Live Casinos in NZ | Live Blackjack, Roulette, Craps & More

Live Casinos: How Do They Work?

Not all people are tech wizards. Most players are simply looking to have some online fun without having to worry about details and many of them don't quite understand the inner workings of a live dealer casino. This often leads to wrong or misguided theories because people simply love good gossip. If you haven't heard the truth about live dealer casino options offered these days, then you are in for a treat! The concept is quite brilliant and offers online casino gamers the chance to feel the excitement and “reality” of a traditional casino while playing from a computer or mobile phone. This is a great idea for players who live too far away to play at a land-based casinos, people who travel, or simply for those who prefer playing in the comfort of their own homes.

The concept behind this type of gameplay is staggeringly simple yet incredibly effective and entertaining. Thanks to advances in digital live streaming technology, online casinos are now able to give players a real live dealer casino experience within the same online casino platform that they are already using. This means that you can now get the feeling and the glitz and glamour of gambling at a traditional casino without ever leaving the comfort of your living room, bedroom, bathtub, or wherever in the world you choose to play! The games are sometimes even hosted in an actual casino, with a designated live online casino studio room, where you can play against the dealer. In more recent years, recently they’ve added the opportunity for you to play against other online casino players who are also playing live at the casino.

A live casino online is simply a video stream from the casino floor displayed on your screen in real time. There are no delays or tricks because, in many instances, players get to play with people who are physically present inside the casino and playing at the same table.

Many of the ones available in in NZ dollars have specially designed studios that resemble real brick and mortar casinos, complete with authentic backgrounds and casino lobbies. The games often feature very attractive croupiers and dealers who not only look good but are also among the most talented in their field. They deliver both professional and efficient service. Live casino games are then streamed in real time via the online casino, right to your screen. The latest versions platforms are incredibly smooth and glitch-free, with minimal loading time delays, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.

Playing live roulette or live blackjack over the internet was not an option a decade ago, simply because internet connections were not fast enough and setting up such platforms was not feasible. Today, however, setting up a live stream is relatively easy thing to do and the technology needed to get the ball rolling is widely available and relatively cheap.

A live online casino is the closest you can get to the "real thing" without actually walking inside a casino. There are flesh and blood dealers you can interact with, real cards and chips at the table, and, depending on the setup, you can sometimes see other players and hear the sounds from the casino floor.

Many live dealer casino games are already optimised for mobile devices, as are the rest of the casino’s games, making it even more exciting! That’s because most live platforms are provided to online casinos by the same software providers that create downloadable or instant play games. This means you can play real time live games from anywhere – on the bus, during your lunch break or relaxing by the pool.

Thrilling Live Casino Games

Live dealer casinos these days offer quite an impressive palette of available games for their customers. Owners and operators know what games attract the most players so, accordingly, they make sure these games are available in their live online casino variations.

This list may seem somewhat limited and, in all honesty, it is. But the reason for it is that even with all the technologies available, setting up a 24/7 live stream is still quite expensive for the casinos and requires a lot of resources. Therefore, most live online casinos limit themselves to the most popular games and introduce other variations as required.

It is all a matter of supply and demand really, and if casinos start noticing a trend that games other than live roulette or blackjack are what their customers ask for, there is no doubt they will be quick to accommodate.

Depending on the online casino that you’re playing at, as well as the platform that's employed, gaming selection can vary quite a bit. Most of them tend to offer at least one or two versions of classic table games like Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Baccarat and Live Poker. They often also offer Live Texas Hold’em as well! Some of them are able to offer several variations of each type of game, with interesting twists on classic games like Live Baccarat Squeeze and Live Unlimited blackjack.

Real Money Casinos has selected the very best online casinos featuring the latest live casino online platforms for players in New Zealand to enjoy. For Example, Spin Casino NZ offers a more simple and refined approach to the live dealer platform, with just three basic but classic casino game options. Kiwi players at Spin Casino can choose between classic Live Roulette, Live Baccarat or Live Blackjack. The games are elegant and smooth with beautiful backdrops and stunning dealers. The games are also interactive and players can chat with each other or even with the live dealers.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live Dealer Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in Asia, but has also become a fan favourite the world over. It’s a thrilling card game where you aim to have the highest score based on your cards. Casinos offer this in many varieties, though Live Mini Baccarat is one of the staples because it’s easy to play and the stakes are lower.

Live Blackjack

In the world of live gaming, Live Blackjack is definitely among the most popular and for good reason! The house advantage is on the lower side, at only 0.5%, so it draws in both expert players and gambling newbies. The only downside is that the rooms can get crowded and have waiting times, so during the busiest hours, it’s suggested to play at casinos that only allow members of that particular casino to play. Take a look at our suggestions above for the best online live dealer blackjack casinos. Once you’ve signed in and joined a live Blackjack game, you will see a Hot Streak table, here you can bet on the player currently on a hot streak. Bet Behind options can also run in conjunction with your own Blackjack hand.

Live Roulette

After Blackjack, Live Roulette is among the most popular live table games and most live Roulette casinos offer many varieties of roulette. For example, Live French Roulette, also know as Live European Roulette, doesn’t offer the 00 number offered with Live American Roulette. Whichever variety you choose to play, take a look at our Live Dealer Roulette Online Casinos page to find out which live cams Roulette are legit.

Live Casino Bonuses

Bonuses in live games work a bit differently than the typical online casino bonuses because often, the big sign up bonuses that include deposit matches and free spins don’t apply to the live dealer versions. Instead, casino bonuses can be used to try out different games before giving the live version a go as well, wagering smaller stakes along the way while you practice and sharpen your skills. You’ll also get a feel for the style and feel of the game, while learning the right pace needed to win.
Once you’ve become a regular live casino player, you can join a loyalty club, which means more bonus opportunities and promotions will open up. These can sometimes include deposit match bonuses, the ability to get cashback on gameplay losses, and sometimes even free tickets to Las Vegas and to attend major gaming events around the world. You’ll usually need to wager a lot in order to win the biggest prizes and jackpots, so you’ll need to be a high roller to be eligible. Still, there are tons of ways to earn bonus points once you’re a part of the loyalty program.

What is the Best Live Dealer Casino?

When it comes to picking a live casino to play on, there are several factors to consider. Perhaps the most important is the game selection but if you are looking for just one particular game, it might not be crucial for you.

The other equally important factor are the overall quality and user experience. A live online casino may look great at a first glance but that won't mean much if there are constant delays and glitches on their stream. In theory, this shouldn't happen, but in reality not all places give the equal amount of attention to this segment of their business.

When it comes to the offering of live casinos in New Zealand, two places that you absolutely need to check out are Leo Vegas and Casinoland. Both of these online casinos offer a great user experience, decent selection of games, and, to top it all off, generous bonuses to boost your bankroll.

The games you will find on the LeoVegas live online casino include live roulette, blackjack and live baccarat. Another popular choice is the 888 live casino. It has many live gaming options, plus a fun and easy to use interface.

Casinoland has pretty much the same offering in their live dealer casino, so it is really the matter of what interface you like more.

If you prefer something a bit spicier and more advanced, take a look at the constantly changing live casino themes. For example, Royal Vegas Casino for a while had a theme where the live dealers were dressed as flirty Playboy Bunnies. The wide variety of table games included Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker, all with exciting variations. Each choice included a different Playboy Bunny, just to keep things even more interesting. Tables also offer different betting limits. Another cool new option at Royal Vegas Casinos live dealer tables is the Bet Behind option. This cool innovation is very interesting and it allows you to actually bet on another player at the table. The Bet Behind option is only available on Live Blackjack tables and allows players to bet on ‘hot streaks’ that other players may be on.

Top Live to Play Casino Software Developers

Most popular casino software developers create the software that runs live online casinos in New Zealand and around the world! Below are some of the most popular online casino software brands, known for their engaging games and dazzling High Definition (HD) graphics.

Playtech Live Casino Online

Playtech is one of the biggest casino software providers in the world, providing many casinos with their sophisticated games in a variety of styles and a variety of languages as well. The live dealers host games out of Playtech’s state-of-the-art live casino studios in Riga, Latvia. With their software, players can adjust camera angles, adjust game preferences, and also choose from a huge variety of games like Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, and Live Poker.

Evolution Gaming

Evolution gaming is known for its innovative selection of live games such as the wildly popular Dream Catcher as well as the thrilling fast play card game Dragon Tiger. They also have an an ongoing progressive jackpots of up to $1 million at any given time.

Net Entertainment (NetEnt)

Known for its slogan of “Better Live Gaming”, NetEnt live casino software is not only fun to play, it allows players to join a lucrative VIP rewards program called NetEnt Live Rewards. It gives players access to exclusive promotions only available to members, as well as faster payouts and customizable bonuses.

More of the Best Live Casino NZ Software Developers

These are a few more of the most common software developers for the best live casinos in New Zealand:

Microgaming
Extreme Live Gaming
Amaya
Visionary iGaming
Bodog Asia
Global Gaming Labs
Smart Live Gaming

Live Dealer Casino Pros & Cons

If you’re not able to fly out to hit the pokies in real life, live casinos in NZ are an excellent way to still get the fun of Vegas and the thrill of real life casino gameplay. There are many great advantages to live dealer casinos, but to make sure you get the full picture, we have outlined the negative parts as well. Should you give live online casinos a test ride? Here's the short list of pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros:

Safety: Players feel safer and more confident since they’re own environment
Realistic: More lifelike gambling experience\
Live Gameplay: Games are played in real time and are the closest way to play casino table games as if you were in a brick and mortar casino, without having to be there in real life. No computer-based RNG is needed since gameplay is done live with cards.
Interactive: You can chat to the dealer and other players in real time
Play From Anywhere: Live games can be enjoyed at home or on mobile devices. There’s absolutely no need to visit a real casino to get all the fun.
Exclusive Bonuses: Most online casinos offer exclusive special bonuses and promotions

Cons:

Some people might be distracted by dealers
May be a little bit too close to reality
Wait Times: Live games are very popular which can often mean waiting for a seat at a table to open or for a dealer to open a hand.
Occasional Delays: Live dealer games can sometimes experience delays due to other players ‘multitasking’ aka. doing other things at the same time as playing live casino games. Fortunately, there are a built in time limits on plays
May Not Be Offered in Many Languages: the major downside may be that it can be difficult to get support in languages other than English. To help you out, we’ve listed a few live online casinos in New Zealand that offer games in a wide range of languages from around the world.
Technological Limitations: There’s a somewhat higher possibility of a technical glitch since everything is based on computers.

Live Casinos Online vs. Regular Online Casino Features

Live Casino Online vs. Regular Online Casino Features
	Live Casino Online	Online Casino
Sneak Peek 🃏
Design	♠️ Classic casino look	♦️ Wide range of fun themes
Gameplay	♠️ Multiplayer live	♦️ Solo play options
Game variety	♠️ Classic table games	♦️ Variety of pokies and classics
Bonuses	♠️ Mostly for VIPs & High Rollers	♦️ Available to players of all levels and statuses
Game amount	♠️ Smaller game selection	♦️ Large selections of 1000+ games
Pace	♠️ Real time game play	♦️ Play at your own pace
Wagering	♠️ Favours big spenders	♦️ Wagers start as low as 1 cent

Final Thoughts on the Best Live Dealer Casinos in New Zealand

Are live casino games for you? The answer really boils down to your style of play.

If you enjoy human interaction while playing and are afraid that casinos might be rigging their software (despite all the security checks and certificates) then you will probably thrive in a live casino environment. On the other hand, if you prefer truly fast-paced action with minimum interruptions, a traditional online casino in NZ might suit you better.

Our suggestion is to give live online casino a try and see how it feels.

Remember to check out our recommended list of Kiwi-friendly casinos and browse through our extensive lists of useful how-to guides, top player tips and much more at Real Money Casinos.

Live gaming, along with mobile gaming, is most certainly the way of the future for the online casino industry and we at Real Money Casinos simply can’t wait to see where live gaming in New Zealand is headed to next!

FAQ

What are live dealer casinos?

A live casino, or live dealer casino, describes an online gambling facility that offers online players the chance to play real and authentic table games using their PC, Mac, or mobile devices. Live dealer casinos are a combination of software coupled with live streaming technology that involve real-life table games, including card tables and roulette wheels, which employ real dealers that operate the tables. Players stream the live games from the online casino platform of their choice, where they then make bets and wager real money.

What do live casinos offer?

Instead of a computer-generated outcome and RNG (Random Number Generator) software, these table games offer the players a realistic gaming environment set in a studio that has its own real life dealer that will create an authentic gambling experience. The goal of live dealer casinos is to provide an experience that is the closest thing to visiting a land-based casino as possible without leaving your home.

How do live casinos work?

Live dealer casinos are a lot simpler than most people think and don’t involve a lot of worrying details. Although most of us don’t understand the precise inner working of these live casinos, it is easy to explain it. Live casinos are an online video stream that is broadcast from a studio to your screen in real time. This involves real people, real dealers, real players, and real table games, thus eliminating possible delays and tricks. Players can even interact with the dealers and ask questions if there is anything unclear about the game.

What types of games do live dealer casinos offer?

Nowadays, live dealer casinos provide a wide range of games. The owners and operators of these casinos like to offer various types of roulette, a range of variations of live blackjack, live poker games like live Texas Hold’Em, and live dealer baccarat. And, while this may seem like a limited list of available games, players need to know that having a 24/7 live stream with dealers working all the time is an expensive undertaking for these casinos. Thus, most live casinos have decided to provide the most popular games and offer several variations of these games as well.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing at live dealer casinos?

Like most things online casinos have to offer, live dealer games have both their advantages and disadvantages. Among the things that should compel you to visit one of these are that these live games do not involve any computer-based random number generators; they offer interaction with the dealers and sometimes even interaction with other players, which gives you a safer feeling; and it is definitely the closest thing to the real casino experience. The disadvantages are that players sometimes have to wait for games; there is always the possibility there might be a technical glitch; and some players might even find live dealers to be distracting.

What kind of software do I need to play live games?

Live gaming is already a part of online casino software so no special software is required, aside from the internet browser of your choice.

Can you play games in real time on smartphones?

More and more live online casinos are offering mobile-friendly versions of their games. It may not apply to every live dealer game, but the demand is growing and casinos are listening! Among the most popular mobile live casino games are 3 card poker, blackjack, and Caribbean Stud, and roulette.

How much data do live casinos use?

Live dealer casinos tend to use up a good amount of data when playing on a smartphone or tablet. If you have a phone plan with unlimited data, you should be fine, but if not, make sure to only play when you have good Wifi. And even if you have unlimited data, you might want to use it with Wifi anyway to ensure the fastest speeds and smoothest gameplay.

How can I try out live casinos for free?

Many online casinos in New Zealand give players the option to play for fun without having to wager real money. Most casinos, however, do not have a live dealer free play option, though they often allow prospective players to watch the games in action.

Is there any rigging involved with live casinos in New Zealand?

Just like the online casinos that host them, live dealer casinos need licensing and accreditation that to signify they undergo regular testing for fairness and security. Licensing information can be found on the online casino site itself, but always do your research to confirm its validity.

How much of an advantage does the House have?

The house advantage is usually 0.5% for live blackjack, which means live gambling can provide a return of 99.5% to the players. With other games, the advantages are different. For example, there’s a 0.53% house advantage with Texas Hold’em Poker, a 1.05% advantage with live Baccarat, and a 1.35% advantage with French roulette. The house edge is higher in other live casino games we haven’t mentioned.

What happens to my game if there’s a problem with my internet connection?

A live game continues to go on, even if there’s an issue with the internet connection. If that happens, the bets you’ve already placed are settled and when you’re able to log back in, you continue playing the game live. Any bets you’ve won on the last turn will automatically go into your balance once you’re able to log in again.