Live dealer games: a real table on your screen
Live dealer games stream a real dealer, real cards and a real wheel from a studio to your phone or computer. You bet on screen while a timer runs, then watch the round play out live.
Reviewed Oct 15, 2026
Answer first
90s- 01Results come from real cards and wheels, read by cameras and sensors.
- 02Blackjack, roulette and baccarat are the most common games.
- 03In the US, live dealer games are only legal on licensed online casinos in a few states.
Key numbers
Live dealer at a glance
In short
Key takeaways
- A camera, not software, decides the result.
- You bet through buttons on the screen.
- Rounds are slower than RNG games.
- Only play on a licensed site.
Progress
One live round
- 1
Bets open
Timer starts on screen
- 2
Bets close
No more changes
- 3
Deal or spin
Dealer plays live
- 4
Camera reads
Result goes on screen
- 5
Settle
Wins paid to your balance
A round usually takes under a minute.
Common live dealer games
| Game | What to know |
|---|---|
| Blackjack | Seats can fill; some tables let you bet behind |
| Roulette | Single and double zero tables exist |
| Baccarat | Often has squeeze and side bets |
| Game shows | Wheel games with multipliers |
| Poker games | Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em |
The game list depends on the site.
How the studio works
A live studio has several tables, each with a dealer, cameras and a reader. Card shoes scan each card, and wheels have sensors that read the pocket.
That data is sent to the game screen at the same moment you see the dealer act, so the result shown matches the table.
Live dealer vs RNG table games
| Point | Live dealer | RNG |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Real cards and wheel | Random number generator |
| Speed | About 30 to 60 rounds an hour | As fast as you click |
| Minimum bet | Often higher | Often lower |
| Feel | Social, with chat | Solo |
Slower play often costs less per hour.
Why limits are higher
A live table needs a paid dealer, a studio and staff around the clock. Sites cover that with higher minimum bets than RNG games.
A slower pace also means fewer bets per hour, so your expected loss per hour can be lower even at higher stakes.
Sequence
Joining your first live table
Step 01
Use a licensed site
Check the state regulator list.
Step 02
Check the table rules
Decks, pays and limits.
Step 03
Watch one round
Learn the timer and buttons.
Step 04
Bet before the timer ends
Late bets are not taken.
Step 05
Use the history panel
Every round is logged.
If your connection drops
If you lose connection mid-round, the game usually finishes the round for you. Blackjack hands may be played by a default rule, often standing. Your result appears in the game history.
Read the site’s disconnection rule in the help screen, because each game handles it a little differently.
Live dealer terms
- Studio
- The room where live tables are filmed.
- Bet timer
- The countdown for placing bets.
- Bet behind
- Betting on another player’s blackjack hand.
- Game history
- A log of your recent rounds.
Live studios in the US
In US states with legal online casinos, live dealer games are run under that state’s gaming rules, and many are dealt from studios inside the state, such as in Atlantic City and Pennsylvania.
Regulators approve the studio, the dealers and the equipment before games go live.
Rounds per hour (rough)
| Game | Live | RNG |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | About 50 | 200 or more |
| Roulette | About 40 | 300 or more |
| Baccarat | About 60 | 200 or more |
Rough figures; pace varies.
Common mistakes
- Playing on an unlicensed site
- You have no regulator to complain to.
- Rushing the timer
- Mistakes cost money.
- Ignoring table rules
- Pays differ by table.
- Using the chat to argue
- It is moderated.
Keep reading
Related pages
Go play
Where to play in Las Vegas
Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, poker status, floor facts). Print poker rooms, sorted by published table count.
Open a casino page
Real listings · not adsAfter the 90 seconds
Questions before and after you play
A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.
01Basics
Are live dealer games real?
Yes. A real dealer deals real cards or spins a real wheel in a studio. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
How is the result read?
Card scanners and wheel sensors send the result to the screen. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Can I talk to the dealer?
Usually by text chat; the dealer may reply out loud. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
02Play
How long do I have to bet?
Often 10 to 20 seconds, shown by a timer. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
What if I lose connection?
The round usually completes by default rules. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Are there table limits?
Yes. Each table posts its minimum and maximum. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
03Legal
Is live dealer legal in the US?
Only where online casinos are legal and licensed. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Which states?
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and a few others. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
How do I check a site?
Look it up on your state regulator’s list of licensed operators. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.
Sources
- Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Licensed online casinos and live dealer studios
- Michigan Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Licensed online gaming operators
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement · accessed Oct 15, 2026Gaming and sports wagering rules
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER