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journalism → support → readers
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we → click → commission
Unlike standard online casino games, which use software to generate results, live dealer games feature human dealers who shuffle cards, spin roulette wheels and manage bets in real time.
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who → use → time
Players place their wagers through an on-screen interface while watching the action unfold via a live video stream.
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action → place → stream
This complete guide explains how live dealer casinos work, including the cameras, optical character recognition (OCR) technology and software used to connect physical casino tables with online players.
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casinos → explain → players
We also cover popular live casino games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat, how to join a live dealer table and what UK players should look for when choosing a licensed live casino.
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players → cover → casino
A live dealer casino is an online casino where real human dealers run games via live video stream, rather than the games being run on software-generated outcomes.
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games → run → outcomes
Land-based casinos require physically visiting the location, perhaps even taking money and exchanging for chips before you can bet.
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you → base → chips
Standard online casinos remove the need to leave the house plus utilise a simpler wallet system.
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casinos → remove → system
Live dealer casinos sit in the middle.
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casinos → sit → middle
They offer the convenience of playing from anywhere with online deposits and withdrawals, all while maintaining some of the feel of gambling at a brick-and-mortar casino.
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They → offer → casino
The key appeal of live dealer casinos are the real cards, real roulette wheels, and real dealers, but played from home or on mobile.
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appeal → play → mobile
Evolution Gaming is the biggest provider of live dealer online casino games globally, but other providers include Playtech and Pragmatic Playlive.
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providers → include → Playtech
How the technology works
The studio
Live dealer games are broadcast from dedicated studios.
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games → work → studios
These studios are built to replicate casino environments, with felt tables, professional lighting, and multiple camera angles.
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studios → build → tables
Some providers offer 'land-based' streams direct from real casino floors.
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providers → offer → floors
In the UK, Grosvenor broadcast live streams of the tables from their physical casinos with online bettors able to jump in and play.
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Grosvenor → broadcast → bettors
The cameras
Multiple HD cameras are set up to cover the table from different angles, including a wide shot, close-ups on either the cards or wheel, and the dealer’s face.
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cameras → set → cards
Some games let the player choose which camera feed they want to see.
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they → let → feed
All of the cameras feed into a real-time encoding system that streams to the player's device.
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that → feed → device
Optical character recognition (OCR)
To ensure the right information is recorded as fast as possible, OCR software reads the physical cards and translates them into digital data in real time.
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software → ensure → time
OCR is the reason why the game interface on your screen updates instantly when a card is dealt.
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card → update → screen
The same technology is used to read roulette ball landing positions.
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technology → use → positions
The game control unit (GCU)
Every live table has a GCU, a small device that encodes the video feed and enables the dealer to run the game.
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dealer → have → game
The GCU is the hardware heart of a live dealer game and without it, there is no stream.
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GCU → be → it
Players see the video livestream overlaid with a digital betting interface.
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Players → see → interface
Punters then use this interface during a betting window, typically 15 to 30 seconds between hands, to place bets.
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Punters → use → bets
Most games feature a live chat function, which allows players to communicate with the dealer.
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players → feature → dealer
What a live dealer session looks like: Step by step
Live dealer casinos offer the closest experience you can get to a real casino online.
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you → look → casino
You can see the cards being shuffled, the spinning wheel of roulette, and even interact with the dealer.
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cards → see → dealer
But what does the average live dealer session actually look like?
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session → look → what
You will see real-time thumbnails showing the current dealer, table limits, and number of open seats.
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You → see → seats
The video stream loads within a few seconds.
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stream → load → seconds
- The betting window opens.
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window → open → ?
Place your bet using the on-screen chip controls before the timer runs out.
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timer → place → controls
- Results are settled automatically on screen.
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Results → settle → screen
Winnings are credited to your account instantly.
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Winnings → credit → account
- You can stay at the table for as many rounds as you like, or leave at any time between hands.
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you → stay → hands
Live poker offerings are usually split between Casino Hold’Em and Three Card, variants of the game where you play against the house, not other players.
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you → split → house
Live game shows such as Monopoly Live and Crazy Time are geared more towards entertainment, attracting more casual casino players.
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shows → gear → players
…and 59 more, not listed.
The Aporia
