From Studio to Casino: How Do Live Dealer Games Work?
Live dealer games have come a long way since their humble beginnings in a small Dublin casino.
From one or two blackjack tables connected by webcam, the best live casinos now boast immersive graphics, full live chat, and in-game online casino bonuses. You can even play at real-life tables on actual gaming floors halfway around the world.
Let’s take a look at how live casino dealer games work, and how they have revolutionized the way players can get the full experience without hitting Las Vegas.
The cutting-edge technology behind live dealer games
- Tracking software instantly displays the next card or roulette table result
- Software is independently tested for accuracy and fairness
- Safeguards if your live casino game crashes
Live casinos offer an in-person gambling experience without you having to set foot in a casino. That’s why they’re ideal if you have no access to a brick-and-mortar casino in your state, or you live hundreds of miles from the nearest resort.
You can play games familiar to U.S. casinos, such as live American Roulette. Alternatively, try variants you’ll only find overseas, such as live Sic Bo and live French Roulette.
Optical character recognition and game control units
Live casino games use tracking and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software. From a studio, a trained croupier scans special cards that are tracked by sensors and displayed on-screen using the GCU (Game Control Unit). Similarly, OCR software can scan which roulette pocket the ball lands in.
The casino software then determines whether your bet wins or loses, and pays out immediately after each game. No physical chips are handled during the process.
System requirements for live dealer games
Live casinos work off live streams, which must run smoothly for the ultimate experience. It’s important to ensure you have a reliable internet connection and are running the right OS. Mobile live casinos usually require iOS 14 or Android 10 as standard.
- iPhone/iPad: iOS 14+
- Android 10+
- Desktop/browser: i3/AMD Ryzen 3
- Wi-Fi/internet connection with stable bandwidth
Placing bets in a live casino game
- Open a game on your smartphone or desktop
- Take a free seat, or be prompted by the host
- Choose stakes and place bets on your device
In a live casino game, you place bets on your phone or computer, just as you would in an RNG version. Sit down, select your stakes, and move chips to the areas you want to bet on.
In live roulette or a game show, there’s a cut-off to placing a bet — just like in a land-based casino. For card games like live blackjack, the dealer will deal out new cards depending on what option you select on your device. The computer calculates and pays out all winnings straight after the game.
Replicating the casino resort experience at home
There’s no fighting for a seat in a live dealer game: most online casinos offer multiple blackjack or baccarat tables with enough seats for everyone.
In a limited-seat game like blackjack, the dealer will prompt you if it’s your turn to play. Therefore, you should ensure the sound is on so you can follow the prompts.
Alternatively, you can chat with the dealer in real time using the on-screen chatbox. The dealer will read from their monitor and reply instantly. Casinos now offer a range of live table games to suit different native speakers.
How live dealer developers embrace technology in 2026
Advances in live dealer technology mean games are becoming more sophisticated. BetHog is investing $10 million in its AI live dealer games that are soaring in popularity.
Game shows like Lightning Roulette feature randomized bonuses that appear on-screen, enhancing the immersive experience. As technology improves and players’ appetite for new games grows, live casino developers continue to innovate.
