The Best Live Casino Sites on the UK Market
There’s no way to come closer to a real brick and mortar casino feeling than when you crack open an online casino’s live tables section and explore the countless options within. Live dealer play has become so commonplace these days, but the best of the best are still hard to find.
License No:UKGC 39265- Casumo live casino games
- Live Dream Catcher from Evolution Gaming
- Live Turbo Roulette and Double Ball
- Exclusive VIP tables
Full T&Cs apply. *18+. New customers. Opt-in required. 20 Bonus Spins on "Sahara Riches Cash Collect" at 10p per spin and 100% Deposit Bonus up to £25 on first deposit (payment method and play restrictions apply). Min. deposit £10. 30x wagering for Bonus Spins and Deposit Bonus (game weighting applies). Max. £5/spin or £0.50/line. 30 days expiry. Please gamble responsibly • BeGambleAware.org • T&Cs apply
License No:UKGC 39561- Playtech live casino games
- Exclusive live tables and loads of dealers
- Live Sic Bo and baccarat
- Live Hi-Lo and 3 Card Brag
18+ • 1st time depositor at 888casino only • £20 min deposit • Claim within 48 hrs • Valid for selected games • Bonus wins capped at £500, excl. JP wins • 30x wagering – req. vary by game • Bonus expires within 90 days • Payment method & country restrictions apply • Withdrawal terms & Full T&C apply
License No:UKGC 39576- BetVictor live casino games
- Variety is the key here, with tons of live tables available
- Multiple live casino suites from Evolution and Extreme
- Including live poker, Ra Roulette and Immersive Roulette
Full T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in and wager £10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Get 3 x £10 bonuses for selected games with up to 40x wagering plus 100 Free Spins on Fishin' Frenzy. Bonuses expire in 30 days. Max redeemable from bonuses is £750. Card payments only. BeGambleAware | Please gamble responsibly
If you’re not keen on wasting your time trying to find the right place to play live casino games, you’re best off sticking around for my assessment of the best live casino sites on the British online casino market. The casinos above are the crème de la crème in the world of live dealer tables, and you’ll do no wrong, whichever one you choose. There’s not only a wide range of games offered but, between these picks, you can experience various live providers, each with their own signature look, cutting-edge performance and inventive game types.
How to Tell the Good from the Bad?
After you have browsed through our UK casino guide and have found a good online casino, you should expect to be happy also with the live suite, right? Wrong. There’s hundreds of casinos out there and, yes, while the best gaming spots out there also have a solid live offer, a good virtual offer does not necessarily represent a good live one. There is a set of unique specifications to look out for before you browse for your next live casino site online – many of which are separate from the casino itself. This is because many operators forego staging their own live studios, but instead cooperate with major streaming providers for top-notch quality. The live dealers and studios involved aren’t typically affiliated with one or other online casino – though some level of customisation might be involved in set design of the casino’s signature games, depending on the operator, of course. Here are some tips on how to go about in your search:
As you can see, it’s all about game variety, good quality streaming of video and audio, a well-working technical and visual concept, and fitting table limits for all types of players. Settle for one of the big live streaming providers out there – the proven track record with each supplier translates into a superb application of high-quality audio and visual standards, and you’ll have a lot more games to choose from – especially with companies like Evolution Gaming, who add new concepts to their catalogue on a running basis! Furthermore, sticking to the big-name providers will be more than just a safe bet with live casinos – it’ll save you countless moments of frustration with slow streaming, dodgy audio or uninteresting game variants and rare addition of new games to the roster. Keep an eye out for exclusive live dealer games as more and more operators are starting to delve into this area. These games run on the same software but feature branded tables.
How Does a Live Casino Online Work?
To be honest, there’s not mind-bending magic behind the idea of live dealer suites – apart from the obvious smart use of technology. Back in 2002, an Australian gaming company Vuetec started operating live from big land-based casinos, including real chips, real casino employees, and real cards, setting the foundation for follow-ups. The need to scale up has led other online gambling operators to start their own live ventures. Currently, casinos team up with a live provider for a streaming service from an available studio. This means, for you as a player, that once you click the command to join a live table, you’ll be greeted by a dealer or croupier, with the full table being streamed, including audio. The perks of this is live chat, which lets you communicate with the dealer instantly – you write, he or she answers – easy peasy! Quite often you can also switch between two or three different camera and table view layouts, tackling pretty much every angle possible. You can adjust your game settings with various game toggles, and placing the bet occurs by clicking on the chips – which are the only virtual items on the table. Everything else – the real deal.
Top Streaming Providers
The live dealer provider industry isn’t nearly as big as the online casino market. Instead, the industry revolves around several high-performing vendors who have come to run a tight ship in all their live streaming affairs, with few spaces left for newcomers to the scene. The biggest name in the game is Evolution Gaming, a live streaming giant with a high-quality product and an ever-growing games roster. NetEnt, whom you might know from its visually stunning games, has also joined in on the live fun, though it’s still got some ways to go. Playtech has been on the scene for a while, too, offering varied suites with an international dealer staff. Extreme Live Gaming doesn’t want to be outdone by the bunch and has moved toward improving its live products. You’ll spot the Extreme games thanks to the eye-catching costumes and funky game themes and backgrounds.
Evolution Gaming is the market leader for live casino streams in the UK:
- EGR Live Casino Provider of the Year winner for eight consecutive years, awarded by E-Gaming Review, plus a host of other awards
- Exclusive casino poker games, such as Ultimate Texas Hold’em, bring added variety to the gameplay and give players more options
- The company continues to innovate with its latest Dream Catcher game, a Wheel of Fortune style game of chance with a live presenter
- Mobile optimised live casino games work wonderfully on both smartphones and tablets and deliver unbeatable live games on the move
NetEnt comes with years of experience and top quality:
- Innovating since 1996, NetEnt’s live streams just work, without fuss, and are super reliable at all times of the day and night
- A quality mobile experience for live games is a nice addition given that more and more players are taking their lives games with them
- Rock-solid connections to chat features and offers the classics; blackjack, roulette and more in 25 different languages
- NetEnt live rewards provides casinos with the opportunity to offers its players unique promotions as either cash or free spins
Playtech Live Casino is authenticity perfected:
- Playtech often offers lower table limits than its competitors, with minimum bets being particularly low for roulette and blackjack
- Advanced mobile and tablet versions of the live games are superb, and provide a comparable experience to desktop that you can take with you
- Great for roulette, with unique games such as Speed Roulette, which offers much faster play than regular roulette – perfect for public transport
- Low stakes and game variety make it the best choice for beginners who don’t want to risk too much money from the very beginning of their live casino journeys
Extreme Live Gaming, a Novomatic spin-off:
- Extreme only launched in 2013 but has caught up to its more established competition very quickly, competing today with the best in the business
- Nominated for two live casino awards in 2016, showing how far this live provider has come since its launch.
- London-based live dealers add a more familiar experience for players who like a more local feel rather than the Eastern European studios
- Extra bonus features such as the Golden Ball Game Show show that Extreme is really starting to stretch its legs – watch this space
All of these live dealer games providers have several things in common: a good selection of standard games and a few unique variants, coupled with good streaming and audio as well as dedicated, professional staff. You’ll also find a wide variety of table limits and provider-specific features such as multi-table play option, avatars, or multiple viewing angles.
Live Dealer Game Selection
As online casinos grow in scope, there are only a few mainstream games that go untouched by one or another live tables suite. A constantly developing field, you can observe how providers build on standard casino games like roulette or blackjack and bring new creations into the mix, often following current trends or catering to regional audiences.
Live Blackjack – A Modern Classic
One of the most beloved card games cannot go without getting the live treatment. A staple on live tables for years, you can enjoy the classic game of chance and skill with a live dealer with just a few clicks! Bet behinds are offered by several live providers, so you can place a wager even when the table is full!
There’s typically plenty of tables if you’re after a classic variant of blackjack, with options for low stakes players and high rollers with bigger pockets offered side by side. If you’re looking to switch things up a bit, you can delve into some more novelty ideas such as Blackjack Party by Evolution Gaming – a wild ride alongside two peppy dealers with tonnes of banter or branded tables with live specials, such as the dedicated 888casino blackjack including daily promos! Playtech’s Unlimited Blackjack can seat an unlimited number of players, so those keen to join have somewhere to go!
Keep Your Eye on the Ball with Live Roulette
The game that revolves around the wheel is one of the top picks in live suites and virtual tables alike. No wonder it’s such a hit with players – there’s no skill required, but the payouts can be decent if you place your chips smartly.
Those who play live casino games will already be familiar with the standard European and French variants, though you rarely find American Roulette live (and rightfully so!). Nevertheless, there are plenty of intriguing variants of this classic. Browse between Evolution Gaming live tables like Immersive Roulette, where you get a detailed, middle-of-the-action view of the table, or Double Ball Roulette where two balls are spun simultaneously. Extreme Live Gaming’s slot-based Ra Roulette will please fans of the Book of Ra slot – it includes themed side games and special prizes. Other kooky creations like Sizzling Hot Roulette or Lady Luck’s Charm Roulette for those who want to mix things up a bit.
Live Casino Poker Games
Poker games have also started making their way into the forefront of live dealer gaming. After all, there’s a lot to get into when it comes to moving beyond the traditional player versus player setup. There are several casino poker live variants that will please fans of this classic card game not only with a fantastic packaging and performance but also the availability of side bets.
Evolution Gaming is currently leading the pack on this one. With a selection of games like 3 Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, Casino Hold’em and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, poker fans tired of the player versus player format will get into their element with superbly executed setup and a fantastic gameplay experience. Caribbean Stud’s bonus bets and progressive jackpot pool sweeten the deal, as do the Pair Plus and Six Card bonus bets in 3 Card Poker. Enjoy the stylish setting and the company of a professional dealer and beat the house!
Explore Live Baccarat & Variants
Not to be outdone by other games, baccarat has emerged on the live scene recently to please the fans of this James Bond card game favourite with dedicated dealer tables and a few variations to boot. Evolution Gaming knocks it out of the park again with this game, with sophisticated sets, professional dealers and impeccable visuals in each variant. Surely, other live casino streaming providers might jump onboard in the near future as more and more people seek out casino poker variants.
Aside from basic baccarat, there’s Baccarat Squeeze and Control Squeeze, which provide the player with detailed close-ups using sophisticated streaming interfaces – while mimicking a casino experience straight out of Macau! Speed Baccarat, a somewhat faster variant of the basic game, and Multi-Camera Baccarat, a version similar to Immersive Roulette, are also on the menu – though these are not necessarily offered at each Evolution casino.
Live Casino Bonuses
Welcome bonuses aren’t the only bone to chew on. Luckily, there’s a lot of perks for live casino aficionados as well. These will come in especially handy if you’re someone who couldn’t care less about playing slots. After all, what good are slot-focused casino offers UK if you’ll barely touch the reels? In this case, it might be wiser to forego a bigger chunk of cash with high playthroughs in favour of a small reward which might be more realistic to complete. At the same time, however, live bonuses aren’t a given at each casino. It simply depends on how forthcoming a casino decides to be. Here are our top picks if you’re hunting for the best live casino bonuses.
| Casumo |
Casumo offers a live experience that really packs a punch
|
Bonus: £25
|
Review | Full T&Cs apply. *18+. New customers. Opt-in required. 20 Bonus Spins on "Sahara Riches Cash Collect" at 10p per spin and 100% Deposit Bonus up to £25 on first deposit (payment method and play restrictions apply). Min. deposit £10. 30x wagering for Bonus Spins and Deposit Bonus (game weighting applies). Max. £5/spin or £0.50/line. 30 days expiry. Please gamble responsibly • BeGambleAware.org • T&Cs apply |
| Betfair |
Betfair’s live casino comes with an extensive selection of dealers
|
Bonus: £100
|
Review | Full T&Cs apply. Minimum deposit of £10 , x45 wagering, Roulette & Blackjack 50% weighting. Bonus valid for 7 days. Not available to customers using Moneybookers/Skrill or Neteller as a payment method. |
| Betvictor |
BetVictor Casino offers two different live suites to choose from
|
Bonus: £30
|
Review | Full T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. Opt in and wager £10 on selected games within 7 days of registration. Get 3 x £10 bonuses for selected games with up to 40x wagering plus 100 Free Spins on Fishin' Frenzy. Bonuses expire in 30 days. Max redeemable from bonuses is £750. Card payments only. BeGambleAware | Please gamble responsibly |
The Best Live Casino Experience, at Your Fingertips!
If you miss the feel of a brick and mortar casino yet can’t be bothered making your way to one, then waste no more time with virtual roulette or blackjack and take advantage of the one or other live options out there! As live stream casino games grow in number and sophistication, you’re at the forefront of online casino revolution with an unparalleled experience and an exciting choice of games. There’s simply no way to talk this down, really. And with the right bonuses to boot, you’ll be a fan of live casino online games in no time! Our pick in the banner below is an excellent place to start – though there are plenty of other fantastic online casinos in case you want to browse some more or check out some non-live game offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hungry for some more information about what’s in store when you play live casino games? You’re not alone! Here are some of our most common inquiries about live tables and the related gaming experience. You might find your own concerns answered here, too!
Q: Can I play live casino games for free? It’s generally not possible to have a demo version or trial of live games. Casinos wouldn’t spend resources like staff, airtime, and table space for a few empty rounds, would they? But while you can’t play for free, you’re welcome to join any table and observe for as long as you see fit, or even chat with the dealer if you want!
Q: Where are the live games streamed from? Live providers operate from dedicated studios around Europe, for instance, Evolution Gaming’s main live studio is in Riga, Latvia (though they operate on a smaller scale from six other locations in Europe as well). These hubs put all the resources in one place and make it easier for the vendor to provide a fully packaged product in the best quality. Sometimes you’ll also find tables streamed from actual casinos, like with Dragonara Roulette being streamed from the Dragonara Casino in Malta.
Q: Can I talk to the dealers? Yes, you can – via chat function which is built into the live stream. It’s quite simple, really: you write, and the dealer will respond in audio. It can be as interactive as you make it, with some tables being a flat-out party!
Q: What languages are used? The predominant language spoken by the dealers is English; I’d say, amounting to about 80% of tables. At the same time, you will also find tables in German, Italian, Russian, Chinese or Spanish, depending on the casino operator. It’s largely up to the casino’s cooperation with the provider to choose which language tables they offer.
Q: Can I use my welcome bonus for live casino games? Broadly speaking – no. Welcome bonuses typically target mainly slots players, and in some casinos casino roulette and blackjack games qualify with a partial wagering contribution, while live games may get a measly 8-10%, depending. The best course of action if you’re a frequent live player is to seek out casinos with dedicated live casino bonuses – like the ones mentioned above.