Live Casino Games Explained: High-RTP Tables, Game Shows and AU Law

Live casino games are one of the most popular categories at online casinos overseas, although online casino games cannot legally be offered to people in Australia (see “Live Casino Games in Australia” below). Roulette, baccarat, live game shows and many other casino games are streamed live, giving you the atmosphere of being at a real casino.

What You Will Learn

• How live casino games work and how they differ from RNG table games
• Popular live versions of roulette, baccarat and blackjack, and popular live game shows
• The law on live casino games in Australia

This article takes about 16 minutes to read.

What Is a Live Casino?

A live casino offers table games such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack that are run by a real dealer. The games are streamed live from studios operated by game providers, and players place their bets while watching the stream.

In RNG table games, a computer decides each outcome with a random number generator. In live games, a real dealer deals the cards and spins the roulette wheel, creating an atmosphere close to a land-based casino. The chips, stakes and betting areas are virtual, and each player can bet freely.

Online casinos license the live stream from the providers that supply live games. Players’ wins and losses are covered not by the provider but by the online casino that broadcasts the stream.

Many tables have high betting limits, and large amounts can change hands in a single round.

Cheating and Safety in Live Casino Games

Is the stream really live? Could the dealer be moving the roulette ball with magnets or manipulating the cards? Many players have questions like these about live casino games.

Third-Party Testing and Licensing

Slots determine results digitally, but in live games, steps such as dealing the cards and launching the ball are done by hand. This may seem to leave more room for cheating, but live casino games have several safeguards against it.

The way each game is run and its results are checked by independent testing bodies, and if cheating is found, the auditors report it. Providers of live casino games also hold licences from government regulators and are required to run their games under regulatory rules.

Online casinos only have a contract with the live game provider to show its stream, so the casino has no way to interfere with how the provider runs the game. Because the games are subject to both third-party testing and licensing rules, the risk of tampering is very low.

How Online Casinos Differ for Live Games

Online casino games cannot be offered to people in Australia, but in markets where they are permitted, sites are usually compared on the following points for live games.

Number of Live Game Providers and Range of Games

Almost every online casino now offers live casino games. Sites that do not focus on them, however, often carry live games from Evolution only.

Sites that specialise in live casino games offer live games from a range of providers. Sites with many live game providers and tables offer the widest choice. Tables that are hard to find elsewhere, such as multilingual tables or tables exclusive to one casino, also make a difference.

Live Game RTP

Live games already have a high return to player (RTP), so the RTP of the table itself matters more than any add-on.

Payment Methods and Withdrawal Times

Bets on live games can be large, so the payment methods available and how long withdrawals take are important points of difference.

In markets where these sites are permitted, withdrawal speed, even for large amounts, is one of the main points players compare.

Popular Live Casino Games

Live casinos offer a large number of games, so at first it can be hard to know which one to choose. The games below are all well-established live games that many casinos offer.

Live Roulette

Most people know roulette by name, even if they have never played in a casino. The wheel has pockets numbered 0 to 36, and the dealer launches a single ball onto it. Players predict which pocket the ball will land in and are paid if the prediction is correct.

The way to win is easy to understand, so first-timers can start playing right away. The tension of the moment the ball drops into a pocket is something only live games offer.

The best-known bets in roulette are red and black, but you can also bet on a single number, such as 1. This straight-up bet wins less often but pays 35 to 1, so an A$10 bet wins $350. In Lightning Roulette (see below), a straight-up bet normally pays 29 to 1, but if its number is chosen as a Lucky Number it pays 49 to 1 up to 499 to 1 (50x to 500x including your stake).

Popular Live Roulette Games

Lightning Roulette

Provider

Evolution

RTP

97.10–97.30%

Minimum bet

$0.20

Maximum bet

$2,000

Max win

500x

Live Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the most popular live games, and bets per round tend to be large.

In baccarat, two hands, the Player hand and the Banker hand, are each dealt two (or three) cards, and the hand whose total is closer to 9 wins (only the last digit of the total counts, so 15 counts as 5). You predict which hand will win. A winning Player bet pays 1 to 1, so a $10 bet wins $10. A winning Banker bet also pays 1 to 1 but has a 5% commission deducted, so a $10 bet wins $9.50 and you get $19.50 back in total.

Although the rules are simple, players have long discussed methods such as betting systems, reading the scoreboard and card counting. These methods only change the swings in your results (variance) and how quickly your bankroll shrinks; they do not change the house edge itself. Baccarat is enjoyed by beginners and experienced players alike.

Popular Live Baccarat Games

Golden Wealth Baccarat

Provider

Evolution

RTP

98.85%

Minimum bet

$1

Maximum bet

$50,000

Max win

Varies with the Golden Cards (multipliers of 2x, 3x, 5x and 8x combine)

Live Blackjack

Of all live games, blackjack is the one in which the player’s decisions have the greatest influence on the result. The dealer and each player are first dealt two cards.

Players can hit (draw more cards), split or double down, and then stand. The hand closer to 21 wins, but a hand that reaches 22 or more busts and loses.

Blackjack has a correct action for every situation, and following it brings you close to the game’s theoretical RTP of over 99%. At online casinos you can play with a strategy chart listing these actions in front of you, which makes it easier to avoid costly mistakes. Even with an RTP of over 99%, however, you will still lose over the long run.

Popular Live Blackjack Games

Infinite Blackjack

Provider

Evolution

RTP

99.47%

Minimum bet

$1

Maximum bet

$200

Max win

3 to 2 (natural blackjack)

Live Poker

Live poker suits players who want to take their time over a card game. Unlike standard poker, in which players compete against each other, live poker is played against the dealer.

It is offered at fewer casinos, and fewer players are familiar with the rules.

Popular Live Poker Games

Triple Card Poker

Provider

Evolution

RTP

96.60%

Minimum bet

$1

Maximum bet

$1,000

Max win

Depends on the hand (ante bonus pays up to 5 to 1)

Casino Hold’em

Provider

Ezugi

RTP

97.80%

Minimum bet

$0.50

Maximum bet

$500

Max win

Depends on the hand (ante pays up to 100 to 1)

Game Shows

Live game shows are a category that more and more online casinos are adding.

Unlike table games such as roulette and baccarat, they use large wheels and other draw mechanisms and offer much higher multipliers, and they are played by players at every stake level. Bonus round payouts are already built into the RTP, so a bonus win is not an extra gain on top of it.

A growing number of casinos now offer live game shows known as money wheels, in which a large wheel is spun to determine payouts or bonus games. This section covers money wheel games.

Popular Game Shows

Crazy Time

Provider

Evolution

RTP

94.33–96.08% (varies by bet; 96.08% on the 1)

Minimum bet

$0.10

Maximum bet

$1,000

Max win

Varies by bonus (payouts capped at €500,000 or the equivalent in your currency)

In Crazy Time, a large wheel is spun, and when it stops on a bonus segment, you play one of four bonus games. In one, the Pachinko bonus, a puck drops down a pegboard into multiplier slots; in another, a giant wheel is spun to decide the payout.

It is a widely offered live game show that has drawn attention for some very large recorded wins.

Monopoly Live

Provider

Evolution

RTP

91.30–96.23% (varies by bet; 96.23% on the 2)

Minimum bet

$0.10

Maximum bet

$2,500

Max win

– (varies by operator)

As the name suggests, the bonus round in Monopoly Live is played on a Monopoly board. The dice are rolled, the token moves forward by the number rolled, and you win the multiplier on the square where it lands. In some rounds an extra multiplier is applied, and the game is also known for some very large wins.

Three Live Casino Games with a High RTP

Many live casino games already have a high RTP, and the three below are among the highest. Their expected losses are smaller than those of other games. The house edge does not disappear, however, and you will still lose over the long run.

Speed Blackjack: RTP 99.29%

Provider

Evolution

RTP

99.29%

Minimum bet

$50

Maximum bet

$5,000

Max win

3 to 2 (natural blackjack)

Played with basic strategy, standard live blackjack tables have an RTP of about 99.3–99.5%, while variants range from about 98.5% to 99.7%. The number of seats does not change the expected value, so the factors to choose by are how quickly each hand is played and the minimum bet. Side bets have a much higher house edge, so treat them as an optional extra rather than part of your main play, or avoid them.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Speed Baccarat: RTP 98.94%

Provider

Evolution

RTP

98.94%

Minimum bet

$1

Maximum bet

$50,000

Max win

8 to 1 (Tie)

Baccarat RTP also varies little between tables, but the Banker bet in commission baccarat is the option with the smallest expected loss. Reading the scoreboard or counting cards cannot tell you when the odds are in your favour.

The house edge is about 1.06% on the Banker bet and about 1.24% on the Player bet. In no-commission baccarat, the house edge on the Banker bet rises to about 1.46%, so at those tables the Player bet keeps your losses lower.

Speed Baccarat is a good choice because rounds are played quickly. We recommend not placing side bets.

Auto-Roulette La Partage: RTP 98.65%

Provider

Evolution

RTP

98.65%

Minimum bet

$0.10

Maximum bet

$2,000

Max win

35 to 1

It is well known that European roulette is a better choice than American roulette. You can go a step further by choosing a table that uses the French roulette rule known as la partage.

Under la partage, if you have placed an even-money bet such as red or black (which pays 1 to 1) and the ball lands on 0, half of your bet is returned. At tables with this rule, even-money bets such as red/black have an RTP of 98.65%, which keeps your losses lower than at a standard European roulette table. Choose one of these tables when you can.

Popular Live Casino Game Providers

Nearly 20 providers offer live casino games. Below are the two that are offered at the largest number of casinos.

Evolution

Evolution is the most widely offered live casino provider. Its catalogue is large, and many players play only this provider’s games.

In recent years it has focused especially on developing live game shows, and popular money wheel games such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Live are Evolution titles.

Another feature is that you can place very large bets in a single round, and some of its baccarat tables accept bets of up to $50,000. Evolution’s tables suit a wide range of players, from beginners to high rollers.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Pragmatic Play Live

Pragmatic Play, a provider also known for its popular slots, makes live games that are now offered at a large number of casinos.

Besides classic table games such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack, it covers a wide range of genres, including versions that build on the classic games and money wheel games.

The most popular live game show from Pragmatic Play Live is Sweet Bonanza CandyLand.

The game is based on the world of the popular slot Sweet Bonanza, and when you win the bonus, you play actual Sweet Bonanza free spins.

Four Reasons to Play Live Casino Games

Live casino games attract larger bets than slots and most other genres. Here are four reasons players choose them.

(1) An Atmosphere Close to a Land-Based Casino, at Any Time

The defining feature of live casino games is the sense of being at the table. Online casinos used to have no way of letting you watch baccarat or roulette being played right in front of you, as you would at a land-based casino.

In live casino games, cards are dealt, dice are rolled and the roulette ball spins in front of you as it happens. The atmosphere and sense of immersion come close to those of a land-based casino, and the games run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, on a phone or computer.

A growing number of live games also break with the conventions of traditional table games, using giant wheels and offering very high payouts, which gives players even more ways to enjoy live casinos.

(2) Chat with the Dealer and Other Players

Live casino games have a chat feature. You can talk with players from around the world or speak to the dealer, and dealers will often reply to friendly messages.

Like social media, however, the chat can be read by players all over the world, so do not post any information that could identify you.

(3) A High RTP That Helps Keep Losses Down

Return to player (RTP) is a theoretical figure that shows how much of the amount wagered is paid back on average. For example, a game designed to return $98 on average for every $100 bet has an RTP of 98%.

As mentioned above, the best live games reach an RTP of over 99%. That is higher than tote betting on horse racing or casino slots. Because it is still below 100%, however, you will lose over the long run.

(4) Tools, Notes and Strategy Charts You Cannot Use in a Land-Based Casino

Table games such as baccarat and blackjack have their own methods of play, including strategy, card counting and betting systems. Land-based casinos often restrict the use of electronic devices at the table, so it can be difficult to play while checking a strategy chart on your phone.

At an online casino, players are free to check their phone and take notes, and can play with a strategy chart in front of them. These are tools for managing your bankroll and playing more accurately; they do not change the house edge itself. Online play also lets players play casually on a phone or computer at home instead of travelling to a casino.

Things to Keep in Mind When Playing Live Casino Games

Unlike RNG table games and slots, a live game is played by many players at the same time. This brings a few points to watch that do not apply to other games.

You Need a Stable Internet Connection

Live games use a large amount of data, so a stable internet connection is essential.

Use Wi-Fi whenever possible. You can also play over 4G or 5G, but because the video stream is received continuously, data usage is high. Public Wi-Fi connections tend to be unstable, so a reliable connection, such as the one at home, is the safer choice.

Even if you can open a live game, an unstable connection can cause problems during play: the video may cut out, a bet may not be accepted, or a bet you cancelled may still be accepted.

If you are unsure about your connection speed, we recommend setting the video quality to low in the settings.

There Is a Time Limit for Placing Bets

In table games that are not live, such as RNG baccarat, you can start each round whenever you like. In live games, however, betting is open only for a limited time, and betting closes after about 10–20 seconds.

If you raise and lower your bets according to a betting system, your bet may not be placed in time for the next round. Decide in advance how much you will bet on the next round, and place your chips before betting closes.

Most Tables Are Run in English

Most live tables are run in English, including the dealer’s explanations and replies to chat messages, so language is not a barrier for English speakers.

Some providers also run tables in other languages, and the on-screen instructions can be shown in the language you have selected.

Live Games Cannot Be Played for Free

Slots and non-live table games can be played for free with play-money chips. Live games have no free-play mode, so real-money chips are always needed to play.

On sites that offer live games, registered players can usually open a live game and watch it without betting, which is enough to get a feel for the atmosphere. Placing bets requires real money.

Live Casino Games in Australia

Live casino games are streamed over the internet, so in Australia they are treated as online casino games and the same rules apply to them. This section explains what that means for you.

The Law on Online Live Casino Games in Australia

Online gambling is regulated at the federal level by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which is enforced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Under this Act, it is illegal to provide online casino games to people in Australia. This includes live dealer casino games and live game shows, as well as online roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker and online pokies (poker machines, also called slot machines). It is also generally illegal to advertise these services to Australians. The law is aimed at the businesses that provide or advertise these services.

The ACMA asks Australian internet service providers to block illegal offshore gambling websites and the affiliate websites that promote them.

In Australia, table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat and, at some venues, wheel games are played in person at state-licensed casinos, with a real dealer at a real table. Legal online gambling in Australia includes betting on horse racing and sport with providers licensed in an Australian state or territory, and lotteries.

Age, Safer Gambling and Getting Help

The minimum age for gambling in Australia is 18. Land-based gambling, including casinos and pokies in clubs and hotels, is regulated by each state and territory, so venue rules can differ depending on where you live.

If you play table games at a casino, set a budget and a time limit before you start, and stop when you reach either one. Even games with a high RTP still have a house edge.

BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register is a free Australian Government service that lets you exclude yourself from all licensed Australian online and phone wagering providers in one step, for a period from 3 months up to a lifetime. It covers betting, not land-based venues; casinos, clubs and hotels are covered by their own state and territory exclusion programs.

If gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you, call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. It is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Gambling Help Online also offers live chat and email counselling.

Summary: Start with High-RTP Table Games

Live casino games are one of the most popular genres at online casinos overseas, and in Australia the same table games are played in person at state-licensed casinos. Table games such as roulette, baccarat and blackjack are run by real dealers on a live stream, and you can watch the action and bet in real time.

Live game shows, an entirely new kind of live game, are also available today, and their giant wheels, bonus rounds and chance of a big win have made them popular.

Most of these games are easy to follow after a single round. Starting with high-RTP table games helps keep losses down, but because the RTP is still below 100%, you will lose over the long run. Only play with money you can afford to lose.