A live dealer game is a casino table game run by a real croupier in a studio and streamed as video to your phone, where you place bets through on-screen chips. The cards, wheel or dice are physical, and the result is read by cameras and software and settled in your account. In UK casino apps, live dealer tables sit in the Live Casino tab.
Live dealer games use a real croupier and real equipment, streamed to the app.
You bet during a countdown; results are read from the table and settled automatically.
Video streaming uses far more data than slots, so Wi-Fi is the comfortable option.
The house edge still applies, and UK rules ban autoplay on casino games.
Run by
A real croupier in a studio
You see
A live video stream with a betting overlay
Games
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker variants, game shows
Data use
Higher than slots; adjustable stream quality
UK rules
No autoplay; minimum round times apply
What a live dealer game is
Most casino games in an app are digital: a random number generator decides each outcome and the graphics show it. A live dealer game swaps that for real equipment. A croupier deals cards from a shoe, spins a wheel or shakes dice in a studio, and cameras send the action to your screen in real time. Your phone shows the video with a betting layout on top.
Studios built for this are run by specialist suppliers, and the same table may be streamed to several UK apps at once, each with its own branding. Some tables are exclusive to one operator. Either way, the operator holds the licence and the supplier needs a UK software licence.
How a live dealer round works in a casino app
Open the Live Casino tab and tap a table; the stream loads with the bet limits shown.
A countdown appears. Choose a chip value from the chip rack and tap the betting areas.
When the timer ends, betting closes and the dealer plays the round.
Cameras and recognition software read the cards or the winning number and turn it into data.
Your balance updates within seconds, and the round appears in your history.
Blackjack adds decision buttons, such as hit, stand, double and split, with their own timer. If you miss a decision, the table applies a default action described in its rules. The guide on how live casino streams work on mobile explains the technology behind the stream.
Live dealer games you’ll find in UK apps
Game
How it plays on mobile
Read more
Live blackjack
Seat-based tables; decision buttons appear on your turn
Live blackjack apps
Live roulette
Wheel view with a pop-up betting grid
Live roulette apps
Live baccarat
Fast rounds; Player, Banker and Tie areas
Live baccarat apps
Poker variants
Casino hold’em and three card poker against the dealer
Playing live dealer games on a phone: layout, data and battery
Portrait or landscape. Most live tables work in portrait with the betting grid below the video; turning the phone sideways enlarges the stream. The [portrait vs landscape] guide(/guides/portrait-vs-landscape-mobile-slots/) covers the trade-offs.
Data. A continuous video stream uses much more data than a slot. Lower the stream quality in the table menu, or play on Wi-Fi; see casino app data usage.
Battery. Video and a bright screen drain power quickly. Low Power Mode or battery saver can help, but may make the stream less smooth.
Connection drops. If the stream freezes, a bet already accepted is still settled; check your history before betting again.
UK rules and odds for live dealer tables
Live tables follow the same UK rules as other casino games: no autoplay, no credit card funding, and since January 2025 a minimum of five seconds per round on non-slot games, which live rounds comfortably exceed. The £5 and £2 stake limits apply to online slots, not to live tables, so table limits are set by the operator. Each game’s help screen lists its payouts and published return, and the house edge applies to every round, so losses are the expected result over time.
Where to play live dealer games on your phone
Our live casino apps page compares the live sections of the apps we cover, and brand guides such as Ladbrokes live casino describe each lobby. 18+, terms apply.
Ladbrokes’ Google Play listing includes live casino with game shows, and Casumo’s Android app is titled ‘Live Casino & Slots’. Their welcome offers aren’t live-table offers: Ladbrokes gives up to 500 free spins on slots (50 a day for 10 days, 10p each) after you play £10 on slots; Casumo’s 50% match up to £100 needs a £20+ deposit, 10x wagering within 7 days, and has game restrictions. 18+, terms apply.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only, from 14/11/25 until further notice. Certain deposit methods excluded. Deposit and spend £10+ on slots for 50 free spins a day during the first 10 days after first deposit and registration (max 500, £0.10 each, selected games, claim before 23:59 each day, valid 7 days). No wagering. Prepaid cards, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill and Moneybookers deposits do not qualify. Restrictions and T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Ladbrokes reviewLicence: LC International Limited, UKGC account 54743. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
Significant terms: 18+. New customers only. Opt-in required. 50% deposit bonus up to £100 on first deposit. Minimum deposit £20. 10x wagering on the bonus amount. Maximum bet or spin £5. Bonus valid for 7 days. Game, play and payment method restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. GamCare.org.uk
Read the Casumo reviewLicence: Recro Limited, UKGC account 61549. Offer checked 5 October 2026.
18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
Are live dealer games real or computer-generated?
They’re real. A human croupier deals physical cards or spins a real wheel in a studio, and the action is streamed to your phone as live video. Software reads the result from the table, using cameras and recognition technology, so your balance can be settled automatically. That’s different from standard digital table games, where a random number generator decides the outcome. Both types are licensed and tested for British players. Our guide on how casino app games work compares the two.
How much data does a live dealer game use?
Much more than a slot, because you’re watching continuous video. The exact amount depends on the stream quality and how long you play, and operators don’t publish fixed figures. You can usually reduce it by choosing a lower quality setting in the table’s menu. To see real usage, check your phone’s settings: on iPhone go to Settings, Mobile Data; on Android, Settings, Network, Data usage. There are more tips in Wi-Fi vs mobile data for casino apps.
Can I play live dealer games in portrait mode?
Usually, yes. Most live tables in UK casino apps are designed for portrait use, with the video at the top and the betting grid or decision buttons below. Rotating to landscape typically enlarges the video and may rearrange the controls. Game shows and roulette often benefit from landscape because there’s more detail to see. If the layout feels cramped, check the table menu for a compact view. Our how to play live casino on mobile guide walks through a typical screen.
What happens if my connection drops during a live game?
Any bet already accepted before the connection dropped is still settled according to the table’s rules. For decision games such as blackjack, the table usually applies a default action, often standing, if you can’t respond in time. When you reconnect, check your transaction or game history to see the result before placing another bet. A stable Wi-Fi connection reduces the risk. If problems persist, our page on casino app games that won’t load lists fixes.
Do UK stake limits apply to live dealer games?
The £5 and £2 per-spin limits introduced in 2025 apply to online slots, not to live dealer tables. Live tables have their own minimum and maximum bets set by the operator and shown when you open the table. Other UK rules do apply, including the ban on autoplay and the minimum round time for casino games other than slots. Your own deposit limits also cover live play. Our guide to UK stake limits on mobile slots explains where the caps apply.
Can I use bonus money on live dealer tables?
It depends entirely on the offer’s terms. Many casino bonuses exclude live tables or count them at a low rate towards wagering, and free spins can only be used on the slots named in the offer. Read the game restrictions before opting in. If you mostly play live games, a bonus with heavy restrictions may not suit you. How contributions work is explained, with examples, in game weighting in casino apps.
Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Get support from GamCare or NHS gambling support, or block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling sites with GAMSTOP.
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