Are Online Live Casinos Legal in America?
Yes. Live casinos are legal in any state in America that has legalized online casinos.
Currently, those states include:
Other states are currently in the process of also legalizing online casinos, so we should expect this list to grow soon.
Are Live Dealer Casinos Rigged?
No. All online casinos in the US are monitored and regulated by the state agencies they respectively operate in.
You can find the state agency sites listed above.
These agencies work to ensure that all online casino games have randomized outcomes so that their games are fair for all players.
All live dealer games, studios, and equipment are checked on a regular basis.
What is Live Casino?
Live casinos bring online players a real-life casino floor experience.
Players are able to interact with the live dealer via text communication.
Live dealer casinos are streamed from studios and land-based venues and are compatible with all devices.
Why play Live Dealer Casino Games?
Live Casino Games vs RNG (Virtual) Games
| Live Casino | RNG (Virtual) | |
|---|---|---|
| Immersion | ✔ | X |
| Entertainment | ✔ | X |
| The Feeling of Fairness & Safeness | ✔ | X |
| Constant Evolution | ✔ | X |
The Pros of Playing Live Casino
They’re Immersive
Online casinos seek to give players the ultimate casino experience from any location.
Everything is real from the dealer to the chips to the cards and spinning wheels.
And players can get all of this on any mobile device.
They’re Entertaining
Table games are already thrilling in themselves, but live casinos seek to raise the stakes.
Live dealers are trained to not just be professional but also engage with players.
They serve not just as a dealer, but also as the game’s emcee.
Players will also be delighted with animations, backgrounds, and other treats to give them a gaming experience like no other.
They’re Fair and Safe
While other table games use RNG (random number generator) software, live dealer games do not.
Instead, live dealers and their games are held to the strictest of standards and regulations within the iGaming industry.
Their equipment is also regularly tested to ensure that gameplay integrity is maintained.
They’re Constantly Evolving
When live casino games first came on the market, players could find all the traditional table games like online blackjack and roulette.
But in a short period of time, these games have evolved and now give players multiple variants of the classics to choose from.
This includes Live Game Shows such as Monopoly Live and Dream Catcher.
Players can even find Live Slots at Hard Rock Casino!
Most Popular Live Casino Games
You’ll find a huge selection of live dealer games across online casinos in the country.
The following is a list of the most popular live dealer games you’ll find in the US.
Live Poker
The most popular game of live poker is Texas Hold’Em. In this version, your goal is to beat the dealer instead of the other players.
Other popular live dealer poker games include Three Card Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’Em.
You can play both of these games at 888 Casino and SugarHouse.
Live Blackjack
You will find Live Blackjack at every online casino offering a live platform!
Blackjack continues to reign as king in table games as the most popular in the US. You’ll also find the rules to play fairly straightforward.
Evolution Gaming has introduced a feature called Bet Behind, which allows players who aren’t at a live table to bet on those in the hand. This way, everyone gets a chance to play and you avoid the long queues you’d usually see at a brick and mortar.
Live Roulette
Live Roulette is another popular casino game you’ll find at most live casinos.
You can start with a minimum bet of $1 and wager all the way up to $1000.
Many online casinos offer a variation of live roulette games, including European, French, and American.
Live Baccarat
You’ll find Live Baccarat casino games at a number of online casinos in America! This includes PartyCasino, SugarHouse, 888, and more.
The rules are the same, and minimum wagers start at $1.
There are also different variations of baccarat you can play, including Baccarat Squeeze.
Types of Live Casino Tables
Live dealer tables are streamed from either a casino floor or a live studio.
Regardless of where the game is being streamed from, the rules remain the same.
Studio tables (Evolution gaming)
Most live dealer games are streamed from a studio, usually hosting multiple tables at once.
These games bring you a real-life casino experience, without physically being in a brick and mortar.
One of the biggest live casino providers in the industry is Evolution. Most of the online casinos in America work with Evolution to power their live casinos.
Land-based tables
If a live dealer isn’t in the studio, then they’re at the actual casino.
Some casinos will stream right from the land-based venue, providing a very realistic casino experience.
You can find an example of this at Golden Nugget with their Live Casino Floor Roulette! It is open 24 hours a day and there is no other game like it America.
How to Play Live Casino
In order to play with a live dealer on your laptop or mobile device, you’ll need to sign up for a casino site offering a live casino platform.
Make sure you’re within state borders and of legal gambling age (21) before signing up!
When you’re playing with a live dealer, you have chat features you can use to interact with.
The live dealer will only do as you request and you’ll see a control that allows you to place your bets.
Depending on the online casino you select, will determine minimum wagers and game rules.
How to Find the Best Online Live Casinos
With so many online casinos offering live dealer games, how do you pick the best one?
We have pointed out some key factors you should consider when looking for a live dealer casino to play on.
1. Read our reviews
Our team works to review all of the top online casinos in America so that you know exactly what you are getting before you register.
You’ll find all the information you need about the game selection and welcome bonuses.
You can find all our casino reviews here.
2. Look at the product offering
As far as games go, does the casino have your favorite one?
It’s important to make sure the library has games you like to play, especially if you plan on spending a lot of money on the site!
3. See if they offer a live casino welcome bonus or live casino promotions
Some online casinos offer a special live casino welcome bonus.
If not, you may still be able to use your welcome bonus funds on live casino games.
All wagering requirements and game weights should be easily identifiable in the bonus’ terms and conditions.
4. What are the VIP Incentives for Live Casino Players?
Most loyalty programs at online casinos reward you with points for your gameplay.
This should be no different with live casinos!
If you plan to play on the site regularly, look for a flexible VIP program.
5. Branded Live Casino Tables
Some online casinos, like 888 Casino, have their own live dealer tables.
You will see them branded with the casino’s logo and the rules will be specific to the casino site.
This includes different min and max wagers on games.
6. Studio Appearance and Design
If a game doesn’t look good, you probably won’t be as inclined to play.
Live dealers should always be dressed to the 10’s and the studios should look professional.
Most online casinos will stream their live table games in HD to your device, creating an optimal gaming experience.
7. Technology and Functionality
Obviously, no one wants to play a game with glitches!
The chat bar and betting controls should function smoothly for players to get the best experience.
8. Watch Streamers
If you are curious about how a live dealer game plays out before playing, you can always find other players streaming their gameplay on Twitch.
Play Live Casino on Mobile
You can access all kinds of live dealer games using mobile casino apps!
Live dealer games are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. You can download the apps directly on the casino site or in the Google and Apple Stores.
Make sure you have a good WiFi connection so you don’t use up all of your data while playing!
How Do Live Casinos Work? – “Behind the scenes”
In a live dealer casino, you’re playing with a real dealer in real-time, on your device.
The tables are streamed from live studios or land-based venues to your desktop or phone.
Players can interact with both the dealer and others playing.
You’ll see on the screen where to place your bets and a chat bar to interact with others.
The dealer does everything in front of you (dealing the cards, spinning the wheel), and only does as instructed by the player.
Since the live dealers are professionally trained, you may also ask them for tips throughout gameplay!
You’ll find the schedule for each live dealer game on the casino’s homepage.
Best Live Casino Providers and Software
Evolution is the top live casino game provider in American casinos right now.
This live casino provider employs over 2500 live dealers and a large variety of table games. Some of the most popular Evolution Live Casino games include:
- Live Roulette
- Live Blackjack
- Lightning Baccarat
- Dream Catcher
- Live Three Card Poker
Another great live casino game provider currently available to players in the U.S. is Ezugi. With a focus on live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, players can also find an interesting range of innovative games such as live Indian card games and live lottery-style games.
Independent Live Dealer Tables
Some operators have their own live casinos and stream the tables from the brick and mortar.
Golden Nugget in New Jersey hosts its 24/7 live roulette game streamed from the land-based venue, while 888 Casino features its own branded tables.
How to register at Online Live Casinos?
You’ll have to register at an online casino’s website in order to access their live casino page.
- Find an online casino you like.
- Locate and click on their “Sign Up” button on the home page.
- Enter all required details (name, email address, phone, etc)
- Validate your account via email or SMS.
- Opt-in to a live casino bonus (if available)
- Click on the “Live Casino” tab on the main menu of the site.
- Find your table and start playing!
Solutions for common issues when playing Live Casino Games
If you ever run into any issues at an online casino, always first refer to the site’s FAQ page.
If you still can’t find the answer or solution you seek, contact that casino’s customer support team for assistance.
Here are a few of the most common issues we found players seem to have while playing Live Casino Games.
1. What happens if I lose connection while playing a live casino game?
If the connection is lost on your end, the game will continue without you and the result will be as normal.
If you placed a wager and won, you will see these funds in your account upon return.
If the live casino lost connection, all wagers will be distributed back to all players.
2. I cannot use my welcome bonus on live games. Why is that?
Many welcome bonuses have weight limits on games other than online slots.
You can find all of this information in the bonus’ terms and conditions. We recommend all players fully read any bonus’ terms and conditions before opting into it.
If the bonus does not offer what you are seeking, do not opt-in to the bonus.
There is no penalty for choosing to opt-out of a bonus.
3. I want to play a live casino game for free first. How can I do this?
You cannot play live casino games in Demo Mode the same way you can other games.
If you would like to familiarize yourself with a game before wagering money, we recommend learning rules and tips from other players on Twitch streams.