Best live casino sites in Ireland - live dealer games
Live casinos let you play with real dealers on physical game tables. The best live casinos in Ireland combine all the perks of online and offline, with spots like The Clubhouse offering 400+ live games and sub-24-hour withdrawals, all streamed 24/7 in Ultra HD.
Whether you're looking for a new home to play live dealer casino games, or just looking to grab a bonus, this page showcases the best live casino options for Irish players. Bonuses for live sites tend to range from €500-€2,500 in Ireland, and online-exclusive games like Evolution's Infinite Blackjack means you'll never have to fight for a table.
It's not all perks of course. Live casino games are slower, there are less games to choose from, and they often require more money to play. Compare our top picks and start playing blackjack, roulette, and other live games today.
Best live dealer casinos in September 2024
What are the top live casino games?
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and live poker variants are the most popular casino games.
There are plenty of variations on each, so the best sites will offer different versions. We recommend finding casinos with as many different variations as possible, so you can find one that hits the sweet spot.
If you're already an experienced player who knows their favourite game, then you can judge on other metrics like payment convenience and social features.
Let's break down what you can find in the average Irish live casino game lobby:
Live dealer blackjack
Blackjack is one of the best live dealer casino games because it involves real cards and real strategy. Normal online blackjack puts you against an RNG (random number generator), which is good for speed but lacks realism. In live blackjack, the human dealer hands out physical cards. You can also chat and interact with dealers and other players.
Leading live blackjack providers include Evolution and Playtech, with notable options like All Bets Blackjack, Infinite Blackjack, and One Blackjack. Variety can vary. In Ireland, Barz casino stocks less than 20 live blackjack games, while TonyBet casino has around 100. Players on live casinos love blackjack because of its exciting gameplay and low house edge. Many variants have an RTP of over 99%, making blackjack one of the best-paying casino games.
Live dealer roulette
Much like standard roulette, live dealer roulette asks you to put your money on the line by betting on where the ball will land. The experience is more interactive with live dealer, of course. There's nothing like hearing that ball scrape across the wheel and slot into the pocket you bet on.
Software providers such as Pragmatic Play, Authentic, and Evolution put interesting twists on European, American, and French roulette. You can find games with different rules, payouts, and betting limits. Notable examples include Quantum Roulette, Blaze Roulette, and French Roulette Gold. Standard house edges include 2.7% for European live roulette and 5.26% for American roulette.
We loved the selection at The Clubhouse Casino, with over 50 live roulettes on offer, compared to the 20-35 available at most other casinos. Clubhouse stocked more unique variants like Italian and Arabic roulette, alongside other original takes like Azure and Crystal. They even have a "Russian Roulette" title by Pragmatic Play. That certainly raised an eyebrow in the Casino.org office. (It's fine, I played it, it's just a standard themed roulette game).
Live dealer baccarat
Baccarat comes alive in a live dealer casino, as you can interact with the dealer and other players through the chat feature. You can also watch the game unfold in real-time. As in land-based and RNG versions, you must choose the Player, Bank, or Tie bets, and the winner is the card hand with the closest to 9 without going over.
Popular variants include Punto Banco, Lightning Baccarat, and Speed Baccarat. While baccarat games are slower when played live, the authenticity makes up for it. With a house edge of 1.06% for the Banker’s hand, the stats aren't bad at all either.
The offering in Ireland is pretty good. Even Barz casino's relatively small live lobby has more than 5 different variants, including evolutions Football Studio, which is basically just a baccarat reskin where you bet on a home or away win. Of course, TonyBet and BetandPlay still have more, including some juicy No Commission Baccarat titles, which are always a nice thing to see for those who like to bet on the Banker.
Live dealer Poker and Casino Hold’em
Similar to the classic game of Texas Hold’em, standard casino hold’em differs because you play against the house instead of other players. It is a fun game that allows you to learn the gameplay of hold’em without the pressure of bluffing and facing players.
Texas Hold’em is not always available as a live dealer game in IE, but Casino Hold’em is widely available. In fact, major providers such as Playtech and Evolution have hold’em games. The RTP is usually 97.84%, which is good but not as high as blackjack or baccarat. That being said, you can find Texas Hold'em at TonyBet casino and BetandPlay, the latter of which also stocks 2 card hold'em variants.
Game shows and other live dealer games
Live online casino real money games also include other options, such as game shows, instant wins, and even slots. Game shows like Deal or No Deal and Crazy Time add a TV entertainment-style twist to the casino floor, while instant wins such as Monopoly Live offer quick gameplay on renowned IPs.
Even slots have evolved into live experiences, with some platforms offering live slots where hosts spin the reels in real-time. That being said, live slots are super-rare in Ireland. TonyBet offers Crazy Coin Flip, which is a slot-style game, alongside popular game shows like Mega Wheel, Deal or no Deal, and even less mainstream card games like keno.
| Live casino game | Software provider | Where to play |
|---|---|---|
Dream Catcher | Evolution Gaming | SpinAway |
Rainbow Riches Live | Authentic Gaming | Barz Casino |
Spin A Win Live | Playtech | BetandPlay |
Snakes and Ladders Live | Pragmatic Play | Reload Casino |
Mega Ball | Evolution Gaming | |
Dice Duel | 101 betgames | Nine Casino |
Cash or Crash Live | Evolution Gaming | The Clubhouse Casino |
The 5 best live casinos in Ireland — a snapshot summary
With so many live casino options available to Irish players, navigating can be a maze. Our experts have dived into each Irish live casino site, tested out the games, and cut through the industry to determine the best.
Our experience helps us to know what players expect from a live dealer casino, and the options we choose fit the bill. With the most weighting towards the best bonus terms and quality of games offered (even if not the biggest library size), meet the casinos that got to the top of our ratings:
| Rank | Casino | Welcome bonus | Number of live games | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | The Clubhouse | 300% up to €1,800 + 100 Free Spins | 400+ | 8048/JAZ2020-13 |
#2 | Slotbox | €1000 + 125 Free Spins | 100+ | 8048/JAZ2020-065 |
#3 | Nine Casino | 100% up to €450 + 250 Free Spins | 400+ | B2C-AK2QPM3H-1668JAZ |
#4 | Reload Casino | 10% cashback every week | 90+ | MGA/B2C/370/2017 |
#5 | SpinAway | €1000 + 100 Free Spins | 40+ | 365/JAZ Sub-License GLH-0CCHKTW077232020 |
Features of top live dealer casinos
When you play at the best live dealer casinos, you can expect:
?? No. of live dealer games | 400+ |
?? Popular game types | Live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat, live poker games |
?? Live dealer casino bonus | At least 100% up to €500, contribution rates of at least 10% on WR |
?? Live casino app | iPhone, Android, iPad |
? Top Irish live casinos | 10+ |
How we gauge the best live casinos in Ireland
A lot of dedication and expertise goes into our multi-step casino review process. Each online live casino site we recommend must match our high expectations and strict demands. If a casino fails in any aspect, we will not place it in our top list.
Live casino games - what’s available, lobby size & stakes
Quality over quantity, but we love to see both. Top casino sites will have at least 40 live dealer games, but some will have hundreds of tables. More choice is always good, but we think it is more important that the games are top quality.
Flexibility is vital, which is why we select live casinos with games covering bet limits for budget players and high rollers. You should be able to play from 10 cents up to €5,000 per hand/spin and play games like live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, poker, game shows, and more. Any site that has both Pragmatic Play and Evolution games (read: most live dealer casinos in Ireland) covers the whole variety.
Live dealer software providers
Casinos in Ireland offer the best software providers in the industry, including live dealer market leader Evolution. As the King of live dealer entertainment, you can expect HD streams, immersive gameplay, and professional dealers. Other notable studios include Pragmatic Play, Playtech, and Ezugi. Some casinos also offer games from other providers and even in-house options.
All of them will offer the classics like blackjack, poker, etc. Evolution will bring in some other options like Football Studio and game shows. Gamevy at Nine Casino offers low-budget options, and Playtech even has some roulette variants with jackpots at the same casino.
Live casino bonuses & tournaments
We take bonuses seriously.There’s plenty to consider, such as T&Cs like time limits, minimum deposit, and wagering requirements. Any promo we select should allow you to play live dealer games to meet the requirements. In most cases, live dealer games count from 1% to 25% towards the bonus, so always read the T&Cs.
We also discuss the types of promos on offer, such as deposit matches or no deposit bonuses. Irish live casinos have massive promotions, including lucrative welcome packages that include bonus cash and free spins. Most casinos allow you to use these on live games; but always read up. Casinos are known to change promotions now and again. If you find a change before we do, contact us.
Some promo types are built into game series from the ground up. Pragmatic Play's Drops & Wins, which are accessible on live games, can be found at many IE live dealer sites, such as Slotbox.
Live casino apps and mobile performance
Casinos with live dealers are mobile-friendly. All casino operators we list have a website that runs on mobile browsers. Some of our recommendations have a full native app for iOS or Android.
Mobile websites are ideal for convenience and instant gameplay, but apps offer notifications for bonus rushes and often, a better-running experience. Playing on mobile should not be a compromise, and we expect mobile casinos to have top-notch streaming quality, touch/swipe-friendly UI, access to bonuses, and availability of all live dealer casino games.
Examples of Irish live casinos that have dedicated casino apps: Nine Casino, TonyBet.
Quality of live dealers & hours of operation
Different live casinos have different access to dealers, and since €1 is worth the same everywhere and casinos are free to sign up to, you might as well go for the ones that offer the best product. Playing top games from leading software providers is an effective way to ensure professional and friendly dealers.
Studios such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play are known for dealers who are friendly and will engage in conversations with players. Ideally, you can access these dealers and games whenever you want. The best live casinos have 24/7 live casino access, but some sites may have specific operating hours. Evolution has a Malta-based studio and a few more worldwide, and its dealers often provide round-the-clock coverage to multiple casinos.
Evolution is basically omnipresent at the top casinos in Ireland, so you should be fine in this category no matter which of our recommended casinos you sign up to.
Live casino tech features
Live casino games are unique because they rely on physical components to be of the highest quality, rather than just software. The quality of these should be obvious - cards used should be fresh decks, and no one wants to bet thousands of euros on an old, scratched, roulette wheel.
The software's got to be up to snuff too. Choosing the best games will provide features such as the ability to talk to the dealer and other players. Chat is text only for players, but the dealer should have a microphone to respond with their voice. Most live games stream from a remote studio owned by the software provider. Leading brands like Evolution and Playtech have high production value with TV quality sets and Ultra HD or 4K streaming.
Safety & game fairness
We demand that all casinos we list have a license with a respectable authority, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or the UKGC. We usually list the casino license number in each of our reviews. It's not a mandatory policy at Casino.org, but we like doing it for transparency.
We also look into the rules, T&Cs, and policies of the casino brand. We look for responsible gambling tools like deposit and loss limits, and evidence of external audits for game fairness performed by groups like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. Security is also a key point, which is why we look to see the level of protection through tools such as SSL encryption of at least 2048-bit. Anything we recommend has past our tests.
Overall casino rating
No review is complete without us putting it all together to form an overall look at the live casino. So, we delve into payment methods, withdrawal speeds, deposit/withdrawal limits, and customer support. Payments for Irish casino sites should cover debit cards (Visa/Mastercard), e-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, etc.), and even cryptocurrencies. Withdrawals can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Good customer support will be available through multiple points of contact, such as live chat, FAQs, and email. 24/7 live chat is a nice touch, but some sites will have limited operating hours. Our team speaks directly with customer agents and reports on how knowledgeable and polite they are.
Software providers at live casinos in Ireland
While there are often not as many live dealer casino games as standard RNG slots and table games, there are still over 1,000 options across Irish casino sites. Many of the biggest software providers in the industry produce live online casino real money games. Some like Evolution are specialists that focus almost exclusively on live dealer content.
Choosing the best live casino software studios is a straightforward way to have excellent stream quality, production, and gameplay. Teams like Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Playtech set industry standards. Below, our quick glance table will highlight the pros and cons of the top names in live casino games.
| Provider | Hits | Misses |
|---|---|---|
Evolution Gaming | Hundreds of live dealer games and excellent in-game stats | Its large catalog means not all games are top-tier |
Playtech | Lots of game variety, top-notch stream quality, widely available | Outdated feel on some games |
NetEnt Live | Slick streams and graphics and high-quality mobile gameplay | Only blackjack and roulette |
Pragmatic Play | Wide selection of live games, low and high-limit tables, live game shows | Not much focus on live poker games |
Ezugi | Private tables available, custom live dealer games, exclusive titles | UX is not as dynamic as other providers |
Authentic Gaming | Streams from land-based casinos, live online slots, many game variants | Only available in English |
Comparing live dealer casino games to regular casino games
A normal online casino game uses a Random Number Generator (RNG), while live dealer games stream with authentic real-time gameplay. None of these options is inherently better as it comes down to personal preference, but there are some objective pros and cons in each category. One of the biggest cons for live is the extreme scarcity of free games to try.
| Live dealer casinos | Enjoy the realism of a land-based casino | Play with/against other players and human dealers | Easier to trust physical materials than software | Games are slower than RNG options | Acute lack of free tables |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular casino games | Thousands of games, including online slots | Free online games more widespread | Better access to bonuses and casino offers | Solo gameplay against a computer | Less exciting and immersive |
| Live dealer casinos | Regular casino games |
|---|---|
| Enjoy the realism of a land-based casino | Thousands of games, including online slots |
| Play with/against other players and human dealers | Free online games more widespread |
| Easier to trust physical materials than software | Better access to bonuses and casino offers |
| Games are slower than RNG options | Solo gameplay against a computer |
| Acute lack of free tables | Less exciting and immersive |
How do live casino sites work?
Despite the core difference in how games work, live dealer casinos work similarly to normal online casinos. If you already know RNG casino games, the interface on the live casino game should be familiar to you.
The big difference is that the gameplay screen will show a live stream with real game parts, such as a roulette wheel, blackjack table/cards, or a game show set. You will also see the dealer, who usually has a microphone and engages with players.
Because games are live and in real-time, they are decided manually as they would be in a land-based casino. There's less need to rely on software to grant the outcome. Of course, there are exceptions for particular games such as live slots, which are still technology-based even in physical form.
How to sign up to a live casino – step-by-step guide
Follow these simple steps to get started:
- 1
Choose an online casino with live dealer games
Pick the operator that suits your requirements from our list of the best live casinos, and click the link to visit the casino site.
- 2
Create your casino account
Click the “Sign Up” or “Register” button and follow the process by providing your name, address, email address, date of birth, and phone number. You will have to prove your identity by clicking an email link, offering a photo ID, or providing proof or address.
- 3
Make a deposit and claim your bonus
You must deposit to play real money live dealer casino games. Click the “Deposit” button, pick a payment method, and follow the instructions — such as your card details — to set up your deposit.
- 4
Start playing live casino games
With funds in your casino account, head to the live casino game lobby and select the game you want to play. Read the game rules before betting, and then make your wager. Enjoy yourself, and good luck!
Pros and cons of online live casinos - are they worth it?
Live casinos are high-budget and have some extra features like live chat. But if you want to play fast rounds of blackjack, you're probably better off with an RNG table game you can play at any pace you like.
Clearly, online casino live games are not for everyone. Are they for you? Let's review.
Pros
- Closer to the real thing: Casinos spend thousands of € investing in live versions of popular casino games. This is as close to the brick-and-mortar experience that you can get when playing online.
- Social features: Live chat is available on most live casino games. You can use the text feature to speak to other players and even the dealer. Many good dealers will get some friendly banter going with their tablemates.
- Real equipment: Because you're not relying on cryptic code for random results, the result depends on the dealer and what you see happening live with your own eyes. It's easier for many players to trust the results.
- Unique games: Many live dealer tables are versions of popular casino games you cannot play elsewhere. You can choose unique versions of roulette, blackjack, baccarat, game shows, and more.
Cons
- More moving parts: Because there are many technical aspects to live casino games, there are more potential failure points. For example, stream lags, game crashes, dealer mistakes, and any chaos that can happen at an on-site studio.
- Expensive to make and run: While there are many live dealer games available, you have fewer options than RNG casino games.
Deposits and withdrawals at the live casinos – how do they work?
You can practically only play live casino games for real money. That means you’ll need to deposit funds and risk them in order to play.
The bright side of course, is that if you win and make a profit, you can then cash out your winnings. Below, we will walk you through depositing and withdrawing at the best live casinos.
- Click the deposit button on your casino account page and choose a payment option. For example, Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal.
- Enter how much you want to deposit and follow the instructions for your payment method, such as logging into your PayPal from the casino redirect page.
- Your account funds should arrive within seconds, allowing you to start playing games from the live dealer lobby.
- If you win, it is possible to withdraw your funds. If it is the first time, you’ll need to verify yourself by giving the casino operator proof of ID and address. To save time, you can do this when you first register with the casino.
- To start the withdrawal, visit your casino profile, click the withdrawal button, and choose a payment method. Many casinos demand that players use the same payment method as their last deposit to make a withdrawal.
- Enter how much you want to cash out and then provide the payment details, such as your debit card details.
- Wait for the funds to appear in your financial service. This can take anywhere from an instant to 48 hours for e-wallets and between 1 and 5 days for cards.
Live casino apps and mobile live dealer sites
Most Irish players use casino games exclusively on their mobile devices, meaning many online casino sites cater directly to mobile players. There are two ways to access live dealer games on mobile, website or app:
- Mobile site: All modern online casinos have a mobile-first website that is built on HTML5 technology. Therefore, the website optimises across devices such as smartphones and tablets. With a mobile site, you have access to most games and all bonuses.
- Mobile app: Many players prefer a native app. With a full app for iOS or Android, you get a bespoke mobile experience with specific UI to suit touchscreens. You also get notifications and better connectivity. See TonyBet and NineCasino for native apps where you can play online casino games for real money in Ireland.
Other online casino games to try
Ireland live casino FAQs
What are the best live casinos in Ireland?
Clubhouse is currently ranked first in our list of Ireland's best live casinos. We rate them through a data-driven process, and update regularly to reflect changes in the market, so be sure to check back on this page. Latest update: September 2024.
Are live dealer casinos the same as other online casinos?
Live dealer casinos work like any other online casino. You'll have an on-screen interface that allows you to make bets on the results of different casino games. The difference is you have access to games that use a human dealer with the gameplay streaming from a remote studio to your device.
What’s the best live casino game for real money?
Blackjack is certainly the popular choice here. All live casino games have the potential to win you money, but they all have a house edge that mathematically favours the casino in the long run. However, blackjack is considered by many to be the best real money casino game, because it's got the smallest house edge. Most live blackjack variants have an RTP of over 99% when playing with optimal strategy, which is higher than most other live casino games.
Are live dealer casinos legit?
Absolutely. As long as they have proper licensing and security measures, and especially if you can verify third-party game auditing. Each of the best live casinos we recommend has a license by a recognised international authority (UKGC, MGA, and Curacao eGaming are the standards for Ireland). They also include responsible gambling tools and player safety information, which we deem vital in the online casino world.
Is there such a thing as a live casino bonus?
Yes. While some casinos do create specific bonuses just for live dealer games, this is quite rare. However, most of the welcome bonuses at live casinos are perfectly eligible to be used on live games. You'll need to consider their contributions to any wagering requirement, which are often lower than that of games such as slots.
A live dealer online casino can have, for example, a deposit match worth €1,000, with a 30x wagering requirement for slots. It can set live casino games to contribute to the 30x requirement at a 10% rate, in order to compensate for the higher RTP% of certain table games.
Short version: Yes, but read the T&Cs to know what you're getting into.
Are live casinos safer than other online casinos?
Not necessarily – most live casinos are also known as standard casinos. Live dealer games may offer players more peace of mind because they can watch the action as it happens instead of relying on computers to provide outcomes.
Can you talk to live dealers and other players?
Yes, but only through text chat. Casinos don't offer microphone support, but there is a chat section. The dealer has a microphone and will answer verbally.
What is the RTP for live casino games?
RTP (Return to Player) is a metric that indicates how much a casino game pays back on average. So, if you bet €100 on a game with a 98% RTP, the game will theoretically pay back an average of €98.
Here's the general stats for common live casino games (all RTP%s are approximate):
Live Blackjack: 99.50%, Live European Roulette: 97.30%, Live American Roulette: 94.74%, Live Baccarat (Banker bet): 98.94%, Live Poker: 96% to 98%, Live Dream Catcher/Money Wheel: 96%.
Written by Ian Zerafa
Ian Zerafa has been reviewing gambling sites for years, originally starting out in the US market. Since then, he's worked on Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, and is an experienced hand with English-language gambling products worldwide. He likes to take a data-backed approach to his reviews, believing that some key metrics can make a huge difference between your experience at otherwise similar sites. Out of the office, you can find him at the gym, out running, or kicking back with a book.