Eve Luneborg
Live casinos are made to closely mimic a real casino experience. Instead of relying on computer-generated results, you watch a human dealer manage the game through a live video stream. This setup combines online play with the authenticity of a physical casino, where you can see every move the dealer makes — in real time.
In this live casino guide, we explain how live casinos work by breaking down the technology behind the live streams, the role of the dealer, and how you place bets during the game. You’ll also learn about the fairness of live games, the devices and connections needed to play, and other key details.
A live casino is a vertical within an online casino where you can play live casino games in real time with a human dealer. Unlike regular online casino games that use software and random number generators (RNGs) to determine results, live casinos use real dealers who run a physical game from a studio or a land-based casino.
You watch the dealer through a live video stream and place your bets on a virtual pop-up table. The dealer handles the cards, spins the roulette wheel, or manages other game equipment. To make sure the social aspect as well closely resembles the experience in a land-based casino, there’s an in-game chat. Through this, you can communicate with both the dealer and other players.
A live casino relies on several technologies to deliver real-time games to you and other players. The key part is live streaming, which uses multiple cameras in a studio to capture every angle of the game. These cameras send high-definition video feeds to the online casino platform in real time.
The dealer’s actions — dealing cards, spinning the roulette wheel — are broadcast live so you can see everything as it happens. Special software integrates the video stream with the casino’s betting system. This software recognises your bets in real time and communicates them to the dealer and the game interface.
The system also ensures accurate game results. For example, card recognition technology can identify the cards the dealer deals, while sensors track the roulette ball’s movement. All this data updates your screen immediately.
Behind the scenes, secure servers handle the connection between your device and the live studio. A stable internet connection on your end is essential to avoid delays or interruptions in the stream.
The live dealers are central to the live casino experience. They run the game in real time, handling all physical elements like dealing cards, spinning the roulette wheel, or managing the game equipment.
The dealer’s job includes following strict procedures to ensure the game is fair and transparent. They shuffle and deal cards openly, spin the wheel without interference, and announce results clearly.
Besides managing the game, dealers interact with players through a chat function. They can respond to simple messages, greet players, and keep the game moving at a steady pace.
You should also know that live dealers are trained the same way as dealers and croupiers you find in land-based casinos. Among other things, this means you can see their hands at all times, and they show their palms all the time, so you can verify that the game is fair. Of course, they’re also trained in the intricacies of each game and the rules.
When you play a live casino game, you place your bets through an on-screen interface connected to the live stream. This interface shows the betting options on a virtual table.
To place a bet, you usually select the chip value and then click or tap on the area you want to bet on. For example, in live roulette, you can bet on specific numbers, colours, or groups. In blackjack, you place your bet before the dealer deals the cards.
Because the game is live, there is a limited time to place your bets. The dealer will announce when betting is open and when it closes. Usually, you’ll also see a countdown timer on your screen.
Once betting closes, no more bets are accepted, and the dealer continues with the game. Your bet is recorded instantly, and the system keeps track of all wagers in real time.
In a live casino, results come from real, physical equipment operated by the dealer. For example, in live blackjack, the dealer deals actual cards from a shuffled deck. In live roulette, a real wheel is spun and a ball released.
The outcome depends on these physical actions rather than computer algorithms. This means results are visible and verifiable through the live video stream.
To ensure accuracy, many live casinos use additional technology. Card recognition software can identify which cards are dealt in real time, while sensors track the roulette ball’s position and the pocket it lands in. This data is sent immediately to the game system, so you get the result in real-time.
You see the results live on your screen, often alongside graphical highlights or animations confirming the winning numbers or cards. The dealer will also announce the outcome verbally, reinforcing transparency.
If you win, the funds are credited to your account immediately — there is absolutely no delay.
Live casinos bring the mechanics of a land-based casino to your screen by combining live dealers, real equipment, and streaming technology. You place bets through an on-screen interface, watch the dealer manage the game in real time, and see results determined by physical actions rather than computer algorithms.
This setup ensures transparency, as every move is visible and supported by technology. Card recognition systems and roulette ball sensors make sure the game sare fair, and that the game results are available to all players immediately. Dealers follow strict procedures to keep the games fair, while software integration ensures that bets and results are processed instantly.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.
