Live casino games in Canada for 2024

What are live casinos?

Live dealer casinos let you play with real-time human dealers without the need to visit a physical casino. The games are streamed via a live video broadcast from professional game studios. Players can watch the video streams and make bets as the game unfolds in real time. Many players find the action at a live casino replicates the experience of being at a physical casino.

How to play live casino games

Not sure where to start with live casino games? Below is a quick snapshot of how they work at an online casino.

• 1
  Sign up with one of our recommended online casinos and claim your bonus.
• 2
  Make your first deposit using a safe and secure banking method.
• 3
  Navigate your way to the live dealer area of the casino and select the game you want to play.
• 4
  Brush up on the rules and familiarise yourself with the layout of your screen.
• 5
  Follow the dealer's instructions and start enjoying your first round of live dealer play!

Live casinos in Ontario: What you need to know

There are over 60 online casinos in Ontario, and most will offer a range of live dealer games. As standard, an Ontario live casino will offer live roulette, blackjack, and even poker. Some of the best live dealer casinos will also offer more niche online gambling games like live baccarat or craps too.

When choosing a live dealer casino in Ontario, make sure the site is licensed by iGaming Ontario. This is the hallmark of a safe, secure, and legal casino site in the province. For the best options, head to our guide on the best Ontario online casinos.

Note: Any content on this page mentioning bonuses or promotions is not intended for players in Ontario, as per the province's regulations.

Live casino bonuses for Canadian players

Live casino bonuses are promotions that can be used with live dealer games. In the past, casino bonuses for live games were pretty rare. But nowadays, it's much more common to find bonuses that work with these types of games. They're still rarer than a slots promotion, but most online gambling sites will have at least one offer that applies.

What types of live casino bonuses are there?

Most live casino bonuses will come in the form of a deposit match within a welcome offer. The idea is that an online casino will boost a player's first few deposits, enhancing their bankroll to play with. These offers will typically work classic games like live dealer roulette, live dealer blackjack or live dealer poker.

Below are more of the most common types of live casino bonuses in Canada:

• Welcome bonus
• No deposit bonus
• Reload bonus
• VIP rewards and loyalty points
• Live dealer tournaments
• Refer-a-friend bonus

Can you get a live casino no deposit bonus in Canada?

Yes, but they are difficult to find. A live casino no deposit bonus isn't a hugely common casino bonus. Most no deposit offers are catered exclusively to slot games. However, live casino no deposit bonuses do exist. From time to time, you can find offers that apply to classic live games like live dealer blackjack, roulette or poker.

To find out more, check out some of the latest no deposit bonus offers for Canada.

How we rate the best live dealer casinos in Canada

Before a live casino makes it to our shortlist, we make sure it lives up to our 25-step review process. Our team analyses each live casino in Canada to compile our ratings, covering criteria like safety, security, live casino bonuses, and more.

• Live casino games

  It goes without saying, but a top Canada live casino needs a strong range of games. We look for a variety of titles that include live dealer roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat as standard. We also check that the casino offers a choice of gameshows like Monopoly Live. After that, we investigate the stakes of the games available. Ideally, an online casino will offer low-stakes games that start at $0.10 and high-stakes that go up to $5,000.

• Live dealer software providers

  It's not just about the games, it's about the brands that created them. We like to see live casino games powered by reputable software providers like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Playtech. However, the best live casinos will have a range of software providers including more niche, independent game houses. This is to ensure gameplay variety, and that there are enough free tables to play at.

• Live casino bonuses

  Casino bonuses are the hallmark of a great live casino. As standard, we look for welcome bonuses that are compatible with live dealer games. Then we inspect the wagering requirements to make sure they're fair and justified. The best live casino bonuses will offer at least a 100% deposit match up to at least $500, with limited game contributions.

• Live casino apps

  The best live dealer online casinos will have a dedicated app with a live games section. We look to check that apps are regularly updated for both iOS and Android devices, plus that the live dealer games are easy to filter by provider. If an online casino doesn't offer a dedicated app, we check that the live games are available in a mobile browser. These should be easy to access and should offer at least 90% of the games available on desktop.

• Security and licensing

  We strive to only recommend secure Canadian live casinos that safeguard players. Every online casino on our shortlist holds a full gaming licence from the Canadian Gaming Association or another highly reputable authority. Plus, we deep dive into a casino's security measures. We assess an online gambling site’s data protection and privacy policies, and at a minimum expect SSL encryption technology to protect players.

• 1

  Live blackjack

  Live blackjack is a fan favourite. You’ll be able to join a lobby and play with professional dealers at a real blackjack table. The rules are the same as traditional blackjack and typically played with a 52-card deck. Most live dealer casinos will offer popular variations of the game like Free Bet Blackjack, Live Common Draw Blackjack, Party Blackjack, and Live Blackjack Early Payout.

• 2

  Live roulette

  You’ll find roulette games at most live casinos in Canada. The rules of roulette are fairly simple – it's a perfect game for anyone just starting out with live dealer casinos. Most Canadian sites will offer classic casino games like American roulette, European roulette, or French roulette. Plus, there are plenty of exciting variations to try out like Double Ball, Speed Roulette, or Mini Roulette.

• 3

  Live baccarat

  Live baccarat is played in the same way at a physical casino. In short, you’ll be competing with a dealer for who will have the higher hand. For the baccarat pros, most games will have a huge choice of configurable side bets to add to the excitement. Most live casinos will also offer fun versions of live baccarat like Baccarat Squeeze, No Commission Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, Lighting Baccarat, and VIP and Salon Privé options.

• 4

  Live Texas Hold’em

  Hold’em is one of the most popular variants of poker – you’ll find live casino hold’em at most real money casinos in Canada. Unlike real poker, the game is played online so you won’t need to bluff in front of other players. But otherwise, the same rules apply. Plus, some variants will have jackpot prizes to play for, with players competing to win huge payouts of up to 100 to 1. Some popular live poker games include Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker, and 2 Hand Casino Hold'em.

• 5

  Live Caribbean Stud

  Live Caribbean Stud is another poker variant that follows the classic rules with a few fun twists. In this game, players only need to beat the dealer to win and not their other players. You'll find lots of fun takes on the game, with most options offering side bets plus a jackpot with an increasing prize value. However, Caribbean Stud is slightly less common at Canadian online casinos than classic poker. You may only find one or two options to check out.

• 6

  Live craps

  Though less common, live dealer craps games can be found at the best live dealer casinos. The rules are a little more complicated than other table games – it's more suitable for advanced casino players. Look out for First Person Craps, it's one of the most popular variants and blends a classic RNG game with a live dealer twist.

• 7

  Live Sic Bo

  Most live casinos in Canada will offer a range of dice games like Sic Bo. This classic game sees three dice shaken each round, with players predicting the outcome. There’s a huge range of bets and wagers available to make, with some games even offering fun random multipliers. The main types of live Sic Bo you'll find are Super Sic Bo, Sic Bo Deluxe, Ultimate Sic Bo, and Mega Sic Bo.

• 8

  Live game shows

  Live game shows are some of the most fun live dealer games around. Each casino is different, but you can expect to find top games in Canada like Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal Live, and many more. Plus, there are quirky variations of traditional online casino games like Red Door Roulette.

• 9

  Live wheel games

  Wheel-based games are growing in popularity. The games are all a little different but usually work by a presenter spinning a numbered wheel, with the outcome winning a prize. Popular wheel games include Dream Catcher, Crazy Time and Adventures Beyond Wonderland.

• 10

  Live bingo

  Live bingo works just like being in a bingo hall. A live presenter hosts the game, calls out the numbers and announces the winners. The only difference is that you can play in the comfort of your own home.

Evolution

Evolution (previously Evolution Gaming) launched in 2006 and specialises completely in live dealer games. They offer over 1,000 tables to join in total, with 15 purpose-built dealer studios around the world. For Canada, Evolution is one of the most credible and reputable software developers and holds 20+ jurisdictional licenses.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play launched its live dealer offering in 2018 when it purchased Extreme Live Gaming. Though a smaller provider than Evolution, they have a handful of key game studios that produce authentic casino games. Some of Pragmatic Play's most successful games include Pragmatic Snakes & Ladders, No Commission Baccarat, and Speed Roulette to name a few.

Playtech

Playtech is a huge name in Canada and was formed way back in 1999. They operate multiple live dealer studios and are generally considered to offer some of the best live casino games. In fact, Playtech was named Live Casino Supplier of the Year at the EGR Awards 2023. Some of Playtech's most popular titles include Quantum Blackjack, Lucky Ball Roulette, and Bet On Baccarat.

Ezugi

Ezugi has offered live dealer games since 2013. Though a big name in the industry, the brand is now owned by Evolution after an acquisition in 2019. Ezugi is known for its huge range of table games, with dozens of popular titles for blackjack, poker, roulette, and more.

Microgaming (MG Live)

Another huge name in the industry, Microgaming formed in 1994. MG Live is one of the most reputable live dealer studios and has been powering casinos in Canada for years. They started with a single live baccarat game, but have slowly expanded to offer the best roulette, blackjack, and hold'em games around.

Other live software providers

Though less common, there are a few additional live software developers to be aware of. You won't find games from these developers at every top casino, but they still provide authentic, entertaining, and social live casino games.

• Authentic Gaming
• Opus Gaming
• Vivo Gaming
• Actual Gaming
• EntwineTech
• NetEnt (discontinued)
• Wirex

Live casino deposits and withdrawals in Canada

Live dealer casinos in Canada offer a wide range of casino payment methods. You’ll typically be able to withdraw winnings in the same way that you made your deposit. That said, minimum deposits and maximum withdrawals will vary from casino to casino. 

More importantly, you’ll receive your winnings at a different speed depending on your chosen payment method. Below is a list of the most common live casino payment methods and the average payout speed for each. Before you start playing at a live online casino, remember to check the payment T&Cs first!

The future of live dealer casinos - expert prediction for 2024

Live dealer games are commonplace at online casinos now. But what does the future hold? Here are my top predictions:

• Better mobile games

  With the rise of app gaming, I predict a stronger emphasis on mobile optimization. It's very likely that live casino games will offer multiple camera angles and a more customizable experience on mobile. Even the concept of unique avatars and profiles is something new to online casinos in Canada – it's a natural next step.

• Augmented reality and VR-integration

  There's a clear cultural interest in augmented reality and VR-integrated casino games. Though VR hardware isn't super mainstream yet, it's highly possible that in the near future, we'll see even more immersive and interactive live dealer games available. In my opinion, the future of live casinos will grow just as fast as our tech does.

Responsible gambling

You should always feel safe and in control when gambling online. If you're worried about your gambling, there are several national resources that can provide support. You can also head to our responsible gambling hub for more information.

• Responsible Gambling Council (RGC): Responsible Gambling Council Canada (RGC) is a non-profit that specializes in innovation and awareness. They offer a variety of resources for gamblers including information on responsible gambling, help for problem gamblers, and training for gambling industry professionals.
• Gamtalk: Gamtalk is an online resource that offers information for those struggling with gambling problems. They also have a live chatroom to engage in real-time chat with other members of the GamTalk community.
• Gam-Anon: Gam-Anon is a community of people who are husbands, wives, relatives and friends of compulsive gamblers. They offer regular community meetings across Canada.