Should I play at a live online casino?
Not so long ago, I was asking myself this very question. Now that I’ve had my first live casino experience online, I felt inspired to share some of the things about it I’ve learned in an FAQ-style post. If that same question has been rattling around in your mind, or if you’re simply curious about answers to common questions asked about this type of iGaming entertainment, this post is for you.
Wondering what I thought about my first live casino experience or curious to know which games I played? You can find that out here. Don’t care and just want to get straight to the FAQs? Read on!
Live Caino FAQ
What is a live casino?
It is a type of online casino experience that allows players to virtually participate in real-world casino games taking place in real time at a licensed land-based gambling studio.
Players gain access to these games via their computer or mobile device through an online casino that offers live casino software.
How do live casinos work?
The live online casino games are streamed via high-quality (HD or 4K) webcasting technology from a licensed gambling studio in real time. Most games – especially live table games – are broadcasted via multiple cameras, allowing you to switch the view so you can view the game from different angles.
A professional live dealer or live game show host runs the game. This individual is typically dressed in an outfit that complements the atmosphere or theme of the game (e.g., a blackjack live dealer might wear a formal suit or dress while a Crazy Time game show host wears a more dramatic outfit). The live dealer knows the ins and outs of the game they’re running, interacts with players, and is essentially responsible for the entire flow of the experience.
Live dealers watch a monitor that allows them to see what we (the players) can see on our screens. This makes it possible for them to follow the bets being made as well as view messages from players participating in the live chat, which they may answer in the stream.
One of the coolest live casino game technologies is the cameras used to capture the game have integrated Optical Camera Recognition. This tech records every detail the dealer makes and translates all the cards, numbers, and symbols during the game into data. This data is sent to players and displayed on their screen. This same tech is what makes it possible for the live casino software to recognize which players have won or lost and instantly award winnings or deduct lost bets.
How to play live casino online?
It’s just as easy to play at an Ontario live casino as it is to play at a real money online casino.
- Start by signing up at a legitimate Ontario online casino that offers live casino games.
- Make a deposit (you will need to bet real money to play).
- Choose a game from the live casino lobby.
- Enter a screen name (this screenname will be displayed in the live chat and you can change it at any time).
- Place your bet(s).
That’s essentially the gist of how to play live casino online. However, here are two additional points you might find useful to know:
- You can watch the game at any time – if you don’t want to participate in a round or if you don’t place your bet within the allotted betting time (it’s usually about 10 seconds or less), you can watch a round play out.
- You can access the game rules at any time – game rules and info can typically be found in one of the buttons located at a top corner or side of the game screen (see screenshot below as an example).
What casino games can I play live?
For the most part, options in Ontario include:
- Live Blackjack (e.g., Infinite Blackjack, VIP Blacjack, Quantum Blackjack)
- Live Baccarat (e.g.,Speed Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, Grand Baccarat)
- Live Roulette (e.g., European Roulette, Lightning Roulette, Mega Roulette)
- Live Poker (e.g., Three Card Brag, Casino Hold’em, Caribbean Poker)
- Live Dragon Tiger
- Live Andar Bahar
- Live Sic Bo
- Live Game Shows (e.g., Crazy Time, Dreamcatcher, Adventures in Wonderland, etc.)
As is always the case, live game availability depends on where you play.
Are live casino games real?
Yes. They are real and are broadcasted and occur in real time. Don’t believe it? Make sure the game isn’t muted and chat with a dealer or read comments from other players in the chat, and you’ll see the dealer respond to many of them right before your eyes (and ears!).
In case your curious about how a live casino game plays out, here’s a short YouTube video of Crazy Time from Evolution (Note: I wanted to show a video from the provider’s official channel, however, the clip shows a big win. Please keep in mind that the chances of hitting a big win like this is verrrry low – this video is only meant to serve as an example of what the game looks like in action, it is not an example of a typical experience – always bet within your budget).
Are live casinos safe?
They are as safe and secure as the online casino where you choose to play live dealer games. This same answer can be applied to the question, “are live casinos legit?” Basically, make sure the Ontario online casino where you choose to play is licensed and regulated. Not sure, which ones are? Look for the iGaming Ontario logo, which should be displayed on the casino’s site. You can also check to see if the online casino is on the official iGO regulated operators list.
Do live casino games really pay out?
Yes. Payouts work just like they do for any other game you play at the online casino. When you win, the money is added directly to your player account. If you want to make a withdrawal, this is taken care of by the online casino through the usual channels via the Cashier.
What live casino software providers are in Ontario?
Although there are actually several live casino software providers in the global iGaming industry, in Ontario, the three main providers are:
Where is live casino located?
It depends on where the provider has their live gambling studios. Examples of locations include (but are not limited to) Latvia, Spain, Malta, Ireland, Philippines, and Costa Rica. The games I played by Evolution during my live casino Ontario experience were broadcasted from Latvia.
Of course, it doesn’t matter from where the game is broadcasted. If it’s being made available to Ontario players, it’s subject to the same regulations as any other online casino product that is legally permitted.
Are live casinos 24/7?
Yes. You can play these games at your leisure any time of the day or night.
How do I contact live casino customer service?
If you have a live casino issue that needs to be addressed, simply get in touch with the online casino customer support team, just as you normally would if you were playing traditional online games.
There isn’t a separate live casino customer service, and keep in mind that the live dealer/game host isn’t there to function as live support either.
Can I play live casino on mobile?
Yup! You can play live casino games from any compatible device including Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. I don’t, simply because I prefer a larger screen.😆
Are live casino games the same everywhere?
No. Just like fully digital online casino games, the type of live games and their available features depends on if they’re permitted in Ontario.
The reality is that not all game features are available in Ontario. For instance, Crazy Time has an auto play feature (like the one in slot games). However, due to Ontario’s responsible gambling regulations, this feature is not available for Ontario players.
To be honest, the only reason I learned that auto play was an option for Crazy Time is that the host commented about the feature to remind players it was available if it was allowed where they play. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known, because if a feature isn’t allowed, it simply doesn’t exist as a visual option in the game.
On a personal note, while I don’t typically care that there is no autoplay function in Ontario online casino games, I can see why it might be nice to have access to it in live games at times. Why? The difference with regular online casino games is you have all the time in the world to make your choice. In live games, bets must be placed within a very short time. So, if you want to make the same bet five times in a row, it’s much easier to have autoplay take care of it.
Can I play live casino games free?
No. You cannot play live casino game demos (at least I’ve never found any) like you can with other free online casino games. What you can do is watch games play out without taking part. This is a good way to learn the speed of the game, how it functions, and also have a look at the rules, before deciding if you want to take part in the real money fun.
Also, in order to watch a game, you will need to be logged into your online casino account.
What happens if I’m disconnected during gameplay?
Though they are not the norm, disconnections during live casino gameplay can and do happen from time to time (e.g., you lose your internet connection, etc.). Since the games never stop – whether you’re connected or not – live casino software providers have disconnection policies in place for their games to ensure fairness.
For many live games, being disconnected shouldn’t be a big problem. For instance, if you’re playing games like live roulette, live baccarat, or live game shows, after your bet has been placed, no further action is typically required after that point. As such, other than being a nuisance, your disconnection won’t impact the outcome of the game. The downside is that you won’t have seen it happen in real time. Once you’re reconnected, you’ll either have be awarded your winnings if your bet won or your balance will be deducted if it lost.
However, for games where action is required after the initial bet, such as in live blackjack and live poker, the disconnection policy that applies can differ depending on the software provider. For instance:
- Evolution live blackjack – If disconnected, your bet will automatically count as a “Stand” and the game continues. Once re-connected, you won’t be able to finish the hand. You will either have won or lost based on the outcome of the dealer’s hand.
- Playtech live blackjack – If disconnected, you will have the chance to finish the hand when you re-connect by automatically being directed to the non-live version of the game you were playing. That said, if you happened to see the cards the dealer drew for that game after you lost connection, to prevent cheating, these same cards will not be used in the non-live version you play to complete the game.
Ultimately, it’s a good idea to know the full disconnection policies that apply to the live casino games you play. Additionally, if you are ever concerned about a connection issue or cannot rejoin the game, report the problem to the online casino customer support team.
Live Casino FAQ – Quick Recap
☑️You must enter a screen name (which you can change at any time)
☑️You can mute the game and the talking dealer/host
☑️You can read the live chat and participate (participation is optional)
☑️You can easily view and access all available live casino games from the lobby
☑️You can read the rules of the game at any time
☑️You only have a short, limited time (usually 10 seconds or less) to place bets
☑️You can watch games playout without needing to participate
☑️You can not demo live casino games in a free play mode
☑️Not all game features may be available in your jurisdiction
☑️If you have an issue with your live casino Canada experience, contact your online casino’s customer support
☑️If the game freezes or disconnects while you’re playing, simply re-load it. Depending on where the game froze/disconnected you will either have your bet returned or you will continue the game where you left off.
☑️Live casinos are as safe, responsible, fair, and legit as the online casino where you play
Until next time, good luck and have fun.
Mia 👩💻
*All links and images in this post are for informational purposes only. I am not affiliated with PlayOJO, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, or Playtech.
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