The Best Live Dealer Online Casinos in the US

A live dealer casino game is broadcast live by a professional dealer from a specially created casino studio. In comparison to a video casino game, such as the slots or table games you see at regular online casinos, many people enjoy the social interaction that live dealer casino games can offer. By way of chat room facility, you are able to converse with your fellow players, and even the croupier themselves. There are several differences to the format – for example the games start at set times and often run slower than RNG (random number generator) games because of the human engagement involved. There tends to be less options when it comes to choosing a games title, however many of the top software developers are focusing more heavily on live casino games meaning this area of the industry is only going to grow bigger over time. 

So, what else is there to learn about live dealer online casino games? Let’s read on and find out more.

Is it Legal to Play at a Live Casino Online?

You will find a great deal of live casino games at the best betting sites in the US, giving players the chance to play alongside other people and interact as they would in brick and mortar casinos. Of course, whether you can access live casinos depends on the state you’re in. Many states still have a blanket rule ensuring casino betting is illegal, whereas others, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania have legalized casino, live casino and sports betting to their residents. 

You may find a few games that allow for a free trial via demo mode so you can test out the format and ensure it’s the game for you, however the majority of live casino games only allow for real money play. It’s important to check out the laws in your particular state to ensure live casino is a legal activity to engage in.

To clear up any doubt around the legality of offshore casino betting, it’s not illegal to make bets at an offshore site from the US as long as the relevant licenses are in place. However, be mindful that each state has its own set of rules and regulations that should be followed. We strongly recommend ensuring you always play at a legal and licensed online casino as this protects you and ensures the casino has to adhere to a high standard of service and practice.

Live Casino Online Games

There are many great options when it comes to selecting a live casino game, with the best software developers regularly bringing out new and unique titles. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular games you’re likely to find at a live dealer online casino. 

Live Roulette

PowerUP Roulette – Pragmatic Play

Live roulette is one of the most popular live casino games around, with many of the main developers creating titles for live casino, such as Pragmatic Play’s PowerUP Roulette and Evolution’s Lightning Roulette. There aren’t any real differences when it comes to spinning the roulette wheel at a live casino online compared to an RNG version or a brick and mortar casino – bets are placed in much the same way only with a live croupier calling the shots. Be mindful that live roulette will play at a slower pace than its RNG counterpart, but many enjoy the social side of the live version, and the interaction with fellow players and even the professional dealer through live chat facilities. 

Live Blackjack

AllBets Blackjack Live – Playtech

Another popular live casino addition, live blackjack titles are created by many of the top casino games developers, including Playtech’s All Bets Blackjack and Evolution’s Salon Privé Blackjack. While the game play is slower than RNG blackjack, it can be a good option for those with larger budgets as minimum stakes tend to be a little higher with live table games. You’ll find a range of blackjack variations on offer: European, classic, speed blackjack and even VIP blackjack options that are ideal for high rollers. 

Live Baccarat

Live Speed Baccarat – Evolution

Though not as well known as roulette and blackjack, live baccarat is a popular game at gambling sites. Evolution is one of the best software developers for this online casino game and the team there has created some popular titles such as Live Baccarat Squeeze and Speed Baccarat. The game itself is live streamed from a specialist studio, and you can join in no matter what your budget as many sites allow a stake as low as a few dollars. 

Live Craps

Craps Live – Evolution

Craps was invented in the US over a hundred years ago and now features on many online casinos across the States. To play the game, the ‘shooter’ rolls the two dice, and what lands as a total initiates the next step of the game. For example, rolling a 7 or 11 is called a ‘Natural’ and is considered a win, thus allowing the shooter another throw. It’s a relatively straightforward game to enjoy, and developers such as Evolution include the popular Live Craps in their catalog which is managed by professional dealers from their specialist live casino studios.  

Live Poker

Live Three Card Poker – Evolution

The main difference between playing live poker and at land-based settings is that you’re wagering against the house instead of other players. You’ll find all the favorite variations of poker in live form, including Texas Hold’em, Omaha or Five Card Draw. Live poker is a popular choice of live casino game so there are lots of opportunities to play it at the best online casinos. All the leading software developers create their own version of poker for the live audience, including Evolution’s Texas Hold’em and Live Three Card Poker. 

Live Game Shows

Mega Wheel – Pragmatic Play

Deviating away from table games, it’s also possible to play a range of popular game show games at the best live dealer online casinos. Certain titles have become almost synonymous with this gaming genre, such as Evolution’s Deal or No Deal, or Monopoly Live, alongside Pragmatic Play’s breakthrough game show offering Mega Wheel, or one of its subsequent titles like PowerUP Roulette. Live game shows are fun and engaging, with professional presenters and a real game show feel about them. Look for your favorite ones in the operator list at the top of this page. 

Live Dealer Online Casino Software

There are more and more software developers moving into live casino game creation, however, as with most things, there are a few outright leaders in the industry. Let’s take a look at a few of the front runners when it comes to live dealer online casino games. 

Evolution

One of the first names we associate with live casino online is Evolution, who have headquarters in Sweden and produce games for many jurisdictions such as the European, North American, and South African markets. Launching back in 2006, their creativity and the variation of their games means they have become an industry leader. Firmly consolidating this leadership status, Evolution acquired two big names in 2020: NetEnt and Red Tiger Gaming, both of which specialize in slots games. Possibly Evolution’s most famous online casino games include their game show lineup, such as Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher and Deal or No Deal Live. They also produce a wide range of table games for the live casino audience, covering all the favourties like poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat. 

Pragmatic Play

Crossing five betting verticals, including sportsbook which was added in 2022, Pragmatic Play produces a huge volume of content for its customers. Some of their top live casino titles include Sweet Bonanza Candyland and Mega Roulette. Streaming their live casino games from a state of the art studio in Bucharest which opened in 2019, Pragmatic live casino online is presented by professional croupiers and broadcast in a wide range of languages. Pragmatic Play’s head office is in Sliema, Malta, but their live dealer casino games can be found globally, including in the LatAm, African and European markets. 

Playtech 

Headquartered on the Isle of Man, Playtech was founded back in 1999 and rolled out its first product into the casino industry in 2001. Since then the team has expanded across the globe, agreeing partnerships and sharing its titles with many of the main online casino operators. In 2022, Playtech reached an agreement to extend its grasp of the US market through a partnership with 888 Holdings. This allows the software developer to launch live casino and RNG games across multiple states in the US. Titles you may recognise from the Playtech catalog include The Money Drop Live game show and Age of the Gods Roulette. All games are broadcast from their state of the art studio in Riga, Latvia with professional dealers who are native in a range of languages including English, Italian, Romanian and Spanish.

Ezugi

Founded in 2012, Ezugi was acquired by Evolution six years later in 2018. The company continues to develop its own games, with over 30 live casino titles currently in its repertoire. Streamed from 13 different studios and land-based casinos, its games include classics like Royal Poker and Speed Roulette, alongside game shows like Golden Balls and Dream Catcher. Ezugi is also well known for its games originating from the Indian subcontinent, such as Ultimate Andar Bahar and Teen Patti.

Claim a Live Casino Online Bonus

Like with all of the best online casinos, live casino sites provide a range of bonus offers and promotions for both new and existing players. Let’s take a look at the ones you’re likely to find most frequently. 

• Matched Deposit – Typically used as a welcome bonus offer, matched deposits are a percentage addition added to your account alongside your first deposit. As an example, you may see an offer for 100% up to $100, meaning that anything you deposit up to $100 will be matched in its entirety. 
• Free Spins – Free spins are given as both a welcome bonus and to existing customers. They are usually attached to a particular popular title or series of games and are a great way of testing out something new or getting a feel for a site.
• No Deposit Bonus – As the title suggests, a no deposit bonus is one for which you are not required to first make a deposit. They aren’t as common as either matched deposits or free spins, but can be a great way of getting some free game play before wagering your own real money. 
• No Wagering Bonus – The most demanding of all terms and conditions is that of wagering requirements, but thankfully there are some bonuses, called no wagering bonuses, that eliminate the need to wager before accessing your winnings. As you can imagine, they aren’t commonly found, but they are promotions to aim for if you see one. Other terms and conditions will apply so read through before accepting.

Bonus Terms and Conditions

While bonuses and promotions may sound wildly generous at times, it’s important to remember there will be a whole host of rules and stipulations attached. These terms and conditions are often complex in their description, so let’s go through the areas they usually cover. 

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements denote the amount of times you need to play through a bonus amount, and sometimes your deposit, before having access to any winnings. In reality, they often render it impossible to withdraw any cash from a bonus win with the average wagering requirement being around 35x the bonus amount. As an example, if the bonus was $100, and the wagering requirement 35x, this means you will need to wager $3,500 before being able to withdraw winnings. 

Game Restrictions

Many bonuses, particularly free spins, will have rules on which games are eligible. Usually a game or two, or sometimes a series from a particular developer, will be listed alongside the bonus details. In contrast, you may find titles or game types, such as table games or live casino, listed as ineligible. Of course you can still play these games at other times, just not in association with that particular bonus. 

Time Limits 

It’s important to not accept a casino bonus until you know you’re ready to play, because they will always come with a time limit attached. This limit will encompass the wagering requirements as well as game play and can be as short as 48 hours or up to a whole month. Free spins usually have a shorter shelf life, so read carefully before accepting a bonus. 

Winnings Caps

Alongside limits on time, you will also find limits on winnings. This is usually in proportion to the bonus itself, but will be detailed in the T&Cs. Anything you win that’s above the limit will be void and ineligible for withdrawal. 

Payment Exclusions

If a payment method is excluded from bonus deposit, it’s usually e-Wallets, due to associated fees placed on the operator. This doesn’t mean you can’t use that payment method for other deposits, it’s just excluded from those associated with that particular bonus. 

Minimum Deposit

Unless you’re accepting a no deposit bonus, you will most likely be faced with a minimum deposit requirement. It isn’t often high and will be detailed in the terms and conditions. Completing this condition is usually the first step in bonus acceptance. Be sure to deposit via an eligible payment method. 

Game Contribution

When fulfilling wagering requirements on a bonus by placing real money bets, wagers on certain games may not count in full. Generally, only wagers on slots have a 100% contribution rate. Often, only 10% of players’ bets on table games and live dealer tables will count towards the requirements. Be sure to check the game contribution table before getting started, as bets on live dealer games may not count at all.

Play Live Casino Games on the Go

It’s easy to play live dealer online casino games on the go, both on mobile-optimized sites and through casino apps. As long as you have a secure internet connection, you can fire up the live casino tables and jump into the action wherever you are.

Native apps — provided by top live casinos like BetMGM and FanDuel — offer several benefits. They typically come with slicker interfaces and options to tailor the homepage to your interests. You can also fire up the app with one click, and turn on push notifications to ensure you hear about all the latest bonuses and promotions.

Responsible Gambling at Live Dealer Online Casinos

Gambling can be a lot of fun, and if you land the occasional win it makes it all the better. However, primarily playing at an online casino with live dealers is for entertainment and should always be fun. Keeping yourself safe and avoiding problem gambling is of utmost importance to us at Compare.bet, so let’s go through a few things to look out for that may be warning signs of a potential problem gambling issue.

• Your work or social life is being negatively affected by gambling;
• The budgets you initially set as safe limits are regularly ignored;
• You’re keeping some, or all, of your betting habits a secret from those closest to you;
• You consider gambling a way of making money;
• You can’t relax or enjoy other aspects of your life because of overwhelming thoughts about gambling.

So, how can we be sure to stay safe when gambling? Let’s take a look at some tips.

• Stick to limits – both monetary budgets and time limits for placing bets;
• Never gamble when you’ve been drinking or taking drugs – it’s important to keep a clear head;
• Only ever gamble at licensed establishments – you know that your information will be safe, as well as your banking details;
• Speak to those closest to you about your betting – this includes the losses. It’s an important aspect of gambling and shouldn’t be something you’re embarrassed about;
• Make use of limiting tools that are available at all the best online casinos. This includes GamBAN which allows you to self-exclude from betting sites for a certain amount of time, or even indefinitely;
• Read through the information given by the sites below. It’s always useful to know about safer gambling measures, even if you don’t think you have an issue.

Safer Gambling Organisations

• National Council on Problem Gambling – call the helpline on 1-800-522-4700 for advice and support
• Gamblers Anonymous – an organization that provides local support groups and advice

Sign Up to a Live Casino Online and Start Playing

There’s no doubt that live dealer online casino sites not only provide an excellent alternative to visiting a land-based casino, but have plenty to offer all on their own. After all, where else would you be able to play an immersive live game show and win real money prizes? 

If you fancy signing up to one of the best live dealer casinos on the market, browse our list of approved sites to get started. Once you find that fits the bill, click the ‘claim bonus’ button to sign up and play.