Is the nearest land-based casino so far away that there is very little chance you can actually experience games like Roulette, Blackjack and Poker? Luckily, modern online casinos are offering Live Casino games, where Kiwi players can play Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Poker and Live Baccarat, which are streamed live from a casino studio directly to either your desktop or mobile.
Live Casino games are run by a real croupier who spins the Roulette wheel and deals the cards, delivering the true casino experience right to your doorstep. These days the best online casinos in New Zealand offer a diverse selection of Live Casino games. That is why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to play Live Casino to share with our Kiwi players everything they need to know to play Live Casino games!
To make it easier for you to locate the best online casinos where you can play Live Casino, we’ve put together a shortlist of operators that offer a great selection of live dealer tables. Some of these casinos offer banded tables and they even have a set of promotions specifically for all those who prefer to play Live Casino.
Since you already have a list of online casinos where you can play Live Casino, we would like to share with you the kind of live dealer games you can enjoy. The choice often depends on the kind of deal the casino has with the provider but to give you a general idea of what is available we’ve compiled a list of the most popular Live Casino games with a short description of each.
Online Poker is usually enjoyed mostly through a variety of virtual Poker rooms which feature games linked to an RNG computer. With Live Poker, there is no computer to produce random results, but a human croupier leads the action. These days there are a number of variants of the original king of card games like Live Three Card Poker, Live Caribbean Stud Poker, Live Texas Hold’em and Live Casino Hold’em. Furthermore, you can join your favourite Live Poker table from anywhere you might be as they are streamed live on smartphones as well.
Blackjack is perhaps one of the most popular games of all time and Blackjack enthusiasts can rest assured that they won’t find a shortage of tables to join. The best Live Casinos would offer multiple tables of classic Live Blackjack with different betting limits and even specialized VIP tables for high-roller players who prefer to place large bets. The classic Blackjack is not the only type of Blackjack you can try out, however, as the best providers have come up with exciting variants to keep players engaged. Some of the variants you can play are Infinite Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, Common Draw Blackjack and Bet Behind Blackjack.
No casino, whether online or land-based, will ever dare open its doors without featuring a Roulette table. This game is considered a staple of every respectable casino and Live Casino providers have made sure to include it in their games repertoire. In fact, the best of them would have multiple Live Roulette tables with the ‘classics’ like European Roulette, American Roulette and French Roulette. But in a world where innovation is everything, you can expect to find a few innovative variants too like Immersive Roulette, Double Ball Roulette, Speed Roulette, Hippodrome Roulette and Auto Roulette.
There is quite a big difference between Live Roulette and RNG Roulette. The latter is a computerized version of the game which consists of the player playing against a computer. In Live Roulette, there is no computer to influence the outcome of the game. Instead, a live croupier spins the wheel in real-time, while multiple cameras set up before the table switch angles and zoom in on the spinning wheel to turn the experience as real as possible. Furthermore, at a Live Roulette table, there would be more than one player and you can communicate via chat both with them and the dealer.
Everyone has thrown a pair of dice at some point in their lives. Be it while playing some kind of board game or else for the simplest of betting games. A game of dice at the casino consists mainly of betting on the outcome of the next throw. Attached to the various numbers on the dice could be multipliers, which increase your bet if you happen to win.
Now, these are something you don’t usually find in a brick and mortar casino! With the success of Live Casino in general, providers started to come up with exciting new ideas. As a matter of fact, Live Casino shows are innovative games of chance some of which are based on traditional board games or popular TV shows. Unlike Roulette and card games, Live Casino shows still require the use of a Random Number Generator(RNG) computer, however, the show is led by a host and comes with many exhilarating special effects. At the best online casinos, you can play Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher, Lightning Roulette and Deal or No Deal.
Live Baccarat is also one of the most popular Live Casino games. It requires simpler strategy than poker or Blackjack and it is made more fun when you play against an actual dealer. Evolution Gaming, one the most prominent Live Casino providers, has come up with a wider selection of Live Baccarat like Live No Commission Baccarat (this version charges no commission over banker wins), Baccarat Squeeze (this version allows you to uncover the cards yourself), and Live Speed Baccarat (a fast-paced version of the game).
As you embark on a Live Casino journey you will discover that there are two types of Live Casino tables. Some online gambling platforms might feature both at the same time to add more diversity to the choice available. These consist either of studio tables or else of land-based tables.
As the name suggests, studio tables are set up in a large studio, elegantly decorated to resemble a land-based casino as much as possible. Casino tables can be found all over the studio, with markings pertaining to the particular game they’ve been set up for, or else with a Roulette wheel. Multiple cameras are usually set up in front of each table each operated by sophisticated software that switches automatically from angle to angle as the action progresses to give the best view of the game. The human dealers are always elegantly dressed to compliment the setting and the overall atmosphere. Evolution Gaming and NetEnt Live are two providers who stream such tables over numerous platforms.
Land-based casino tables, on the other hand, are based in a real brick and mortar casino. Many casinos are now opting to have a few tables streamed online at different operators’ platforms. Land-based tables are not usually located within the main rooms of the casino, but are set up in a separate area and equipped just like studio tables. This part of the casino is decorated just like the rest of the casino, with the brand logo clearly visible behind each table and each dealer wearing the official casino uniform. Authentic Gaming is one operator that specializes in land-based Live Casino tables, however, players can find individual tables by famous casinos like the Portomaso Casino in Malta and The Hippodrome in London.
There are plenty of advantages to experience when you play Live Casino games. If you’ve ever walked into a physical casino and enjoyed the elegant experience, then playing Live Casino games is as close as it gets to re-experience it all from the comforts of your home. But this is only one advantage and we can assure you that there are many more worth taking into consideration. That is why below we have listed down some of the advantages of playing Live Casino.
Joining a Live Casino table is not hard at all. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind and which are to a certain extent similar to land-based casinos. Just like land-based tables, Live Casino games have specific times when they open and a limited number of seats. Furthermore, different tables have different betting limits, and thus you want to make sure that the table you choose allows you to place bets you can afford. There are only a few steps to follow if you want to play Live Casino games and below we’ve put together a small checklist to help you join the table of your choice!
As you can see joining a Live Casino table is quite easy and can be done in a few simple steps. So, why don’t you choose a casino from our list of recommended operators and try it out!?
These days there are so many online casinos that it is very difficult to determine which are the best platforms to join. There are a number of factors that contribute to the best online casinos and these vary from the kind of games offered, any Live Casino related promotions available, VIP Program, and decent terms and conditions. But let us take a look at these factors in more detail!
Live Casino tables are run just like the ones we find in a land-based casino. A professional croupier hosts the games by spinning the Live Roulette wheel and deals the cards for Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker. This also means that winning odds are exactly the same as those found in brick and mortar casinos. There is also the possibility of communicating with the dealer and the other players through a live chat function that is available, something that is impossible when you are playing an RNG game and your opponent is a computer software.
To play Live Casino, players must first join a Live Casino table. Some tables run 24/7, while others start at specific times. The time of each game is usually displayed underneath each game, together with the betting limits, which might vary from game to game. There are also VIP tables for high-roller players or high-ranking VIP players.
Unlike RNG games, Live Casino does not come with a demo mode as the provider has to pay the dealer for managing the table. However, players who join the right online casino can still play free Live Casino games by claiming and using a casino bonus.
We can’t really explore the Live Casino world without taking a look at the most popular providers. Some of the names which are most well-known are Evolution Gaming, NetEnt Live, Playtech and Authentic Gaming. Online casinos tend to house games by only one provider, however, you can come across operators who might feature games by two or more.
Founded in 2006, Evolution Gaming is considered a world-leader in Live Casino games. With studios in 7 different countries, it offers the widest selection of Live Casino games in the market. Apart from the classic versions and variants of Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat and Live Poker, Evolution Gaming offers an interesting selection of Game Shows like Monopoly Live and Deal or No Deal. New games are often released by this operator, often sporting innovative ideas and something completely different from what we are used to. Most online casinos in New Zealand feature games exclusively by this provider, including our highly recommended casino, Royal Panda.
Operating since 1996, NetEnt earned a solid reputation by releasing online pokies of the highest quality. However, back in 2013, they branched out in the Live Casino sector and launched their very own studio. The choice of games by NetEnt is quite small compared to those by Evolution Gaming, however, over the last few years, NetEnt has made some significant achievements by releasing new titles like Live Blitz Blackjack, Live Perfect Blackjack, and Rapid Auto Roulette amongst others. With the release of these innovative games, NetEnt’s Live Casino tables are being featured side by side Evolution Gaming’s at many of the best online casinos.
You can play live games by NetEnt Live by joining Joy Casino
With its studios in Riga, Playtech prides itself on being ‘the largest live casino supplier in Europe and Asia’. This highly innovative provider is a world leader in Omni-Channel live software. Playtech offers numerous variants of Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and Live Baccarat. They have the fastest streaming services and one of the best setups in the industry.
Unlike all the other operators in this list, Authentic Gaming does not have its own studios, instead, it is focused on bringing to online casinos live streams of Roulette games from various land-based casinos situated all over the world. As a matter of fact, the Malta-based company offers Shipboard gaming, Live! Entertainment and Intra-Resort gaming.
With the future of online casinos clearly set on mobile, Live Casino providers have started to adopt their games to smartphones. Many of the Live Casino games can now be played from any device be it Android or iOS and can be launched through the web browser in Instant Play mode, while others are accessible through a mobile casino app. Players can still experience Live Casino as they would from their desktop computer, including placing bets and using the chat function to communicate with the dealer and fellow players. All that is needed to play Live Casino games is an internet connection and you can play from anywhere and at any time.
Many are those players who perhaps have held back from joining a Live Casino table out of fear that they might be rigged. Live Casino providers, especially the ones we have mentioned in this article are all licensed within a reputable gambling jurisdiction. Furthermore, the dealers themselves are not only fully trained but must obtain a gambling license to be able to manage a casino table. We also have to take into consideration the numerous cameras set up in front of the table which catches everything that happens at the table and which is viewed with great attention by every player.
It is always ideal to play with a casino that has obtained a license. Furthermore, if you chose one that features Live Casino games by any of the providers we’ve mentioned you can rest assured that you are playing with a reputable company whose whole success depends on its excellent reputation.
If you are ready to delve into the Live Casino world, we invite you to check out the online casinos we’ve recommended at the beginning of this article and which welcome players from New Zealand. Each platform offers numerous Live Casino games to try and some of them have even a generous welcome bonus waiting for Kiwi players!
A live dealer casino consists of online table games like Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and Baccarat, which are played with a real croupier and/or against other competitors in real-time. The game is streamed from the game provider's studio directly to the player's desktop or mobile.
There are many great live casinos that you can join from New Zealand, but the best ones are those that welcome you with a great bonus and that also run special promotions on live dealer games. We highly recommend Royal Panda NZ for this reason.
To play live casino games online, you first need to join a casino and make a deposit. Then, head to the live casino category to select an open table. You need to bet at least the minimum bet required per round in order to play at a live dealer table.