What live dealer games are
Live dealer games are broadcast from dedicated studios — sometimes from casino floors — where real dealers run actual physical equipment (cards, roulette wheels, baccarat shoes) in front of cameras. Players connect via video stream and place bets through a digital interface. The outcome is determined by the physical game, not an RNG.
The main providers are Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live, Playtech, and a few others. Most online casinos license these studios rather than running their own.
House edge in common live dealer games
Live dealer does not remove the house edge. The rules determine it, just as in physical casinos:
- Blackjack (standard rules, basic strategy): 0.5–1%
- Baccarat (banker bet): 1.06%
- European Roulette (single zero): 2.7%
- American Roulette (double zero): 5.26%
- Live game show variants (Crazy Time, Monopoly Live): 3–5%+ depending on the bet
The live format does not change these numbers. Check the specific rule variant before playing — blackjack rules vary significantly (number of decks, dealer hit/stand on soft 17, surrender availability) and each variation shifts the house edge.
Betting limits and accessibility
Live dealer tables have minimum and maximum bet limits set by the operator. Entry minimums range from £1 at shared tables to £25+ at private or VIP tables. Maximum limits can be capped lower than you expect, particularly during busy periods when the same dealer is shared across many players.
Speed of play is also faster than most people expect. Dealers maintain pace across all players. If you need time to check strategy or terms, live dealer is harder to pace than a standard game where you control the spin.
What to check before playing
Which studio the game comes from. Evolution, Pragmatic, and Playtech are regulated in multiple jurisdictions and publish their game audits. Smaller unknown studios carry more risk.
Whether the operator is licensed in your jurisdiction. The studio being regulated does not guarantee the platform hosting it is. The casino license is the one that matters for dispute resolution and withdrawal protections.
Bonus restrictions. Most live dealer games contribute at 10% or less toward wagering requirements — or are excluded entirely. If you have an active bonus, playing live dealer is usually the slowest way to clear it and risks voiding the offer under max-bet rules.
Connection stability. Dropped connections during a hand can cause complications. Check the operator's disconnection policy before playing. Some operators have clear rules; others do not.
The honest case for live dealer
Live dealer offers lower house edge than most slots and a social element that some players value. Blackjack with basic strategy is among the best-value games in any casino on those metrics. That does not make it profitable — the house still has an edge. It means the cost per pound played is lower than most alternatives, and the format is more transparent (you can watch the cards being dealt rather than trusting an RNG).
