Live Casino Online – What Is It?
Online live casino games are games that feature real-life dealers who are streamed directly to you over the internet from a dedicated live casino studio. These dealers and all other players participating in the game can be interacted with through a dedicated messaging service.
These online live casino games are mostly based on the traditional games found at brick-and-mortar casinos, but there are some live casino exclusive titles too. They generally follow the same rules, but the popularity of live dealer casino content has led developers to think outside the box and launch variations of classic games with revamped designs, new gameplay, additional bets or rule changes.
Regardless of whether casinos offer the traditional game or a unique variation of it, they will provide you with an authentic casino experience from the comfort of your own home.
How Does Live Casino Work?
Live dealer casinos are broadcast from a game developer’s game studio. The studios usually feature tables and any other required equipment for the live casino dealer to host the game, and they’re filmed by several cameras, usually 4K in quality, that track their every move.
These cameras also use a unique technology known as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) which translates what cards and numbers are shown into a game and converts them into data that is shared with the casino player on their end. All of this is done instantly, without a delay. Finally, the live dealers will have screens, allowing them to keep track of the game as it unfolds and follow what players are saying and betting.
Meanwhile, on the player side, users are shown an interface similar to that of the traditional online casino games. When playing, users will be required to modify their bet and place casino chips on the game’s interface to declare bets. Unlike traditional online casino games, however, users will be limited in how long they have to place their bets.
How To Play Live Casino Games
It’s incredibly easy to play online live casino games in the United Kingdom. Like with traditional online games, you simply have to register with an online casino offering live titles and then verify your account with them. Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to find a live dealer casino game that interests you and load it up.
Depending on the game, you’ll need to modify your bet and then place it. This is usually done by placing virtual casino chips on the game’s table interface. Once the time limit for placing bets has ended, the game will play out and then all potential winnings credited
Interacting With Dealers And Other Players
As mentioned above, most online live casino games will feature a messaging service, allowing you to chat with other players participating in the game as well as the dealer, who will then respond via the live stream. These messaging services are usually represented by small text boxes which you simply click and type out your message. The messages are then displayed on the dealer’s screen, allowing them to respond back.
Live Casino UK Promotions
For those of you who are unfamiliar with online gambling, most online casino websites provide new users with welcome offers, bonuses that can be used on games. The promotions available will depend on the online casino, but most will provide new users with either free spins on select video slots or deposit match bonuses.
Some online casinos offer a specialised online live dealer casino welcome bonus, which are deposit bonuses that provide you with funds to use on live casino games. While generic welcome bonuses can be used on any games, the bonus from live dealer casino promotions can only be used on live casino titles, making them incredibly restricting.
Like generic welcome bonuses, these online live casino promotions are subject to strict terms and conditions which require a minimum deposit to claim the bonus. Other important terms and conditions to make a note of include expiry dates, win or withdrawal limits, and wagering requirements where you must wager the bonus or its associated winnings a set number of times before anything can be withdrawn.
A downside to these online live casino UK promotions is that they’re incredibly rare to come across. Most online casinos prefer giving registered users generic casino bonuses compatible with most games. Despite their rarity, we know of several online casinos that offer live dealer casino promotions, and we’ve made a note of them in our list of the best live casino websites below.
What Are The Best Live Casino UK Websites?
There are hundreds of online casinos in the United Kingdom that offer live casino games, but not all of them are worth registering with. If you’re looking for the best live casino UK websites and want to find websites offering specialised live dealer casino promotions, take a look and read up on the websites we’ve suggested below:
Genesis Casino
Genesis Casino is an online casino that is hugely popular in the UK. We consider it to be one of the best live casino UK websites as it provides users with a generous selection of live casino games, along with video slots and traditional table games too. What’s more, the website offers a choice between a traditional casino bonus along with a live casino bonus too. If you’d like to know more about the website, check out our Genesis Casino review here.
LeoVegas
The lion-themed LeoVegas is one of the best live casino UK websites. LeoVegas is incredibly generous with its promotions, offering new users a no deposit bonus, a traditional casino welcome offer, a sports betting welcome offer, and a live casino welcome offer, although you can only select one of the welcome offers available. It also features a large selection of casino games and offers sports betting too. Our LeoVegas review will have more details about what’s available.
Casino Gods
Casino Gods is another great online casino and one of the best live casino UK websites. The website is themed on gods, and like sister site Genesis Casino it offers a live casino welcome offer along with numerous live casino games. If that isn’t enough, the website offers plenty of other casino games and it accepts most major payment methods too. Take a look at our Casino Gods review for more information.
Casumo
The colourful Casumo is one of the most popular online casinos in the United Kingdom. We consider it to be one of the best live casino UK websites, thanks to its large selection of casino games, including live titles. What’s more, the website offers a traditional casino bonus, a live casino bonus, and a sports betting bonus too. However, you can only select one of the three available bonuses. The website is incredibly mobile-friendly, accepts most major payment methods, and offers great customer support too. Want to know more? Take a look at our Casumo review here.
Casoola
Casoola is a robot-themed online casino available in the UK and we consider it to be one of the best live casino UK sites. The website is home to a large selection of casino games, including live titles and traditional games, and it accepts a variety of payment options too. If that’s not enough, the site offers several promotions, including traditional casino and live casino welcome offers, jackpot prize pools, weekend bonuses, and more. More details about the website can be found in our Casoola review.
Casino Planet
Casino Planet is another sci-fi-themed online casino, which we consider to be one of the best live casino UK websites. At Casino Planet, you can enjoy an ordinary casino bonus, a live casino bonus, and numerous other promotions too. There’s also a huge selection of games for you to play, and the website is mobile-friendly so you can play wherever and however you want. Check our Casino Planet review for more details.
Kassu
Kassu is our final suggestion for the best live casino UK websites. The online casino offers a wide range of games, including video slots, table games, and live casino titles. It’s also home to several promotions for both traditional and live casino games. If all of that isn’t enough, you can use most major payment methods and enjoy great customer support. Take a look at our Kassu review here for more information.
All the websites we’ve suggested here are what we believe to be the best live casino UK websites. All of the websites we’ve suggested are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which means they’re safe to play at. If the websites above aren’t of any interest, we suggest you take a look at our wider selection of reviews here where we hope you’ll find something.
Live Casino Games
There are numerous online live casino games available for you to play. As we’ve already mentioned, the selection of games available at an online casino will depend on the individual website, and we suggest you take a look at a casino’s offering before registering with it. If you want to know more about what the different live casino games are available to play and how they differ from their traditional online counterparts, just keep reading.
Blackjack
Live casino Blackjack games play just like their online and brick-and-mortar counterparts, requiring you to create hand combinations that total as close to the number 21 as possible without going over it. Live casino Blackjack follows all of these rules, but there are other variations that change some of the rules or gameplay mechanics. For example, Party Blackjack is a variation that has a party feel to it, with more hosts that openly chat with participants. Meanwhile, there’s Power Blackjack, which offers different betting options and moves depending on which cards are drawn. Finally, there’s also Speed Blackjack, which follows all of the traditional rules but at a much faster pace for speedier gameplay.
Roulette
Live Roulette casino games are another popular live casino games where you are required to bet on the outcome of the Roulette wheel, just like in the traditional brick-and-mortar and online versions of the game. Live Roulette casino is one of the most popular live casino games, so there are dozens of variations of the game, each with varying gameplay rules and mechanics. You can enjoy American Roulette, French, and European Roulette, as well as Speed Roulette that plays faster than normal Roulette, Double Roulette that features two balls, Auto Roulette that continuously plays without a break and without a dealer, and there are plenty of other variations too.
Baccarat
Baccarat live casino games are another casino game that has been adapted for live casino gaming. Like live casino Blackjack games and their counterparts, the brick-and-mortar, live casino, and traditional online variations of Baccarat all follow the same rules where you must make a hand combination that totals as close to the number nine as possible. Unlike with the other live casino games, there aren’t as many variations of Baccarat live casino. At the time of writing, you can enjoy a Speed variant that plays faster than traditional games and Baccarat Squeeze, which is named after the dealer’s slow reveal of cards. If you’d like to know more about Baccarat and how to play it, check our Baccarat guide here.
Game Shows
Evolution, one of the leading providers for live casino content, has also developed live game shows, which were developed exclusively for live casino gaming. These live casino game shows include Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt which plays like a live slot, Crazy Time which is a wheel game with bonus games and multipliers, Dream Catcher which is a money wheel game, Monopoly Live which is a Monopoly variation of Dream Catcher, Deal Or No Deal Live, Lightning Dice where you bet on the outcome of the dice rolls, Football Studio which is a card comparing game, Mega Ball, and there are so many others too.
Other Live Casino Games
If all of the above isn’t enough, there are plenty of other live casino games for you to enjoy too. For example, you can enjoy several live poker games, including Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino Hold’em, Texas Hold’em Poker, and Three Card Poker. You can enjoy plenty more, including DragonTiger, Sic Bo, Craps, and Playtech has begun releasing live variations of video slots, including Buffalo Blitz.
Live Casino Game Developers: Who Are The Best?
There are numerous game developers within the online casino industry. Most game developers create video slots, but many have also dabbled in creating table games and live casino games too. Some developers have made more live titles than others, and notable live casino game developers to look out for include the following:
Evolution
Evolution, formerly known as Evolution Gaming, is one of the most well-known live casino game providers available in the United Kingdom. Evolution was founded back in 2006, operates several live casino game studios, has won hundreds of awards, and has released a slew of live games, including Roulette, live casino Blackjack games, Poker, Sic Bo, Dragon Tiger, Baccarat live casino, Craps, and the exclusive game shows we’ve mentioned earlier in our guide.
Evolution has grown massively since its founding and recently celebrated its 15 year anniversary. It’s acquired several game development studios, such as NetEnt and Red Tiger Gaming, and continues to release new content. One of the reasons Evolution is so popular is that Evolution’s games are widely available in the UK and the developer offers so much content you’re unlikely to get bored.
Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is a well-known game developer that has released a wide selection of casino games and won numerous awards. Its main focus is video slots, but it’s also launched table games, scratchcards, bingo rooms, and lots of live casino content too. Pragmatic Plays constantly evolving live casino content has included titles such as Dragon Tiger, Blackjack, Roulette, Mega Wheel, Roulette, Sic Bo, and Baccarat live casino, all of which are filmed at Pragmatic Play’s state-of-the-art studio in Bucharest, Romania.
Like Evolution, Pragmatic Play is widely available at UK online casinos and has become hugely popular for its selection of games, as well as for its Drop & Wins jackpot service and frequent promotions too.
NetEnt
NetEnt is one of the biggest slot game developers. Now owned by Evolution, the game developer has been around since the early 2000s, and it’s been responsible for the creation of some of the biggest video slots around, including Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Finn And The Swirly Spin, Twin Spin, Deal Or Alive, and numerous others too. NetEnt has released several live casino games too, including Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and more.
Alongside all of the above, NetEnt was one of the first game developers to release touch-friendly table games, and its slots are usually part of casino promotions, such as free spins. All of this is why NetEnt remains one of the most popular developers around.
Playtech
Playtech is another well-known casino game provider. Founded in 1999, Playtech has released numerous video slots, many of which were branded and based on well-known film or television franchises, such as DC Comics and Marvel. Playtech’s slots are also known for their networked progressive jackpots, which allow users to make big wins.
Alongside their video slots, Playtech has also released virtual sports games, bingo rooms, poker games, and live casino games. These live titles include Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, Poker, Sic Bo, and live variations of popular video slots too. Unfortunately, Playtech content is somewhat harder to find compared to the games from Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and others on this list.
Microgaming
Microgaming is arguably one of the most well-known game developers in all of online gambling. The studio, which has been around since the mid-1990s, has released some of the most popular games, like Immortal Romance and Game Of Thrones among others. Although its main focus is video slots, Microgaming has released several live casino games too, including Baccarat live casino, Fortune Finder, and more.
Unfortunately, Microgaming doesn’t have as many live casino games as the other developers here, but they’re still worth looking at, along with all of Microgaming’s other games. One of the best aspects of Microgaming is that it’s widely available, so you won’t have any trouble finding its games!
Ezugi
Ezugi is an online casino game developer that was founded back in 2012 by a group of industry veterans, and it was acquired by Evolution in 2018. Unlike most game developers, Ezugi focuses primarily on live casino content and it operators nine live casino studios. Some of its games include Sic Bo, Roulette, Baccarat, Three Card Poker, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, Casino Hold’em, and Keno.
The studio also offers several exclusive games too, including Bet On Numbers, Andar Bahar, Teen Patti, Lucky 7, and more. Unfortunately, Ezugi isn’t very common in the United Kingdom, so you may run into some issues finding the developer’s games.
Vivo Gaming
Vivo Gaming is a live casino provider that was founded back in 2010 and has been releasing high-quality live casino games since. Some of Vivo Gaming’s most recent releases include Roulette, Blackjack, and several other games too, all of which offer an exciting live experience.
We’ve reviewed dozens of online casinos and haven’t come across many Vivo Gaming titles, so don’t expect to see them on a regular basis at UK online casinos.
All of the game developers listed here offer a selection of live casino games, and their availability will depend on the different online casino websites you register with. Regardless, they all offer great casino experiences and are worth trying out.
Live Casino On Android And iPhone
For those of you that don’t know, most online casino games are compatible with mobile devices, and that includes live casino titles too. Live casino games can be played on Android and iPhone mobile devices, as well as on tablets too. When playing on mobile, there are two main ways of playing; either through a dedicated mobile app or through your mobile device’s internet browser.
Generally speaking, all online casino websites in the United Kingdom are compatible with mobile devices. Casino apps, however, are a little more intricate in nature. For example, there are types of casino apps you can download for live casino games, and they include:
- Traditional Casino App: Offers a mixed range of content, including live casino titles
- Live Casino App: Offers only live casino content
Most of the casino apps you can download will be traditional casino apps, which offer a mixture of content. However, some casino brands offer specialised live casino apps, which offer only live casino content. What you prefer to download will depend on your preferences, and whether you want to enjoy a wide selection of content or just live casino games.
When it comes to playing live casino in-browser and in an app, the experience is incredibly similar to what you’d expect on your computer or laptop. Regardless of how you play, you’ll need to be logged in and have made a deposit. When playing a live casino game, you’ll still be presented with an interactable table to adjust and place your bets, and make actions when playing. There is virtually no difference between playing on your mobile or computer or laptop.
However, it’s important to note that your mobile or tablet device must have a constant internet connection in order to play games. What’s more, it’s important to point out that downloading and installing a casino app will take up storage space on your device, while playing in-browser will not. Finally, there are some instances where casino games, usually table games or video slots, are not compatible with your mobile device because they were developed using Flash, which most mobile devices no longer support. This is rare, however, and isn’t something you should worry about.
Best Live Casino Mobile Apps
As mentioned, there are two different types of casino apps you can download to play live casino games. To save you the hassle of having to search the Google and Apple Stores, we’ve put together a list of what we believe are the best live casino mobile apps. Take a look at them below:
Bet365 Live Casino
Although Bet365 is primarily a betting website, the brand also offers casino games, including live casino content. Bet365 offers a live casino app on the Apple App and Google Play Stores, through which you can enjoy a wide selection of live casino games, and only that. If you want to try other games, you’ll need to download Bet365’s other casino apps.
888 Casino
888 Casino is a well-known online casino in the UK, and the brand offers a downloading mobile app on both the Apple App and Google Play Stores. Through the app, you can claim various promotions and play a wide selection of casino games, including video slots and live casino games too. More information about the desktop 888 Casino website can be found in our review here.
Ladbrokes Live Casino
Sports betting brand Ladbrokes also offers a live casino app for both Android and iOS devices. Through the app, you can enjoy exclusive weekly promotional offers as well as a wide selection of live casino games, including live Roulette casino games and live casino Blackjack games among many others. If you want to enjoy Ladbrokes’ sports betting service, you’ll need to download the sports betting app, and if you’re looking to play other casino games, you’ll need to download the casino app, which also offers live titles.
PlayOJO Casino
PlayOJO Casino is one of the biggest brands in the UK, known for being the “fair” casino and for its wide catalogue of casino games. The casino app offers all of the same content, including video slots, table games, and live casino content too. If you’d like to know more about why PlayOJO Casino is so popular in the UK, we suggest you read our review here.
William Hill Live Casino
William Hill is a huge sportsbook in the United Kingdom, but the site also offers casino content too. The brand offers numerous apps on the Apple App and Google Play Stores, such as a sports betting app for the betting service, a bingo app for bingo games, a casino and Vegas app for traditional casino games, and a live casino app for live titles.
Party Casino
Party Casino is an online casino that offers a diverse range of content, including live casino titles. The brand offers a casino app on the Apple App and Google Play Stores, which provides you with video slots, table games, instant-win titles, and live casino games too. You can read all about the desktop website in our Party Casino review.
Coral Live Casino
Coral is another well-known sports betting website that offers casino games, including live titles. Coral offers three main gambling apps on the Apple App and Google Play Stores, including betting, traditional casino games, and live casino titles too. You can enjoy various promotions, including exclusive host offers when using the Coral Live Casino app!
32Red Casino
32Red is an online casino in the UK, which is home to a large catalogue of content. This includes video slots, jackpots, table games, live casino content, and more, and all of that can be found in the 32Red Casino mobile app too. If you’d like to learn more about 32Red, make sure to check our review here.
Betway Live Casino
Betway is another betting website which, surprisingly, offers a great live casino mobile app. When using the live casino app, you can claim a generous welcome bonus and enjoy a “massive” selection of live casino games and exclusive live titles too. If you want to enjoy Betway’s other services, you’ll have to download the sports, Vegas, and casino apps.
Casumo Casino
We recommended Casumo as one of the best live casino UK websites above, and now we’re suggesting Casumo’s app as one of the best live casino mobile apps. Through the Casumo app, you can enjoy a huge selection of casino games, including live titles, as well as daily tournaments and so much more.
The above apps are just some of what’s available in the Google Play and Apple App Stores. Regardless of whether you decide to play in-browser or through a live casino or traditional casino app, you will be able to enjoy immersive and fun live casino games.
Are Live Casino Games Better Than Online Ones?
This is a difficult question to answer as it simply depends on your preferences. If you’re looking to play games that provide you with an experience that is incredibly close to what you’d experience at a brick-and-mortar casino, then you should try playing live casino games. These games offer social experiences and are usually fast-paced, which make for a fun time.
If you don’t care for playing with real people or enjoying a brick-and-mortar-like experience, then it may be better for you to stick to traditional online casino games. There are more of them, additional variations, and they’re much more widely available in the UK too.
We suggest you think about what you might prefer, and play the games that interest you more. Alternatively, why not play both of them and enjoy all of that they offer?
Questions & Answers (FAQ)
What is live casino online?
Live casino online is a special type of online gambling where real dealers are streamed directly to you over the internet. These dealers, along with all other players participating in the game, can be interacted with. You can learn more about how live casino online games work with our live casino guide.
Is there a live casino no deposit bonus?
Unfortunately, websites that offer a live casino bonus usually require a deposit. There are almost no websites giving away a live casino no deposit bonus, but if you’re looking to claim a deposit live casino bonus, make sure to check our recommended casinos here!
What live casino games can you play?
Most traditional online casino games have been adapted to live content, so there are dozens of live casino games for you to play. Some notable examples include live Roulette casino games, live casino Blackjack games, Baccarat, Poker, video slots, and more.
Can I play live casino on Android?
Yep! As we’ve explained in our live casino guide, live casino games are compatible with mobile devices, so you can play live casino on Android smartphones and tablets. To find out how to do this, check the mobile section of our live casino guide.
What are the best UK live casino websites?
If you’re looking for suggestions for the best UK live casino websites, make sure to look at our recommendations in our live casino guide. All of the casinos we’ve suggested are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, which means they’re completely safe to play at, and they offer a great selection of casino content.