A live dealer casino is an online gaming format in which real human croupiers conduct games that are streamed live to players over the internet. Games such as blackjack, roulette and baccarat are run from a dedicated studio or sometimes a land-based venue, with high-definition cameras capturing the action in real time.
Players join a table through their device and place bets using an on-screen interface, while watching the physical events unfold on the stream. Optical character recognition and sensors translate real-world outcomes, such as the cards dealt or the pocket a ball settles in, into the digital system that settles wagers. A chat function often lets players interact with the dealer.
As a concrete example, at a live blackjack table the dealer physically deals cards from a shoe; the player clicks buttons to hit, stand or double, and the dealer responds to those choices on camera. The result is resolved exactly as it would be at a physical table, but the stake and payout are handled electronically.
An important distinction is that live dealer games rely on genuine physical equipment rather than a random number generator. This appeals to players who prefer the visible transparency of real cards and wheels. However, this does not change the underlying odds: the mathematical house edge of each game is the same whether it is dealt by a human or generated by software, so live play is not inherently more or less favourable.
A common misconception is that a live human dealer can be influenced, or that streaming lag can be exploited; reputable operations impose betting windows that close before the outcome is known, and dealers follow strict procedures. Game availability, table limits, streaming quality, studio locations and the specific rules offered vary by operator and jurisdiction, as regulators may impose particular licensing and fairness requirements on live provision.