Top UK Live Casinos 2024
Live casino games have grown in popularity over the past decade, surpassing land-based casino play and it shows no signs of slowing down. The reasons why are very simple: the quality of the games, the value in live casino bonuses are much more of a draw for casino players than opting to go to a land casino. Most online casinos in the UK feature a live dealer section and on Play Live Casino, we aim to help you find the best ones!
For those wanting to jump straight in, you can play live casino games at our hand-picked casinos online below. They've been chosen because they offer a huge portfolio of live casino games from the best studios - Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Playtech and Eguzi and are trusted as they're each licensed by the UK. Continue reading if you want to also find the best live casino bonuses and explore the best live games in the UK. Or, if you're new to it all - find out how to play live games and how to get started!
What Is A Live Casino UK?
For those who haven't played live casino yet - you're about to uncover a whole new world of playing casino games online. Live casino games are the closest way to play real casino games, the same as you would do in a land-based casino - only online. There are only a handful of live game providers, but they are the best at what they do and have honed their craft over the past few years to provide UK casino players with the best, most real and most entertaining live casino games online. There are over 500 different live casino games available at the best live dealer casinos.
The most popular live games are provided by Evolution Gaming, a company that only produces live games (and therefore doesn't touch online slots or virtual games). If you are an avid casino goer, you might like the live games that you can play in the comfort of your own home. Live games available at UK online casinos include Live Double Ball Roulette, Blackjack VIP, Lightning Roulette, Live Deal or No Deal, Immersive Roulette, European Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Super Sic Bo, Craps and Three Card Poker.
How Live Casino Games Work
Compared to online slots and other RNG casino games, there's a lot more that goes on behind the scenes in getting the live casino game to your screen. It's a huge, almost mammoth operation, which is probably why there aren't as many dedicated live game studios to choose from. Live casino games can be played across all devices and can be accessed directly in your browser without the need to download anything to your desktop or device.
Choose A Casino With Superior Live Games
Once you've picked your preferred live casino site (if you're stuck, we recommend checking out our suggestions for the best live casinos of 2022 above) you'll need to head towards the live dealer section of the site. At many casinos, online casinos have a separate tab that's dedicated to all live games. Choose a game you'd like to play and load it up on your screen. Everything from here will play out the same way as it would do in a land-based casino.
Live Game Croupiers & Dealers
The games are operated by live human dealers, also known as croupiers. All live game dealers have been thoroughly trained to lead the games elegantly and efficiently. In addition to knowing the games like the back of their hand, the best dealers will lift the atmosphere and vibe of the table. This is particularly important if you're playing live games like Blackjack Party and Evolutions game show games like Gonzo's Treasure Hunt, Lightning Dice, Side Bet City, Dream Catcher and Crazy time (more on those in a moment). Furthermore, Dealers use monitors to stay on track of the gameplay and the player. Dealers need to be conscious of betting decisions, wins, chat messages and of course - new players joining the game and socialise with all of the games' patrons.
Cameras/ Sensors
Live casino tables normally have multiple cameras to capture different angles of gameplay to produce a wholly immersive experience. Depending on the game supplier, you can often see the whole table and various close-ups. Most tables have a built-in rhythm for changing camera views. Some live game providers also let you choose your preferred view manually as well from controls on your device
Live card games such as Blackjack and Baccarat utilise something called 'optical character recognition' technology. What this means is that the cards in play will have a barcode printed in the middle of them, and every table is provided with a scanner. When croupiers take cards from a shoe (those special containers you see at tables for multiple decks of cards) they scan each card before turning it over.
Furthermore, to show live games work, live roulette tables are also highly automatised. Their sensors and cameras can accurately read where the ball has landed on the wheel, so the dealer doesn't need to enter this information manually, which naturally speeds up the game.
Live Game Studios / Settings
So what puts the 'live' into live casino games? Of course, technology plays the most important role but let's not overlook the aesthetics either. When you play live casino, you will be transported to a live game studio on your screen. Usually, a studio will have a high number of tables under one roof, to accommodate the ever-growing popularity of playing live casino games. The great thing about live games is that they are usually available around the clock because the dealers work in shifts. If you're wondering where the game studios are, well, there are studios all over Europe, though it does depend on which software provider you are using.
The top locations are London, Riga and Malta. Some Live Casino studios are built to copy the style of the brick-and-mortar casino floors such as a Vegas Casino with bright lights and glitz and glamour. Some offer a more simple or even futuristic setting. Others benefit from the 'blue screen' and use digital wizardry to make things different and exciting. You may find yourself on a cruise ship, a pirate ship or in a nightclub - there's plenty of options to choose from!
What Are The Best Live Casino Games to Play?
The best live games (and are popular because they are so) are usually from premium providers like Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, Pragmatic Play and Playtech. At most live casinos you will be able to access games from more than one provider. If you end up at a casino with only one, make sure they offer games from Evolution or Playtech as they're often considered the best. Aside from the quality, the best live casino games to play does depend on your preferences and what you like to play.
One thing for sure is that you will almost certainly find several games that are just for you, and others that you have yet to explore. This is the fun thing about playing live casinos - there is so much choice at your fingertips. Below, we have listed some of the most popular live casino games that UK players like to play so you can get a feel of what game you may enjoy too:
Play Live Casino | Games |
Blackjack Party | Blackjack Party: Evolution Gaming’s hot game right now is Blackjack Party. Blackjack Party is still a version of Live Blackjack, but it has a party-themed twist. It's still played the same way as you would play any other Live Blackjack game, as it has the same betting options. However, the goal is a party-style atmosphere as the lively dealers will aim to entertain you. |
Side Bet City | Side Bet City is a live table game by Evolution Gaming, and is an exciting variant to the traditional game of Poker. The dealer deals out three cards, then another two to make a five-card hand, and then two more to make a seven-card hand. The player may bet on the poker value of any of the three hands or all three to lose. Side Bet City is played with one standard 52-card deck, with the cards shuffled after every game and boasts an 80's retro vibe which we love. |
Lightning Dice | Evolutions Lightning Dice live game has a huge appeal not only to casino table game players but also to fans of slots and bingo. It's another game in Evolutions' renowned 'Lightning' brand, with others like Lightning Roulette and Lightning Blackjacl being firm favourites to those who love to play live casino games. Lightning Dice is simple to play yet highly entertaining. The game includes random multipliers of up to 1000x, an ‘electrifying’ UI and a striking black and gold Art Deco playing environment. |
Immersive Roulette | Immersive Roulette is another hugely popular live casino game from Evolution. The rich and varied betting opportunities range from side bets to bonus bets offer jaw-dropping payouts of up to 1,000/1! What makes things "Immersive"? The experience of course! Immersive Roulette is as real as it gets. With this 'first of its kind' game, you can experience a new level of immersion in casino gaming. Thanks to the latest technology and techniques, Immersive Roulette puts you at the centre of the action thanks to multiple camera angles and slow-motion replays. Everything is shot in a high-definition video at an impressive 200 frames-per-second! |
Gonzo's Treasure Hunt | Gonzo's Treasure Hunt is a unique slots-inspired live game show, based on the popular series of slots from Netent which includes Gonzo's Quest (the original) Gonzo's Gold and Gonzo's Quest Megaways. This game boasts incredible graphics, smooth animations and exciting features. Join Gonzo and the game host on a quest searching for hidden treasures against the striking backdrop of an ancient Incan world. The game’s main feature is the giant Incan wall with a total of 70 stones, and this is where you will be searching for prizes. Simply search for hidden treasures by selecting stones on the wall where Prize Drops adds excitement to the game with supersized winnings of up to 20,000 per individual stone! |
Live Deal or No Deal | Based on the successful TV show hosted by Noel Edmonds, Live Deal or No Deal is also a firm favourite of live casino players in the UK. The rules are the same as the TV show - simply take the hot seat to play your way through the boxes for a chance to win up to 500x your original bet! |
Monopoly Live | Created in partnership between Hasbro and Evolution, we don't think that there's anyone on this planet that hasn't heard or played Monopoly. The iconic brand and board game are now available as a live casino game. Based upon of "Wheel of Fortune" style wheel, simply bet on the number you think the wheel will stop at 1, 2, 5, 10, ‘2 ROLLS’ or ‘4 ROLLS’. If you happen to bet on the correct number you will win a corresponding payout. If the wheel stops on a ‘CHANCE’ segment, players are presented with a Chance card by MR. MONOPOLY. The card will show either a random cash prize or a random multiplier bonus! |
Live Dreacatcher | Dreamcatcher was the first of its kind and was developed by Evolution Gaming. Much like Monopoly live (see box above) in this game, the live dealer spins the wheel and interacts with players throughout. What you need to do is simply bet on the number you think the wheel will stop at: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 40. If the player bets on the correct number they win a corresponding payout (e.g. 1 to 1, 2 to 1, 5 to 1, and so on). To shake things up - the 2x or 7x bonus spin multiplier segments offer the potential for super-sized payouts! |
Crazy Time | : Another Money Wheel Game like Dreamcatcher and Monopoly Live is Crazy time. These 'game show' styled casino games are hugely popular with casual casino players as they're fun and require no game strategy that some live games do - like Blackjack and Roulette. Crazy Time is set in a large, colourful and entertaining studio that includes the main money wheel and four exciting bonus games – Cash Hunt, Pachinko, Coin Flip and Crazy Time. |
Mega Ball | Mega Ball is a unique, exciting and fast-paced live game show, featuring one or two Mega Ball bonus rounds, where you have the chance to win even more with added multipliers. In Mega Ball, 20 balls are quickly drawn individually from the automatic ball drawing machine. As the balls are released, the matching numbers on players' cards are automatically marked off on the screen. As you may have guessed, Megaball is all about getting as many lines per card as possible —the more lines you get, the more you win. |
Lightning Blackjack | Lightning Blackjack: Another live game in Evolutions "Lightning" family, this game is only available at select casinos offering Evolution live casino games. The game differs from regular blackjack not just because of the lightning theme, but because of the Lightning Card multipliers and enhanced payouts. What's more, an infinite number of players can play in the same game round too! |
Live Fantan
Fantan is a traditional Chinese game that's now played by live casino players online. The core idea is super simple, but the unique equipment and setup give it a fascinating twist. Evolution's Fan Tan brings the classic Fan Tan experience to the digital age. The dealer scoops up a random amount of white pebbles into a brass bucket and then divides them into rows of four. Your goal is to guess how many pebbles are left at the end: 1, 2, 3 or 4. If you guess right, you win a cash prize!
Play Live Casino: What Can You Expect?
Many of the best live casino sites in the UK offer a varied and high-quality game selection that's easy to access and play on any device of your choosing. We've compiled a handy list below so you know what to expect when you play live casino games online:
- A premium selection of over 50 live casino games from two or more UK-licensed game providers including Evolution. This ensures that not only do you have a diverse range of games, but you also have access to niche games, different stakes and times when games are available.
- All games are available on Desktop, Mobile and Tablet. You will be able to enjoy games in the comfort of your own home or on the go - it's your choice!
- Access to some cracking live casino bonuses with fair terms attached. We don't recommend playing with any casino bonus that has over x40 wagering requirements. Our live casinos above are fair and square!
- The option to choose how you play with various banking methods with low fees available
- Around the clock, customer support and help directly when you need it.
Play With The Best Live Casino Bonuses 2023
Certain casinos give generous bonuses that are aimed towards live casino players. These casino bonuses are meant to be used only in live tables so make sure if you take one, you are aware of all associated terms and conditions, likely, you won't be able to use it on slots. Live casino bonuses are often smaller than those to be played on slots. Whilst this might sound unfair, the way you should look at it is the terms and conditions will almost always be fairer and in your favour.
Live casino bonuses work the same way as regular casino sign up bonuses. For example, let's say you claim a 100% deposit bonus of up to £1,00 and it needs to be wagered x35 times, which would mean a £3,500 wager requirement. You will have to wager the same way as if it was a slots bonus - the only difference is that this bonus can only be used in live tables and it will not work on other games at the casino. For your convenience, we have selected the best live casino bonuses below, that are available at UK Gambling Commission casinos with the best choice of live games.
Other Live Casino Bonuses & Promotions
Other types of bonuses and promotions work well with live casino games too. Cashback is also available for live casino players at top online casinos in the UK. These casinos offer a cashback style bonus that will award you a percentage back on your losses from the previous week. Furthermore, some casinos offer higher bonus percentages for high rollers. Live casino promotions are definitely something to look out for too, including tournaments, lucky draws or extra insurances are just some of the promotional campaigns that UK casinos offer.
The Best Paying RTP % Live Casino Games
Compared to slots and other casino games, live dealer games offer an attractive payout percentage RTP %. The best payout online casino live games in the UK by RTP % are as follows:
- Live Blackjack: 99.5%
- Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker: 99.47%
- Baccarat: 98.95%
- French Roulette: 98.65%
- Caribbean Stud Poker: 98.19%
- Ready To Play Live Casino?
We hope we've given you enough information on playing live casino games on this website. If you're ready to give them a try, then we recommend joining a safe and legit live casino such as those we recommend above and throughout this website. It's important to stay safe and responsible when gambling online, which is why we recommend only playing at licensed casinos. They will do their part in making sure you're safe, playing legit games, and you'll only ever play with fair bonuses and promotions. Also, it's important that you have all the necessary tools to stay in control when you gamble online. If you want to know more, continue to read our guides to playing live games or contact us if you have any questions about the live games you see on this site. Good luck!
Play Live Casinos FAQ's
We've also added some of the most frequently asked questions about playing live casino games in the UK below, to help you gain a better understanding before you play and to help you choose the best games and casino sites to suit your preferences.
Why Play Live Games?
With so many resources going into live games, you can now experience the same experience that you would offline, as online - if not better! Live dealer games bring classic casino games to your screen anytime, anywhere. You can play age-old games or try out some new games that the game suppliers are constantly experimenting with. This means new twists to games and brand new ideas like many of the popular "game show" live games you can play.
Where To Play Live Casino Games Online?
We only recommend playing live casino games at UKGC licensed casinos so that you are protected and only play legit casino games. All of the live casinos we recommend on this website have proven track records and are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Even if you don't play live casinos that we recommend, always ensuring the casino you intend to play at is licensed is a must. You can easily look up this information upon the UKGC website or check the casino's website footer - there will be full details displayed there for you to read.
How Can I Find The Best Live Casino UK?
With our help, of course! There are several ways you can play live casino games but the quickest is to refer to our top casino lists and tables above and throughout this website, You will only find legal and safe casinos here so that when you play live casino games in 2022, you have peace of mind knowing that you're playing the best live game and you won't be scammed.
Are Live Games Rigged?
Live casino games from premium game providers like Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic, Realistic and Ezugi are not rigged. There's absolutely no way you can play rigged games at UKGC licenced casinos!