Live dealer online casinos connect a human croupier and a physical game in a studio to players watching and betting through a website or app. The dealer’s actions—such as dealing cards or spinning a roulette wheel—produce the game result; the platform streams the action and lets players place bets while the game is running. That differs from an RNG casino game, where software generates the outcome.
How a live dealer game works
- A dealer runs a physical game. A studio operated by a game provider or streaming provider hosts a human croupier and physical equipment. The Philippines’ PAGCOR guidelines define live dealer outcomes as deriving from the croupier’s live feed, rather than an RNG algorithm or computer program; those guidelines took effect on 15 November 2023 and apply to their stated gaming-content framework. PAGCOR guidelines
- The studio action is streamed to the platform. Video and game information travel over the internet to the casino’s website or app. The player watches the table and uses on-screen controls to choose bets and submit them while betting is open. The interface communicates the player’s choices; it does not let the player physically control the table.
- The physical event determines the result. The croupier deals, spins or otherwise conducts the game, and the platform reports the resulting outcome. For roulette, the wheel’s result matters; for a card game, the cards dealt matter. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) identifies roulette wheels and card decks as examples of equipment used for live outcomes. UKGC live-game guidance
- The platform settles the round. Once the result is established, the game interface displays it and the casino processes the round according to the game’s rules. The exact controls and presentation vary by game and operator.
Live dealer games versus RNG games
| What differs | Live dealer game | RNG game |
|---|---|---|
| Source of outcome | A physical game event conducted by a dealer and carried in a live feed. | Software generates the outcome using a random number generator. |
| What the player sees | A live view of a dealer and table, alongside on-screen betting controls. | A software interface; there is no live physical table required for the outcome. |
| Integrity oversight | May include controls over equipment, staff, access, surveillance, dealing procedures and game records. | Uses a distinct testing and monitoring framework for RNG games. |
The live stream changes how the game is presented and where its outcome comes from; it does not, by itself, establish that the game is fair, the operator is licensed, or the service is legal for a particular player.
How fairness and integrity are overseen
A camera view is not a substitute for oversight of the game itself. In Great Britain, UKGC requirements and guidance describe safeguards that can include commercial-quality equipment, trained croupiers, staff supervision, video surveillance, restricted access to secure areas and game logs. Other guidance addresses equipment supply, installation and continued operation, as well as card shuffling, roulette-wheel integrity and dealing processes. The UKGC’s RTS 17 requirement 17A states: “Live dealer operations must be fair and independently auditable.” UKGC RTS 17 and UKGC live-game guidance
These are Great Britain regulatory standards and guidance, not proof that every operator in every country uses identical controls. Players should look for the regulator responsible for the operator and the rules that apply where they live.
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Licensing and where you can play
A live game’s studio location or a working stream does not tell you whether you are legally permitted to use the casino. Licensing and player access depend on jurisdiction. For example, the UKGC says businesses need a licence to provide remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain, including businesses based outside Great Britain. UKGC: Remote gambling and software licences
That is a Great Britain example, not a global rule. Before depositing or playing, check the relevant local regulator’s requirements and whether the operator is authorised to serve customers in your location.
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