Live casino games guide
Do you know that from your own home, you can enjoy the same casino experience as you would in casinos in Cape Town, Jo'burg, Durban, and other cities? Yes, live casino games are the favourites of every player who doesn't want to compromise on that feeling of being at a land-based casino.
In this ultimate live casino guide, we will show you all there is to know about live casino gaming. At the end of this piece, we will give you free tips on getting started with live casino games in South Africa.
By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2024/04/23 - Estimated reading time: 13 minutes.
Table of contents
- » Live casino games
- » What Are Live Casino Games?
- » How Live Casino Games Work?
- » How to Play Live Casino Games
- » Advantages of Live Casino Gaming
- » The Most Common Live Dealer Game in the Best Casinos
- » Most Popular Live Casino Software Providers
- » Safety, Security, and Fairness of Live Dealer Casinos
- » Using Cryptocurrencies to Play Live Dealers
- » Playing in Live Casinos with Mobile Devices
- » Getting Started with Live Dealers in South Africa
- » How To Bet Responsibly on Live Casino Floor Games
- » Frequently Asked Questions about Live Casino
Best Live Casinos
- GamesAmount of games offered900Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option2518+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R10. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered400Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option2218+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R25. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered225Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option1718+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R100. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered5000Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option2218+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R400. T&C apply.
- GamesAmount of games offered425Jackpot PokiesAmount of slots with jackpot option3418+. New customers only. Minimum deposit R345. T&C apply.
Live casino games
What Are Live Casino Games?
Live casino games refer to those online games that use real-time video streaming to connect players to a live dealer. While electronic games allow players to play their favorite games at any time, an online casino goes a step further by giving a similar experience to what players get at traditional casinos.
Operators stream high-quality videos from a land-based casino or a studio belonging to the software providers. As a result, the live dealer can be a staff of both companies. Either way, the individuals are trained to allow interaction between them and players.
How doLive Casino Games Work?
Players access a real-time online casino game from their mobile phone, PC, or tablet. As mentioned above, operators use studio setups or land-based casino connections. The studio features gaming tables, cameras, and other necessary equipment. With this, the show producers attempt to simulate a real gambling environment. In contrast, live streaming directly from a real casino provides a more authentic environment.
The live casino table features at least three cameras – each camera focuses on the cards, dealer, and the overall table. The operator then uses a unique software technology to stream high-quality videos from the table. In turn, real-life croupiers operate card games, spin the roulette wheel, and other game elements.
Players access the live stream through an online platform the casino provides. At the same time, they use the betting interface to place bets. The interface often features virtual chips that represent different denominations. Hence, players drag and drop them on the virtual table.
The casino uses random number generators to ensure an unbiased outcome for games that involve card shuffling or a similar outcome. Finally, players communicate with dealers and other players via the chat function.
How to Play Live Casino Games
Live dealer games in live casinos in South Africa operate the same way as other titles in a casino’s gaming library. Follow these steps to start playing in real-time:
- Visit a reputable online casino site that offers live dealer games.
- Create an account by providing your personal information.
- Deposit money into the account via your preferred deposit channel.
- Navigate to the live casino section of the site. Most casinos display it as a header on the homepage or in the section containing other games.
- Choose a game and join a table that fits your preference.
- Place your bet and use the live chat feature to interact with the live dealer.
- Watch the live stream progress and cash out your winnings.
Advantages of Live Casino Gaming
Live dealers have characteristics that are a blend of traditional land casino games and electronic online games. As such, they create a balance between what is obtainable when playing land-based casino titles and electronic games at online casinos. All of these without stepping a foot out of your own home.
In this section, we shall explore some of the most prominent advantages of playing live casino titles.
Social Interaction
The ultimate casino experience may be at a land-based casino site, but playing live online casino titles offers a better social interaction that is non-existent in electronic games. The presence of live dealers and the opportunity to interact with other players make live games more interesting than electronic online casino titles. This is more desirable as opposed to interacting with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Privacy and Anonymity
Brick-and-mortar casinos, for the most part, are safe. However, due to limited physical exposure, live mobile gaming offers better safety, privacy, and anonymity. When South African players play live dealers, they don't have to worry about a fight breaking out or someone trying to cheat them out of their money. Likewise, players can decide to keep their activities anonymous in online casinos.
No-sign-up casinos allow players to play casino games without creating a traditional user account. Meanwhile, operators who request personal information for KYC support anonymous deposit and withdrawal channels. For example, Skrill, Paysafe, cryptocurrency, and more. Individuals who fund their accounts via these gateways enjoy complete anonymity, something you won’t find in a land-based casino.
Bonuses and Promotions
Online casinos provide players with bonuses and promotions that are not available at land-based casinos. They include the free welcome bonus, deposit bonus, reload bonus, cashback bonus, no deposit bonus, and lots more. These offers are usually not available to random players at land-based casinos.
Although some online casinos may exclude live blackjack and other events from the eligible games when using the free deposit bonus or welcome bonus, there's still a better chance of getting special bonuses than at traditional casinos.
Convenience and Cost Effectiveness
Visiting a physical casino site is a hassle. First, you need to transport yourself. Secondly, not all casinos are open 24/7. Other technicalities include moving cash, which poses a security risk. But in an online casino, you don’t need to dress up or take a cab. Instead, you can play games by sitting on a couch or from anywhere. This alone reduces cost and stress. What's more? Online casinos are open 24/7, and at every point in time, you are very likely to find your favourite live dealer casino games.
Wide Game Selection
Live casinos offer a rich selection of games, including classic table games, game shows and others from top software providers. The number of games outnumbers what is available at traditional casinos as there are limited tables and machines. This reduces the options available to many players, who may have to wait their turn or visit a new casino if they do not find their preferred game. Finally, online casinos offer wide bet ranges, thus allowing both high rollers and people with smaller bankrolls to play.
Improved Cinematic Experience
There are different live dealer games, and they are all customisable, improving the gaming experience. An example is the multi-camera baccarat, which offers better visual quality. With this, operators can choose the number of cameras and shot angles that they want. This feature and others like it are not available in electronic games. In this case, online casinos and players have to make do with what the software provider produces.
The Most Common Live Dealer Game in the Best Casinos
To play live dealer games, navigate to the "Live Casino" or "Live Dealer." Here, you will find different live titles you can play and variants of each game produced by different software providers. Here are some of the most popular games you will find in live dealer casinos:
- Live Blackjack: The goal of online Blackjack is to beat the dealer's hand by having a hand that is close to or equal to 21 without exceeding it on the game table. Some examples of real cards live blackjack in online casinos are Speed Blackjack, Multiplayer Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, etc.
- Live Baccarat: Baccarat is another popular card game where the objective is to have a hand value equal to or close to 9. Live dealer casinos that offer baccarat have a live dealer who coordinates the game, and players can interact with other players. Some examples are Lightning Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, Squeeze Baccarat, etc.
- Live Roulette: Live Roulette provides players with the excitement of placing bets on a spinning wheel. The roulette wheel has a range of betting options that allow players to wager on numbers, colours, or specific combinations in pursuit of a potential win from the game dealer. Variants of Live Roulette are American Roulette, European Roulette, Speed Roulette, etc.
- Live Poker: Players love poker for various reasons. Here, individuals have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in different poker variations, competing against both the dealer and fellow players. This engaging game entails strategic decision-making and incorporates psychological elements into the gameplay.
These are the most popular categories of live dealer games you can play to win real money at most casinos. Another game that you may find is Monopoly. Others you can play while sitting down in your home include Dream Catcher, and Sic Bo, to name a few.
Most Popular Live Casino Software Providers
Many game providers make live dealer games available for casino play. The different providers also mean that there will be variants of the games at live casinos. Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play are the two leading providers when it comes to real dealer games.
The games from these providers feature high-quality live streaming, interactive features, and a variety of betting limits. The real dealers are professional. Together with the casino atmosphere, you'll feel like you are physically present at the casino.
Here is a list of some famous game providers that engage in the design and making of popular casino games:
- Evolution Gaming
- Pragmatic Play
- Playtech
- Microgaming
- Ezugi
Safety, Security, and Fairness of Live Dealer Casinos
Games in live dealer casinos in South Africa are generally safe, secure, and fair to play. However, you must ensure you are playing them on the right platforms. The first thing to note is the SSL encryption technology used on the platform you want to play on. This technology ensures that the personal and financial data that you put on the internet platform are protected. To confirm if a website is SSL secured, check for the padlock logo in the address bar. If you don't see it, it is not a safe platform.
The next step is to ensure that the online casino is duly licensed to operate a live dealer game in the country. If you do not see any reputable gaming authority licence, you shouldn't trust such a casino. The live dealers also have to be professionals and must not engage in any form of scheming. Finally, the games must be certified to have passed the standard Random Number Generator (RNG) tests. This ensures that everything is random and not manipulated by the software provider or casino.
Using Cryptocurrencies to Play Live Dealers
Cryptocurrency is an alternative payment option for playing games with real dealers. If the casino supports cryptocurrencies, you can use them for gaming. Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Tether, Ripple, Binance Coin, and more are often accepted by casinos.
That said, below are some important considerations when using cryptocurrency for live mobile gaming in South Africa:
- Cryptocurrencies offer security and anonymity.
- Certain casino bonuses like the free welcome bonus can be obtained when using cryptocurrency.
- Keep in mind that cryptocurrencies are subject to volatility.
Playing in Live Casinos with Mobile Devices
Playing in live dealer casinos involves streaming high-definition video on your devices. The feature allows South African players to observe close-up shots and wide-angle views of the table, dealer, and surroundings in live casinos. In a world where mobile devices are a very important part of our lives, leading live casinos strive to create an immersive atmosphere that mimics the experience of being in a physical casino and still optimizes it for the use of mobile devices.
The casinos use HTML5 to ensure smooth gameplay on mobile devices, including iOS, Android, and Windows phones and tablets. However, certain device qualities can influence the gaming experience. They are:
- Internet Speed
- Your device's processor
- The screen size of your device
Not to worry, most live casinos state the specifications for using their mobile application on their website. Hence, we recommend you check it out to know if your smartphone or PC is compatible.
Online Casinos with the most live casino games
Casino | Amount of live games | Play |
---|---|---|
Lucky Days | 16 | Play now |
Tusk Casino | 16 | Play now |
Europa Casino | 14 | Play now |
Lucky Dreams | 11 | Play now |
Silversands casino | 11 | Play now |
Getting Started with Live Dealers in South Africa
Now that you know the most important things about playing live games, it's time to get started. In this section, we will give you a step-by-step guide on how to get the best out of online casino games as a player based in South Africa.
Choose Reputable Casino
If you want to get the best out of online casino games, it is vital to register with the right casino. A reputable casino is properly licensed, has reliable payment methods, provides good customer support, and gives various promotional offers to players. To make things easier for you, check out our article on the best online casinos in South Africa. The live casinos have been properly tested by our online gambling experts and they came up with an honest review.
Understand the Game of Your Choice
If you're a newbie to online casino games, you must first learn how to play the game of your choice. One way to do this is to read the game's rules and understand what will be expected of you. You can also play the free games in demo mode. While it is rare for online casinos to permit playing live dealer games for free, you can play those games in their electronic forms without paying real money. This allows you to understand the game better and build your strategy for when you decide to play the live dealer game. On the downside, you cannot withdraw any real money you earn from games played in the free mode.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Start Playing
Casino welcome bonuses allow you to make extra real money without spending more than what you have planned to use in gambling. Before accepting a free gift, ensure that the game is among the eligible games. You should also check their percentage contribution to meeting the wagering requirement. Not only this, but also pay attention to the time limit. At this point, you are now ready to start playing your desired live casino game. Remember that while online gambling is entertaining, you should always bet responsibly.
How To Bet Responsibly on Live Casino Floor Games
Gambling is not a means to become wealthy or settle a financial burden. Sadly, most players lose track of this due to the excitement. As a result, they spiral into debt, addiction, and various gambling problems. Pay attention to the following to remain responsible in casinos:
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Use a separate bank account or e-wallet for gambling transactions.
- Set deposit and time betting limits for your live casino sessions.
- Don’t chase losses in an attempt to recover them, as it leads to more losses.
- Set winning and betting limits and cash out a portion of the real money.
- Take periodic breaks during gaming sessions.
- Don’t gamble under the influence of alcohol or substances.
- Contact support and use on-site responsible betting tools like self-exclusion if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Live Casino
Who is a Live dealer?
A live dealer is the casino staff who coordinates live casino games from the studio or land-based casino site. Players watch the individual take action in real time.
What kind of games will I find in the Live casino section?
The most popular live dealer casino games in the world are classic table games like roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and poker.
Are Live casino games safe?
Yes, live casino games handled by a live dealer are safe to play. As long as the software provider and casino have been properly licensed to operate.
Can I play Live dealer casino games for free?
In most casinos, you cannot play live dealer games for free. However, you'll be able to play electronic games in free mode.
Can I use bonuses to play Live casino games?
Yes, you can use bonuses to play live games. Just make sure that live casino games are among the eligible games.