Play with Live Casino Dealers Online
One of the more popular trends over the past few years are the introduction of casino games with live dealers that operate the game in real-time from a casino table. Players take part in the action via streaming video and make their wagering decisions at a live casino via their computer or laptop. More advanced software allows players to chat with each other and even communicate with the dealer using a live chat function.
Not all casino software providers develop live dealer games. In fact, most do not. The leading live casino software providers are ViG, VueTec, Evolution Gaming, Ho Gaming, Microgaming and Playtech. There are a few proprietary developers such as EntwineTech (888), CWC Gaming and Bet Phoenix, but they don't license their software to other operators, so they are less commonly seen online. Each of the leading software providers has a fair selection of games that operators may choose to provide to their player base. We offer a summary of these leading software platforms:
Most Prominent Live Dealer Software Developers
Playtech - The Playtech casino platform has been designed to bring the thrill of casinos to player's homes - they host games and TV shows that are broadcasted to both on TV and the Web. One of the biggest advantages to the Playtech software is that you can have as many tables as you like open and play all at the same time. These are open windows which is different to Microgaming's multiple tables. If you have a large screen, this feature can be very exciting. Playtech also features multi-player and mass participation games. They host studios in the Philippines and in Latvia and the video stream is high quality from both locations. There is a huge range of games available including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, Casino Hold'em, Mahjong Pai Gow, Sic Bo and more. Casinos using this software include Casino Tropez and William Hill Casino.
Microgaming - Microgaming is well known for their top notch casino software and they were also one of the first online gaming software providers to introduce live dealers. Microgaming offers four games; Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette and Sic Bo. There are a number of options available in baccarat and there are three different blackjack tables to choose from and seven different roulette tables; each with different wagering options. Players can also choose their dealer which is a great feature but you may have to wait for your favourite dealer to come online. Online casinos that use this software include All Slots and Go Wild Casino.
ViG - Visionary iGaming (ViG) is a live online casino software provider that has twice the statistics in roulette than other software providers. The croupiers are casual and very approachable. There is plenty of live chat amongst croupiers and between players. All Visionary iGaming casinos have short payout times. ViG was a pioneer in the Early Payout game and their version remains superior to other software platforms. With their studios hosted in Costa Rica, ViG remains focused by only offering live dealer casino games which are browser based. The games include Roulette, Baccarat, Early Payout Blackjack and classic live blackjack - all with free play modes available. Casinos using this software include Castle Casino and Celtic Casino.
VueTec - VueTec software brings its very own brick and mortar casino in Dublin, Ireland into your living room. The games are streamed from the land based Fitzwilliam's Casino and Card Club in Ireland. This Dublin casino is under strict European scrutiny by the Irish Federal Gaming Authority. They also have a longstanding excellent reputation and only feature live casino games - there are no RNG games available. In comparison to other software providers, the croupiers are not so chatty because there is no chat function in the blackjack and baccarat rooms. The games are browser based and they include blackjack, roulette, baccarat and early payout blackjack. VueTec live casinos offer free play, fast payouts of winnings, and the most popular operator using this software is Dublin Bet.
Ho Gaming - In 2010, the developer Chartwell casino software, based in Canada, issued a joint press release with Ho Gaming to announce that they had reached an agreement for the exclusive distribution of the proceeds of live dealer all over Europe. Ho Gaming is an international company based in Hong Kong with operations in the Philippines, and all the dealers are trained in accordance with the regulations of Macao. Chartwell has since been renamed Amaya, but licensees still have the ability to host the games.
Most Popular Games with Live Dealers
- BaccaratLive baccarat is one of the most popular games due to the fast pace and high odds of winning. Most casinos offer the standard Punto Banco baccarat game on single player and multi-player seat tables. Some online casinos offer a few variations of baccarat including In-Running, Baccarat Pairs, Bonus Baccarat and Super 6 Baccarat. All you have to do is choose which side you are on, player or banker, and then watch the cards as they are dealt. The side that is closer to 9 wins and a new game begins.
- BlackjackLive blackjack is more of less the same as the game of blackjack that you would play at a real casino. The only difference is that you are playing on your PC. With this game, players can join any of the seven available seats at the table and play their hand in turn as they would in any blackjack game. To allow for the fact that players are playing remotely, time limits are imposed on the time to place bets and the time to make betting decisions. The look and feel of the game will vary slightly from one casino to the next but the rules and deck size remain the same. Blackjack with live dealers usually features an 8 deck shoe and is shuffled mid shoe. The dealer will stand on all 17s - hard and soft.
- RouletteLive roulette games feature a real roulette wheel and ball and a real croupier to use them. The game is streamed to your PC which allows you to play the game in real time. Almost all online casinos have at least one variation of roulette that you can play - American, European or French Roulette.
- Pai GowPai Gow is the classic tile and die game where players can bet on three "player" positions and Win/Lose/Pair/Tie bets on each. This game is still relatively new, so it is less commonly available than blackjack or baccarat. Pai Gow is a single player format game so you won't have any trouble joining in the action. A variety of minimum and maximum bet games are offered. This game has a duel video screen - the top video remains fixed on the dealer while the bottom screen is a close up of the table clearly showing the actual tiles as they are dealt. Players can chat to the dealer as they play. Full bet history is also available and the time delay between deals is 30 seconds.
- Sic BoSic Bo is not a very popular game so you may have to look for casinos with live dealers that offer it. The problem with Sic Bo is that the house edge is very high and players have less chance of winning anything. In this game, the croupier throws the dice and players have to place their bets on a large table with plenty of possibilities to choose from. All bets will have different payouts that are different with each casino. When the dealer calls no more bets please the dices will be shaken using the dice shaker and they will be rolled onto the table. The outcome of the combination of the dices will decide if you win or not.
More on this new technology
Best Live Casino List for Canada | ||||||||||
Logo | Casino | Bonus % | Bonus $ | Software | No. of Live Games | Live Chat | Multi-Hand | Multi-Player | ||
 | 100% | $1600 | Microgaming | 0 | TRUE | Oui | Oui | |||
 | 100% | $100 | Microgaming | 0 | TRUE | Oui | Oui | |||
 | 100% | $100 | Microgaming | 0 | TRUE | Oui | Oui | |||
 | 100% | $100 | Microgaming | 0 | TRUE | Oui | Oui | |||
 | 100% | $400 | NetEnt | 0 | FALSE | Oui | Non | |||
 | 150% | $200 | NetEnt | 0 | FALSE | Oui | Non | |||
 | 100% | $100 | Microgaming | 0 | TRUE | Oui | Oui | |||
 | 100% | $600 | NetEnt | 0 | FALSE | Oui | Non | |||
The outcome of each game, such as the spin of the roulette wheel or the turn of cards, is translated into data that is displayed in the casino software. This is done using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. This technology is what allows players to interact with the game the same way they would if they were playing at a land casino because the results are determined by real life actions, not automated software processes.
Supporting the costs for this type of software is significantly more expensive for casinos when compared with virtual games due to the larger investment in technology and staffing. Casinos with live dealers typically employ one or more cameramen, several croupiers running various games, an IT manager and a pit boss to help with disputes between players and croupiers. These high running costs are the main reason why many online casinos only offer a limited number of these games. Live casino games have become really popular with players enjoying the experience of being able to interact with the dealer and the other players.