About Live Dealer Casino Games

Live dealers have become a standard for those who enjoy playing table games in online casinos. Technology has advanced to the point where we can now have crisp video and sound quality and almost feel like we're at a brick-and-mortar establishment.

If you're new to live casinos in Canada, we'll be more than happy to give you a tour and explain how these games work, what types of live casino games exist today, and which casino sites and apps provide the best experience.

Best Live Casino Operators in Canada for 2024

Nearly all modern Canadian casinos feature live dealer games, but not all have the attributes and qualities necessary to satisfy our strict criteria.

We want you to have the best time playing live casino online games, so we carefully sifted through all Canadian-friendly casino sites. We hand-picked only those that are 100% safe, feature live casino games from top industry providers, have acceptable banking policies and provide customers with a fantastic gaming atmosphere.

You can find our top 10 recommendations at the top of this page.

How Live Casino Games Work

Unlike RNG casino games played in a computer-generated environment, live casino installments use cameras in casino-like studios and allow you to engage in various games through the power of a live stream. If you wish to have the best possible picture quality, it's imperative you have a stable internet connection.

Most live casino games have a professional dealer (also called a host or a presenter) who deals cards, spins the roulette wheel, announces the winning hands and numbers, and creates an engaging atmosphere.

Blackjack table
Live dealer games can create an experience similar to brick-and-mortar casinos

Once the betting round of a particular game begins, you'll use the virtual interface to decide on your stake and place a bet. The game will register your input and pay out your winnings accordingly after the round is over.

Another notable feature of live dealer casino online games is live chat. With it, you can communicate with other players and the dealer, which adds to the social aspect lacking in RNG games. Certain live dealer installments also feature multiple cameras and allow you to change their angles.

Note that some live dealer tables have limited seating, so you may be put in a queue and required to wait for others to exit the game before a seat opens up. However, games like Infinite Blackjack have resolved this issue by allowing an endless number of users to play a single hand.

Types of Live Dealer Games

Live casinos have an abundance of different games, from classics like blackjack and roulette to various casino game shows that blend television and gambling. That said, here are some of the most popular games you can find at our recommended Canadian live dealer casinos:

  • Live blackjack — Beat the dealer to 21 while trying not to bust. If you use a strategy, you can lower the house edge to an absolute minimum.
  • Live roulette — Place bets on straight numbers or a group of numbers in various ways, with payouts reaching as high as 35:1.
  • Live baccarat —This simple casino game allows you to bet on one of three possible outcomes: player, banker, or tie.
  • Live poker — Enjoy live poker action by going heads-up against the dealer through variants such as Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, Side Bet City, and more.
  • Live craps — Place money on the outcome of a pair of dice through a variety of exciting bets.
  • Game shows — Gamble in combination with your favourite television shows and games like Deal or No Deal, Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, Wheel of Fortune, and more.

Industry-Leading Live Casino Providers

There is a multitude of studios that create live dealer games, but there are only a selected few that represent the gold standard for live casinos:

  • Evolution
  • Playtech
  • NetEnt
  • Pragmatic Play
  • Vivo Gaming
  • Ezugi
  • Authentic Gaming
  • SA Gaming

Advantages and Disadvantages of Live Casinos

There are plenty of reasons why live casino games have become so popular among online players, but they are not for everyone. Nevertheless, we believe that the pros heavily outweigh the cons in this game category and that you should definitely consider trying them out.

Advantages

  • Immersiveness — While you won't really feel like you're in a physical casino, it's the closest you'll get to that feeling while playing online.
  • Social aspect — The ability to interact with others is what sets live dealer titles apart from other casino games.
  • Attractive and chatty dealers — Good-looking hosts are always there to keep things lively and entertaining.
  • Unique games — Certain table game variants and game shows are only available as live dealer installments.
  • Live casino promotions — Some online casinos have bonuses and promotions specifically designed for their collection of live dealer games.

Disadvantages

  • Higher betting limits — Live dealer games cost more to operate than RNG ones, so they have to impose slightly higher betting limits.
  • Slower action — Live casino games tend to be a bit slower than their RNG counterparts or online slots. Some players prefer this, but if you don't, you can always opt for the speedier versions like Speed Baccarat or Speed Roulette from Evolution.
  • No free mode — Unlike other casino games that can be played for free, live dealer games do not have a free mode.

How to Start Playing Live Casino Games in Canada?

Are you ready to start enjoying live casino games? Here's how:

  1. Pick a casino from our list — We listed only the best and most trusted live casinos that accept Canadian players.
  2. Register an account — Fill out the form containing your name, birthday, email address, and other details.
  3. Place a deposit — Go to the Deposit page to fund your account using anything from cards and e-wallets to alternative online banking services.
  4. Navigate to the live casino library — Head over to the casino's live dealer section and choose a game you wish to play.
  5. Start playing — Wait for the stream to load and for the next betting round to begin. Good luck!

FAQ

What is a live-dealer casino?

A live dealer casino is any online casino that offers casino games with a live dealer, such as live roulette, live blackjack, game shows, or others. In these games, a real person interacts with the game in a studio, while players watch it all through a live stream and place bets on the outcome.

You can play roulette with a dealer spinning a physical roulette wheel, for example, instead of just betting on a computer-generated version of roulette with results decided by a random number generator.

Do all online casinos offer live games?

Not all casino sites offer games with a real dealer. That said, all sites displayed in our list of top 10 live dealer casinos in Canada allow players to experience these types of games. If you wish to play them for real money, browse our top picks and choose the best one for you.

Are live-dealer games better than regular online casino games?

It depends. Some players prefer them, others like other types of games more. What draws players to live dealer games is the similarity to brick-and-mortar casinos in terms of gameplay, atmosphere, and interactions with the dealer and other players. On the other hand, the gameplay can be a bit slower, and betting limits tend to be a bit higher.

If you are seeking a bit of socializing, you will most likely enjoy live games more. If you want fast-paced gameplay and ability to place lower bets, they may not be best option for you.

Can you play live games for free?

Unfortunately, you can't. You can play thousands of free casino games on StakeHub.ca, none of them have a real dealer. Most available titles are free slots and RNG-based table games, because it costs money to operate live dealer games and the number of available seats may be limited. Therefore, game providers cannot afford to have them occupied by players not playing for real money.