Live Casinos

How Do Live Casinos Operate and Are They Safe?

Live casinos are perfectly safe. They are usually incorporated into online casinos, so you can easily play RNG and live casino games at the click of a button. The best live casinos have legit licences from leading authorities so players shouldn't worry about the licencing or their safety at all. They can easily play games from the comfort of their own home on any device, including desktop PCs and mobile devices.

As for the way they operate, they're fairly complex compared to online casinos. Live casinos consist of several tech components that create an immersive atmosphere. These include high-speed digital cameras, a game control unit, and live casino software that pieces everything together. The live tables are not virtual, like in RNG table games. Instead, the action is streamed from either studios or real casinos to your device in real time, offering a truly amazing experience. Here's an overview of all the tech pieces that make a live online casino so unique:

• Game Control Unit: The GCU or game control unit, is a fancy name for the scanners and sensors that encode the game data and deliver it to the players. The live casino software processes this data and projects it to the UI for the player to see. It also processes the results of each game round and outcome automatically, so you can get swift confirmation if you won or lost.


• OCR: OCR stands for optical camera recognition. It represents the piece of technology for the video stream that's transformed into feasible data and made available to players via a short link. The data is stored safely on the website and seeds from the video archive in real time.


• Live Casino Software: The live dealer software processes it altogether. It streams the live games, processes all information securely and ensures that all the results are fair, thanks to the RNG technology. It controls the stream too, as well as everything else you need to enjoy the best possible live casino betting experience.

All these tech pieces combine to offer an immersive experience that many have compared to land-based gambling. Even the best online casinos could never replicate the atmosphere. However, thanks to live casinos, you can now play live poker or roulette games in real time, just like you do in Las Vegas, Monte Carlo or any other exciting casino capital around the world.

Best Live Casinos by Category

Looking for the best live casinos for bonuses, unique games, or max rewards? We've got your back. Each live casino is different, offering other games and a different first deposit bonus than the others. To make things easier for you and simply let you play live casino games instead, we've categorised the best ones on the market right now. Choose the best live casino for American Roulette or the best live card poker casino site instead by taking a look at the table. Make your pick easily and enjoy the best live casino games the market has to offer.

Payment Options at Live Casinos

Live games can only be played for real money. This means that you must register at a casino site before you're able to play live casino games. Funding your account is not hard at all. Live casinos have streamlined the deposit process so you can fund your account with ease with a variety of options.

You can use bank transfers, cards, e-wallets, and other options to add funds to your account. This is usually done instantly and without fees. It depends from casino to casino, but in general, there are no deposit fees at most online live casino sites. Deposits are also instant, so if there are any delays, you may be looking at a scam casino. The good news is that you can play live roulette, live blackjack, or any game show quickly with safe and secure deposits using the trusted payment methods listed below.

• Bank transfers: If you're looking for the safest payment method to use at live casino sites, there's no question; it's bank transfers. While it's the slowest payment method when it comes to withdrawals, the digitalization of bank transfers has led to instant deposits with almost no fees. Not all banks will accept casino deposits, but the majority are not against deposits at online live casino sites. Security is what separates bank transfers from all the other options. Banks are notoriously strict about security features, so you can rest assured you'll get the safest possible experience if you use bank transfers to fund your account at live casinos.


• Debit cards: Debit cards are sort of an extension to bank transfers, bypassing them for use at any online gaming establishment. Even if your bank account doesn't accept casino transfers, you can use your trusty VISA to fund your account. Compared to bank transfers, debit card deposits are just as safe and secure and much easier to use.


• E-wallets: If you don't like to use your bank account or cards for online gambling, you can make live casino deposits and play for cash prizes with e-wallets. Their biggest advantage is that they were built for online gaming sites. You can fund options such as Neteller, PayPal, or Skrill with your bank account or cards or with another e-wallet as well.


• Prepaid vouchers: Prepaid vouchers are getting increasingly popular at live casino sites. You can buy these vouchers digitally or in many stores with various amounts pre-loaded on them. While they're limited in size (usually up to €100 per card), you can buy several and redeem the codes to make higher deposits.


• Mobile payment methods: Live casinos have become a breeding ground for mobile payment methods. Like prepaid vouchers, they are deposit only. Still, they're the perfect option for new players as the deposits are fee-free, instant, and limited too. Plus, you get to play now and pay later, as the deposit is charged on your next mobile phone bill. Not all providers allow this option, and it's not available at most casino sites. But you'll find them at the best live casino sites, allowing you to play roulette, blackjack, live Caribbean Stud, or any of your favourite games without spending an extra deposit cent.

Trusted Live Casinos You Can Play

Below, you can take a look at our selection of the top live casino sites with proper licences. They provide numerous live casino games, great offers, and many attractive features. Simply browse the list and make a pick, then enjoy the best live casino experience!

Live Casino Bonus Offers

When talking about live casinos, we can't fail to mention live casino bonuses. Although rare, the best live casino sites on our pages have at least a single bonus for live games. These offers might include welcome bonuses, deposit and no deposit offers, cashbacks and reloads, and loyalty rewards. No live casino bonus is ever free money, but you can still benefit from extra cash for your favorite live dealers games.

Below we'll cover the most popular live casino bonuses you'll find at the top sites on our pages.

• Welcome Bonus: The welcome bonus is likely the most common type of live casino bonus you'll come across. As the name suggests, it's an offer you get on sign up, which typically comes in the form of a deposit bonus. To put things into perspective, you might get a 100% first deposit bonus boost with the extra funds available on live casino games. Of course, you will need to wager these funds in order to claim your winnings, which is why you need to read the terms. In most cases, you can expect a live dealer bonus on your first deposit. Those bigger offers spread across several of your initial deposits are usually rare.
• Deposit Bonus: As a regular player at the top live casino sites, you'll find numerous deposit boosts. These are available to returning customers. They work in much the same way as a welcome offer, doubling your deposit or more on selected days or randomly as a reward for your continued loyalty. This type of bonus usually comes with strict terms. Make sure to spot the maximum bet you can use while wagering, the possible max win, and the wagering requirements before you claim it.
• No Deposit Bonus: No deposit bonuses are usually available on slot games, so you'll find them extremely rare at live casino sites. However, they're often considered the best live casino bonus as you get something for nothing. Nothing in this case means no deposit on your side. Top-rated live casino websites will offer a small no deposit bonus as a way of trying them out. It might be, for example, $10 on a specific live blackjack game or one of the game shows. Either way, you need to read the terms, as no bonus is free money, and that's the case with no deposit live casino bonuses too.
• Cashback Bonuses: Cashbacks allow you to earn a small percentage of your losses back at live casino sites. They are available to returning customers and are usually offered on a periodic basis (weeks, months, etc.). The percentage usually isn't large - something like up to 5% for regular players. But you might get larger cashbacks in the VIP club, which isn't hard to reach if you play live casino games regularly.
• Reloads: Reloads are similar to deposit bonuses, except they fill up your account on a more regular basis. For example, there might be weekly reloads for players who deposit a certain amount. These bonuses typically cover up to 50% of your deposit, although it's up to a live casino to determine the rate.
• Loyalty Rewards: As a regular live casino games player, you will get a chance to enter a casino's VIP club. These clubs are reserved for elite customers. They usually come with several tiers or levels that you can jump across by playing and depositing more frequently. In return, you can expect exclusive events and rewards in addition to perks that include a personal account manager, higher withdrawal limits, and faster withdrawals. It's everything live casino fans dream of.

Casino Games Available at Live Casinos

Live casino sites are not as packed with games as online casinos and their slots. The number of live casino games is still on the rise since they are more expensive and challenging to develop. Most of these games are based on classic table games. But the live casino industry is growing each year, adapting slots and game shows for a more entertaining experience.

As a result, you have numerous live casino titles to pick from. They're much more exciting as they're played in real time compared to the RNG experience, where you'll be testing your skills against a computer. Playing live dealer games has more in common with playing at a local casino, offering the sights and sounds of land-based establishments while allowing you to play from the comfort of your own home or on the go.

• Live Blackjack: Live blackjack games are a perfect execution of the game of 21 formula. It's simply better and more entertaining to play these games in live variants, testing your skills against a human dealer. Developers have adapted an impressive range of live blackjack games, including classic and exotic titles. Better yet, they've also introduced new side bets and features such as multipliers, which take the action up a notch. If you want to try something truly different, we suggest taking a look at variants such as Lightning Blackjack for big wins or Speed Blackjack for much faster gameplay.


• Live Roulette Games: Live roulette is the prototypical live dealer game. It's the first one studios adapted and offers a wheel spin experience that'll make you feel like you're in Las Vegas or Monte Carlo. Seeing the ball spin in real time is fantastic, and the numerous cameras - some of them in slow motion - elevate the experience up a notch. It's a much more immersive and fun experience compared to playing RNG roulette games. On top of that, highly rated studios such as Evolution Gaming have revolutionised the game in titles such as Lightning Roulette with electrifying multipliers that can boost your wins by up to 500 times.


• Live Baccarat: Just like live roulette and live blackjack, live baccarat comes in numerous exciting variants at the top live casino sites. Many of them are imbued with new features and side bets. It's also a much more immersive experience, with many allowing you to squeeze a card just like in a land-based casino. With a click of a button, of course. Nevertheless, it's much better to play live baccarat than RNG games in an online casino, taking the action up a notch.


• Live Dice Games: Live dice games are rare. But there are still a few variants, such as Lightning Dice, which allows you to play the game of chance with multipliers on top of the action.


• Live Poker: Poker is a social game, so it's safe to say playing live poker is much better than video poker or RNG titles. You'll be going up against a dealer or other players in many exciting variants. Most of them are based on classic and exotic variants, including all the Omaha and Hold'em versions.


• Game Shows: game shows are modelled after wheels of luck or TV game shows that offer enticing rewards. They come with amazing cash prizes and are easy to play. A live game such as Dream Catcher gives you a chance to spin a wheel just like on TV, with numerous segments featuring cash prizes and multipliers. This type of live game is among the most popular at an online casino since it doesn't require any skills before you start.


• Live Slots: Slots are the latest type of live game adapted by the biggest studios. There are just a handful of titles so far. Many of them are based on top hits such as Gonzo's Quest or the Pragmatic Play hit Sweet Bonanza. The gameplay is the same, except for the fact that the dealer spins the reels, which makes for a more immersive experience.

Responsible Gaming at Live Casinos

Since you'll be playing in real time and going against live dealers, you should always remember to play responsibly at the top casino sites. This means setting your bankroll, keeping an eye on your bets, and never chasing losses if you want to stay in control.

Conclusion

It's safe to say that live casino websites are the future of online gambling. What was once just a distant concept has now grown into a fan-favourite. The number of live dealer titles is on the rise, and players love the real time gambling concept for a more immersive experience.

With live game bonuses and plenty of titles, it's clear that the online gambling industry will continue developing such games. Find the top live casinos on our page and try your luck. We're sure you'll be impressed.