Top Live Dealer Online Casinos – Nathalie Reviews Live Casinos Recommended by Locals

As someone who prefers virtual table games and slots, I’ve never really understood the craze behind live dealer online casinos. But since I’m a curious gambler who loves to travel and play games, I set out to see what all the fuss was about.

Along the way, I took the recommendations of fellow players and put those sites to the test. Here are the top options that stood out.

Top Live Dealer Casinos Online

Why would anyone want to play online at a live casino when they could play at the real thing? It was a question I kept asking myself as I strolled through a Vegas casino, casually shuffling my chips in my hands.

But once I established contact with people who already play at live casinos online, I was infected by their sheer enthusiasm.

They didn’t just like them— they swore by them!

So, as I traveled through Nevada, Arizona, and Texas — seeing a Rodeo, catching a ball game, and eating the biggest steak of my life — I continued chatting to people who, more and more, convinced me of the brilliance of top live dealer online casinos.

I created accounts when I had the time and did some exploring. What I learned (and how I did) forms the greater part of this article.

Did I dress down? You bet I did. After realising there was no need for me to get suited and booted like I was on a video call interview, I ripped off my tuxedo, put on my slacks, and rocked up at the first live dealer casino, ready to explore and win some money.

Let’s find out how I got on …

First Live Dealer Casino I Tried: Slots.lv

• Games I played: Wheel of Fortune, 6+ Poker, Blackjack 7
• Hours spent testing: 4
• Bonus claimed: 200% up to $3,000
• How I did: Lost $50

A couple of years ago, I ran a little sociological experiment to see which European soccer club has the most fans in the USA. Real Madrid turned out to be the most popular. They’re also — objectively speaking — the best.

So, after asking a few players which live casinos they like most, it soon became clear that not only is Slots.lv the most popular, it’s probably also the best.

After a day sightseeing in Arizona, I took myself and my sunburn back to my hotel and created an account at Slots.lv, ready to see if what I was told was true: That Slots.lv’s live dealer casino is “just as good” as a real land-based casino.

The first thing I did was claim the 200% welcome bonus, which boosted my initial $50 deposit to $200 in total. This is a humongous offer, but it’s a crypto-boosted bonus.

After using my bonus on slots, I turned my attention to the live dealer casino, where I was met with over 30 live casino games that included live blackjack, live roulette, and live baccarat variants.

I swerved all of those first, though, and decided to have a bit of fun with live Wheel of Fortune, which was hosted by a glamorous lady. I started off with a $10 stake, triggered a multiplier that boosted my potential win, and eventually locked in $65 profit.

I then decided to get serious by playing live 6+ Poker. This is a Texas Hold’em variant, but the deck only has 36 cards. Hand rankings are therefore different, and I have to admit that it took me a bit of time to get into my stride.

After losing a bit of cash on that game, I ended my time at Slots.lv playing one of the blackjack games known as Blackjack 7. I chose this game because it was new, and there was only one seat left at the table.

Don’t ask me why, but I prefer playing at busy tables. After employing my strategy, I didn’t have a lot of luck and was dealt nothing that would win me a side bet. But, hey ho, I still had a great time at Slots.lv, even if I ended up in the red.

What I liked:

Superb selection of live dealer games

What I didn’t like:

What bad hand will I be dealt this time?

Try out Slots.lv now

Second Live Casino I Tried: BetOnline

• Games I played: Sit & Go poker, VIP Blackjack 2, American Roulette
• Hours spent testing: 3.5
• Bonus claimed: 100% poker welcome bonus
• How I did: Won $99

Since I occasionally dabble with sports betting, BetOnline is a live casino I’d already heard of before.

So when the name kept getting mentioned among the people I was talking to, I was curious to check it out.

It was while I was staying in Dallas during a heatwave that I signed up at BetOnline and claimed their 100% up to $1,000 poker welcome bonus, which also comes with 8 days’ worth of tournament tickets.

Naturally, I was only here for 1 day, but I was able to enter a live Sit & Go Tournament, which comes with a $0.03 required rake.

Once I’d taken care of the rake, I headed over to the Sit & Go section at BetOnline and started playing.

Gotta admit, I didn’t have a lot of time to waste, and the steps it took me to actually get started in a tournament made me realise I probably shouldn’t be using so much valuable time doing this.

However, my luck turned when I proved to be the last person needed to fill up a table. I took my seat and we started playing. Not just that, but anyone familiar with a Sit & Go knows they’re often done and dusted pretty quickly.

Personally, I was amazed to find that an online casino offers these kinds of things.

I finished up at BetOnline by playing VIP Blackjack 2 with the $220 profit I’d made playing poker, before trying the Martingale system on an American Roulette table, where the min and max stakes ranged from $0.50 to $12,000.

What I liked:

Plenty of choice for fans of blackjack

What I didn’t like:

Working my magic at Sit & Go tournaments

Check out BetOnline for yourself

Third Live Online Casino Site I Played at: Cafe Casino

• Games I played: Early Payout Blackjack, European Roulette, Tri Card Poker
• Hours spent testing: 3.5
• Bonus claimed: 300% up to $2,000 
• How I did: Lost $150

It was ironic that I joined Cafe Casino while in an actual cafe — just me seeing the irony? Fine.

I’d just been to a sports bar in Vegas when I asked a group of guys for their recommendations. Of course, I totally expected them to ask why I’d want to play live dealer games online when I could just go to a casino. I was in Vegas, after all.

Instead, drinks in hand, they went easy on me and told me all about Cafe Casino. They sold it to me well, giving me the lowdown on its mystery bonuses, fast payouts, and its brilliant section of live casino games that “make you feel as though you’re in Vegas.”

I decided I’d be the judge of that.

After I created my account, I opted in to the 350% matched deposit bonus by depositing $100, and quickly located the live dealer section.

Cafe Casino’s selection of games is noticeably similar to those found at one of its sister sites. But there are a few differences, including Early Payout Blackjack, which I played first.

You bet I was taking the chance to surrender if I was dealt a bad hand.

The trouble was, I played it a bit too cautiously at times and surrendered early three times before letting things ride. Lady luck wasn’t with me, though, and I settled up $88 out of pocket. However, I loved the unpredictable nature of this game.

I made a second deposit so that I had a war chest to help me through a few rounds of live European Roulette, which threw me a little when they changed the dealer halfway through.

I didn’t let it get to me and finished my time at Cafe Casino playing Tri Card Poker live, which pitted me against the dealer, who, in this case, looked like Salma Hayek. Turns out, either she was very crafty or I was just very poor that night, but she beat me fair and square.

What I liked:

I love Cafe Casino’s interface

What I didn’t like:

The pressure is intense

Explore Cafe Casino’s game library

Final Live Casino Site I Tried: Ignition

• Games I played: Tri Card Poker, Blackjack Early Payout, Baccarat
• Hours spent testing: 3
• Bonus claimed: $3,000 combo bonus
• How I did: Won $355

When I was told about Ignition, I was asked whether I would prefer a soft or a hard poker site. I answered (rather sheepishly) that I’d prefer a softer site. Hey, I’m no pro.

The guy grinned and said, “That’s totally fine — Ignition is the best soft poker site on the planet.”

“But is it a good all-round live casino site?” I asked.

“You bet.”

After I signed up and claimed the 300% combo welcome bonus (it’s split 50/50 between the poker rooms and all the other casino games), I soon realised my friend was right: Ignition is one of the best poker sites, but it is also a solid all-around live casino site.

In fact, despite so many people connecting Ignition with poker, you can’t actually play that many live poker games here. I played one of the only two available (Tri Card Poker with Tiff), selected a table limit (there are three options), and started playing.

One thing to note about this game is that Ignition allows for unlimited players, presumably because it’s you vs the dealer. Ignition’s version is super fast, and I have nothing but praise for my dealer, Tiff, who dealt the cards and kept the game moving forward at a good pace.

After banking $125, I took my chances on Blackjack Early Payout with Martis. Again, I could choose from 3 different table limits, this time opting for $25 – $1,000. I struggled initially before hitting a stride and was able to bank a further $230.

I finished up at Ignition playing Baccarat with Selina, who, with a smile, took my jacket.

What I liked:

Gold Tier is for the exclusive games

What I didn’t like:

Seeing each dealer’s name gives proceedings a nice personal touch

Try Ignition right now

My Verdict Comparing the Best Live Dealer Casinos Online

To make it easier for you to decide which of the top live dealer casinos online might suit you best, I decided to rank and rate each live dealer casino according to what they do best:

Best Live Dealer Casino Site Overall: Slots.lv

I hate the phrase “10/10 recommend,” but when it comes to Slots.lv, I would 10/10 recommend.

In terms of game selection, the professionalism of the dealers, the actual setting, and the quality of the streams, Slots.lv impressed me the most.

There are always seats available, bet limits should suit everyone, and you’ll be rewarded with points every time you play any live dealer game.

Throw in the convenience, the mobile friendliness, and the 200% welcome bonus, and I can see why so many people prefer to play live dealer games instead of visiting a real casino.

Top Live Dealer Casino for Tournaments: BetOnline

If you love the thrill of competing in tournaments against other players, BetOnline is my top pick for tourney games.

I especially liked their Sit & Go tournaments, which are ideal if you don’t want to spend too much time playing a game of poker, but you can also enter roulette and blackjack tournaments here.

Other best online live dealer casinos didn’t even offer tournament games at all, and they certainly can’t compete with BetOnline when it comes to games like Bad Beat Jackpot.

Best Mobile Live Online Casino: Cafe Casino

I compared each live dealer casino with how they fared on desktop and mobile devices, and Cafe Casino gets my vote for mobile gaming.

Not only is the mobile version of the site intuitively designed for super ease-of-use, but site load time is flawless, and I had zero issues with glitching when streaming the live games.

This meant it was easy for me to watch the action, consider my strategy, and place my bets without falling behind.

It’s also easy to add funds to your account and connect to the 24/7 customer service.

Best Live Dealer Online Casino for Exclusives: Ignition

Ignition is the only online casino I reviewed that has exclusive live dealer games. They include various blackjack, roulette, and baccarat games, and they come with higher and more flexible bet limits.

To gain access, you just need to be a regular player who earns rewards points known as Ignition Miles.

Personally, the idea of playing in an exclusive online live dealer casino is super attractive to me. As a Gold Tier member, you’ll also get access to exclusive bonuses, exclusive tournaments, and expedited payouts.

How the Best Live Casinos Compare

How many live dealer games does each live casino have? What kind of customer support do they offer?

And what are the terms and conditions of their welcome bonuses?

To give you a better insight into what each live dealer casino has to offer, I’m going to use this next section to compare them side-by-side:

Game Variety

BetOnline has the most live dealer games overall — but numbers only tell one side of the story. For example, BetOnline has 27 live blackjack games, but a greater bulk of these are VIP games that come with a $100 minimum bet.

In terms of actual variety that suits everyone, Slots.lv fares better. You can play with low stakes, high stakes, and everything in between.

Ignition, meanwhile, actually has more live games than any other site, but I haven’t included their exclusive games here. As you can see, their collection is also a bit lopsided and almost totally dominated by live blackjack games.

If you’re looking to play live baccarat, though, BetOnline is the clear winner.

Bonuses and Promotions

I recommend all the welcome bonuses in the table above because welcome offers are an amazing way to get started at any casino site.
However, only Ignition’s offer can actually be used on online poker. This shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you enjoy playing other types of games. Plus, you can use your funds to raise extra cash to use on live casino games.

Ignition’s, Cafe Casino’s, and Slots.lv’s offers are actually crypto gambling boosted bonuses. If you prefer to play with fiat currencies, you can still claim a matched welcome bonus, but the size of it will be a bit smaller.

For instance, instead of Slots.lv’s 200% bonus, you’ll be eligible for their 100% bonus.

Wagering requirements are fairly hefty, but Ignition’s 25x wagering requirements can be considered reasonable.

If you’d rather swerve wagering requirements completely, BetOnline’s 100 free spins are impossible to ignore. Yes, you’ll need to use them on slots, but — as I said — they can be a great way to raise more funds for your bankroll.

Customer Support Comparison

One of the reasons Slots.lv scored so highly was its excellent customer support. Not only did its live chat team respond faster than anyone else, but it also has an exceptional social media profile and a brilliant Help Center.

It ticks all the boxes when it comes to what I expected from the customer service channels at an online casino.

The rest of the live dealer casinos aren’t too far behind. Each casino site has active and engaging social media presences, while live chat was responsive anytime I tried to reach it wherever I was.

Also, Cafe Casino doesn’t have an FAQ page as such, but they do have a number of menus like Terms of Service, Dispute Resolution, and Forms and Agreements.

In short, I found that all the best online casinos are extremely transparent.

New to Playing Live Dealer Casino Games? Here’s My Advice

Personally, I like to hear what people with more experience than I have to say about a subject I’m interested in. This is why I was so glad to get some advice from the people I met during the process of writing this article.

Now, I’d like to draw on my own personal experiences and pass on some advice to those just starting out with live casino games:

Join Multiple Online Casinos

Admittedly, you could just stick to one online casino if you’re happy enough where you are. But with so many top gambling sites out there that offer unique experiences, I think it’s such a waste if you don’t create different accounts.

After all, they’re free to sign up to! You might find that you prefer to play blackjack games live at one casino site and the live roulette games at another casino site — and so on.

Claim the Welcome Bonuses

Before I started writing this article, I wasn’t really a bonus hunter myself, but seeing how certain offers came clutch, I’ve changed my whole perspective.

Usually, you just need to meet the minimum deposit required, and the casino site will then match it by X percent. For instance, if you deposit $20 to claim a 100% welcome offer, you’ll receive $20 worth of bonus funds.

Be Mindful of Etiquette

When you’re playing live casino games, the same etiquette rules at a land-based casino apply. This means being polite to the dealer if you decide to talk to them (yes, you can chat to them in real time).

It also means not taking a seat at an already busy table if you know you don’t plan on playing. If you’re just there to watch for a bit, it’s fine provided there are a few seats available. But if you outstay your welcome while knowing others want to sit down and play, it’s time to move on.

Of course, this rule doesn’t apply to unlimited-seat tables.

Are Live Dealer Casinos Safe?

You know what? An interesting thought occurred to me when I was playing at BetOnline: At least I can’t get robbed of my winnings on my way home!

On a serious note, though, there are safe online casinos and unsafe online casinos. Here’s what to look out for at a safe online casino:

Licensing: If a casino site is safe and legit, it will have a license that permits it to legally offer its games. And if a site is licensed, it’s obligated to meet specific safety measures, while also being kept in check by the Gaming Commission.

Encryption: One of the standard safety measures at all licensed live dealer casinos is SSL-encryption, which scrambles all the website’s data so that would-be cyber criminals can’t get access.

Two-Factor Authentication: Many of the best live dealer casinos will have two-factor authentication, but it’s up to you to activate it. Doing so bolsters your account even more because it makes it impossible for criminals to access your account without your mobile device.

Trustworthy Payment Methods: You can increase your safety by using payment methods you recognise. All the top live dealer casinos support familiar banking options like VISA and Bitcoin, so make sure to look out for your preferred methods.

Online Live Dealer Casinos: Basic Info Guide

Okay, so far you know that the best live dealer online casinos let you stream actual casino games directly onto your device. The dealers are human, the dice, the cards, and the roulette balls and wheels are real … but what else can you expect to find?

You Can Play Other Casino Games, Too

Maybe one day you want to play online slots or algorithm-driven table games like Atlantic City Blackjack.

Or maybe you want to play video poker games with a low house edge and a fast turnover.

That’s totally cool because all the top live casino sites let you play these types of casino games and more.

Bet Limits Are High

Live casino games typically have higher bet limits than other types of casino games. This is especially true if you root out the “VIP” games like VIP Blackjack, especially at high payout casinos.

I’ve seen tables that have a $50,000 max stake, which suggests (to me) that high rollers are welcome to play. Whatever your personal preferences, you should be able to find tables that suit you.

Games Are Available 24/7

Unlike land-based casinos, which are closed at certain times of the day (most of them anyway), most of the best live dealer online casinos are open 24/7.

Not all the tables will be available all the time, but there will always be some tables that are up and running for whenever you’re in the mood to play.

There Are Different Software Providers

Personally, I didn’t pay too much attention to the software provider whenever I chose a live casino game to play.

But it’s worth mentioning that one of the reasons you might see multiple blackjack games at a live casino is that they’re from different software providers. How much this will influence the gameplay or the aesthetics, such as the sounds and the visuals, is up for debate.

You’re Not on Video

Call me paranoid, but I had the crazy idea that I would be on camera if I started playing live dealer games online! Just like I could see the dealer, I thought they (and everyone else) could see me.

They can’t. You’re never on camera, which means there’s no dress code. You can wear whatever you want!

Signing Up Takes Two Minutes (or Less)

The convenience of playing at a live casino site is something else. Not only do you not have to get dressed up and drive somewhere, but you only need to complete a simple registration form to get started.

Just 3 minutes passed between me creating an account at Slots.lv, making a deposit and playing a live dealer game.

Types of Live Dealer Games You Can Play

Worried you might not find your favourite casino game at a live dealer casino site? Let’s see what games you can play:

Live Blackjack

Blackjack is typically the most popular live casino game, at least if we’re to judge this according to the numbers. I saw more live blackjack games than any other casino game, though they have very different titles from regular online blackjack games.

For example, you might see games like Blackjack 1, Blackjack 2, and Blackjack 3 — each referring to a specific live dealer table, not rule variations. Most tables offer common side bets, like 21+3 or Perfect Pairs, regardless of the number.

There are also VIP Blackjack games, which have higher limits (up to $50,000).

Live Roulette

The most common versions of live roulette you’ll find at the best online live dealer casinos are European Roulette and American Roulette. You might find other variants, including Speed Roulette.

Typically, most online casinos will offer a number of different roulette tables with different limits and different dealers, but the games themselves are essentially the same.

Live Poker

The most popular live poker game I saw at live dealer casinos was Tri-Card Poker, which, as anyone who plays poker will know, pits you against the dealer, with both of you getting three cards at the start.

You might find Casino Hold’em at some sites (such as BetOnline), as well as live poker tournaments.

One thing to note, though, is that Tri-Card Poker limits tend to be fairly low.

Live Baccarat

Live baccarat is another commonly seen live casino game. Most baccarat games have limits between $10 and $200, though you might find a few higher limit tables.

The Dragon Bonus bet is a common feature at live baccarat games, giving you the chance to increase your potential win.

The rules of the game are often the same, even if you’ll find a few different tables.

Live Game Shows

Most of the best live dealer online casinos I tested let you play Wheel of Fortune live, which is a fun game based on the popular TV game show. Limits typically range from $1 to $1,000, and the rules of the game will be familiar to anyone who’s seen it on TV.

Some sites also let you play live Dream Catcher and live Crazy Time.

My Advice on Live Casino Bonuses

All the best live dealer casinos have regular offers that you can claim. If you become a VIP, you’ll get access to even more promotions, while a lot of casino sites have loyalty programs that let you earn reward points anytime you play a game for real money.

Let’s take a closer look at the different types of bonuses, as well as some of the things you need to look out for:

Types of Bonuses at Live Dealer Casino Sites

Welcome Bonus: This is exclusively available to brand-new customers. It’s often a matched deposit bonus, but it may also include free spins, or it may just be free spins. You can claim it by meeting the minimum deposit, with the casino matching your deposit by X amount.

Reload Bonuses: These are available to regular players at different intervals. They’re a matched deposit bonus, which means that, like with welcome bonuses, the casino site will match your deposit by X amount.

Referral Bonuses: Also known as refer-a-friend bonuses, some live dealer online casinos have a referral code that you can copy and paste to a friend of yours. If your friend clicks the link and follows the instructions to create an account and make a deposit, you’ll be rewarded, either with additional bonus funds, free spins, or loyalty points.

Cashback: Some casino sites offer refunds on your losses accrued over a set period of time, such as a week or a month. For instance, if you opt in to 5% cashback and you had lost $50 over 7 days, you’ll receive $2.50 worth of cashback.

Things to Look Out for With Live Casino Bonuses

Wagering Requirements: When you claim a bonus, you’ll see something in the terms and conditions like “this offer comes with 30x wagering requirements.” This refers to the number of times you need to wager the deposit + bonus before winnings are withdrawable.

For example, if the wagering requirements are set at 30x and you deposited $10, you’ll need to wager a further $300 before you can take home any winnings made using your bonus.

Minimum Deposit: Most offers require you to deposit X amount before the bonus is yours. Sometimes the minimum deposit could be quite small, but other times it could be quite large.

Eligible Games: Not all bonuses can be used on all types of games. As we saw earlier, a lot of the welcome bonuses I claimed couldn’t be used on live dealer games. Make sure to check eligible games before you claim any offer.

Expiry Date: It’s important you don’t leave your bonus hanging on the shelf because it will eventually run out. Many offers expire within 7-30 days, which is why I always recommend using them as soon as possible.

How Deposits and Withdrawals Work at Live Dealer Online Casinos

The good news is that making a deposit and processing a withdrawal is super easy at any top-rated live dealer casino.

That said, there are still a couple of things to note that could influence which payment methods you use:

Deposits

Any deposit you make is instant, regardless of the specific payment method (unless stated otherwise).

You might be charged a transaction fee if you use a regular payment method, but crypto deposits are usually free.

There will be minimum and maximum deposits in place wherever you play, and these may pertain to daily, weekly, and monthly limits.

Some live dealer online casinos, however, let you set your own deposit limits. 

Withdrawals

Withdrawals always take longer than deposits because of the additional security checks. Some payouts will take longer than others, particularly at bank transfer casinos, so it’s important to check the website to see how you might speed things up by selecting a faster option.

On that note, crypto withdrawals are generally the fastest.

There may be some withdrawal fees to watch out for, and there will also be min and max withdrawal limits in place.

My Final Thoughts on Live Dealer Online Casinos

I have to be honest: I was a tad sceptical that live dealer online casinos could replicate the real thing. I went into this adventure thinking that if I played at an online casino that was even 50% as good as the real thing, I’d be satisfied.

As it turns out, all the best live dealer casinos exceeded my expectations. Slots.lv was my favourite overall, but the quality of the streams, dealers, sounds, visuals, and everything else was tip-top at the likes of Ignition, BetOnline, and Cafe Casino, too.

If I had to do it all again, next time I’d probably give myself a bit more time to get acquainted with a few other games. And while I was disappointed not to find more poker games, I can understand why.

After all, it can’t be easy to implement “proper” live poker games at a casino site.

All in all, this trip turned my scepticism into genuine appreciation. Live dealer online casinos aren’t just a substitute — they’re a whole experience of their own!

Guide to Playing at Live Dealer Online Casinos: FAQs

Before I unpack my cases, I thought I’d quickly go through an FAQ so that you get the answers to any remaining questions you might have.

What Is the Best Online Casino for Playing Live Dealer Games?

In case I hadn’t already made myself clear enough earlier, I’ll repeat that the best online casino for live dealer games, in my opinion, is Slots.lv.

Not only does it have the best game variety (important), but it also has an excellent rewards program that enhances your whole experience. Each time you play a live dealer game, you’ll rack up points and unlock rewards.

A 200% welcome bonus is a great way to get started, while the professionalism of the dealers and the casino settings is impressive.

Can I Play Live Dealer Casino Games on My Mobile Device?

Yep! I played live dealer casino games on my mobile device, and you can too, as all the best casino sites are mobile-compatible.

Sometimes, there’ll be a casino app you can download. Even if there isn’t, you can log in to your casino account via your mobile browser.

What Is the Best Live Dealer Casino Game?

The answer to this question is subjective because we all have different tastes. But some of the most popular live dealer casino games include American Roulette, Blackjack Early Payout, and Tri Card Poker. 

What Are the Benefits of Playing at Live Dealer Online Casinos?

Live dealer online casinos give you an air of familiarity because the action is taking place in a casino (or what’s meant to be a casino). You can see the human dealers (and interact with them), which gives everything the kind of personal touch that an algorithm-driven game can’t. 

And while they can’t quite match the buzz of walking into a real casino, they score a lot of points when it comes to convenience. You can play all your favourite games without even leaving your home — or getting dressed.

I’m off to pack for my next adventure! In the meantime, you can write to me with questions, comments, or suggestions about what I should do next at Nathalie@metrotimes.com.

This article appears in May 21-27, 2025.