like New Jersey and Michigan.
Live casino software providers
There are currently just two providers of live dealer online casino games in the United States. Evolution Gaming, a Stockholm-listed company, has studios covering Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is the world’s leading live dealer specialist, with a lot of experience in running live casino studios. The company also owns Ezugi, another live dealer provider, along with software providers such as NetEnt, Red Tiger and Big Time Gaming.
Playtech, the world’s largest online gambling software supplier, has studios in Michigan and New Jersey. The London-listed company is an all-rounder, supplying slots, table games, scratch games, sports betting, bingo and more, but it has a strong live dealer portfolio. Many of its games are similar to Evolution’s — Ultimate Blackjack instead of Infinite Blackjack, Mega Fire Blaze Roulette instead of Lightning Roulette and so on — but it also supplies VIP games, unique game shows and other quality titles.
The other big supplier of live dealer online casino games on a global basis is Pragmatic Play. It has not launched in the United States, but it may do so in the future. Such a move would bring added competition to the market, and it would offer access to games like Mega Wheel, Dragon Tiger, Mega Sic Bo, Sweet Bonanza Candyland and PowerUp Roulette.
Things to look for when choosing a live dealer casino
You can choose from a wide range of online casinos that offer live dealer games in states such as Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you would like to narrow down your options, consider these criteria:
- Game variety: Consider how many live dealer games an online casino offers. It is also helpful to focus on your preferred games. For example, one app may be best for blackjack, whereas a rival app may have a superior selection of roulette games. You can also look for exclusive games, but remember that many of them are simply Evolution games with a casino’s branding tacked on.
- Bet limits: The bet limits will also vary from one online casino to the next. Consider your budget and find a casino offering limits that work for you. You can generally click on the information logo to see the minimum and maximum bet for each game.
- Reliability: The general reliability of an online casino is important, particularly if you mainly play via the app. DraftKings and FanDuel stand out by offering reliable, highly rated apps.
- Casino Bonuses: You can also delve into the bonuses that online casinos offer. Do they allow you to play live dealer games when working on the wagering requirements to unlock the bonus credits? If so, what are the contribution rates? Are any games excluded, such as craps? This can help you gauge which casinos provide the best value for live dealer fans. Focus on the welcome bonus, the recurring promos and the rewards program.
FAQ
Live dealer casinos are websites or apps that allow you to play casino table games like blackjack and baccarat with a real dealer. You will connect with the dealer, who will be based at a studio or a brick-and-mortar casino, courtesy of a video link, and you can interact while you play.
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker-style games are the most commonly available live casino games. You can often play craps and other dice games, too, along with game shows such as Dream Catcher and Football Studio. Just head to the live dealer section of any online casino to check which games are available.
Live dealer games are not rigged if you play at licensed, legal online casinos in the United States. Those games are tightly regulated, and the equipment is tested by independent examiners to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Sign up at a casino that holds a license from the official gambling regulator in your state to ensure a legitimate online gambling experience. The regulators are the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Michigan Gaming Control Board, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and West Virginia Lottery. Look for the logo of the relevant regulator before signing up.
If you lose connection, the live dealer game will proceed in real time. Any bets you placed will be settled accordingly, and any winnings you may have earned will be waiting for you when you log back in. If you had not laid any chips down, just rejoin the game when you reconnect.