South Africans have been willing to go to many lengths to get their gambling fix on, as far back as the 60s when it was illegal so Sol Kerzner and co had to open casinos out in Swaziland and Transkei. But, since the internet came along, and especially since the pandemic drove us all indoors, playing live dealer casino games online has become a whole lot more attractive than late-night drives back from the middle of nowhere, praying you didn’t accidentally spend your petrol money on that last round of blackjack.
It’s become one of the most popular pastimes in the country, and with live dealer online games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, you can enjoy all the excitement from the comfort of your own home. Plus, as long as you make sure you are playing at an online casino that’s legally registered in South Africa, it’s well regulated, so you don’t have to worry about anything sketchy going on.
Live dealer games are a great way to experience the thrill and excitement of playing in a real casino without ever having to leave your couch. The dealers are pros, and you can chat with them and other players via the chat feature. It’s just like being there, but with better snacks, no dress code and a mute button to shut up that obnoxious neighbour. One of the best things about live dealer games is that you can play them from anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about conforming to the rules and etiquette of a physical casino. Plus, with more advanced technology, there are more games available than ever before, so you never get bored.
Now, we need to talk about legality. The National Gambling Act of 2004 technically prohibits online gambling in South Africa, but certain operators have been given licences to operate online sports betting services, and some of those also offer live dealer games. So just make sure you’re playing on a website that’s properly registered with the South African gaming authorities to avoid any legal issues. Check out our article on which online casinos in South Africa are legal for more details.
Companies like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt provide the majority of live dealer games, and they’ve invested a mountain of cash into making sure the technology is top-notch and the infrastructure integrated with your favourite online casino. So you can be sure you’re getting the best possible experience. Evolution Gaming offers various iterations of classics such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and three card poker, as well as innovative games like Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, and Dream Catcher. Playtech has an impressive selection of live dealer games such as blackjack, baccarat, Dragon Tiger, Sic Bo, and Casino Hold’em. NetEnt also provides a wide range of live dealer games, including Age of the Gods Roulette, Baccarat, and Casino Hold’em. All these live dealer games are available to play across multiple platforms, including desktop, tablet, and mobile.
There are many websites out there that offer live dealer games, but let’s talk about some of our favourite, legal operators.
Play.co.za has a huge variety of classic games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as games like Sic Bo and Dragon Tiger. Betgames TV has even more live games, including poker, Andar Bahar, Wheel of Fortune, Lucky 7, and exclusive games like Live Monopoly and Live Dream Catcher.
Hollywoodbets hosts blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more, with high-definition streaming and tons of customisation options.
Finally, Betway has a comprehensive range of live dealer games, including exclusive games like Live Football Studio and special promotions and bonuses to make your experience even better.
Aside from the classic live dealer games, there are plenty of other exciting options to choose from, like Live Monopoly and Live Dream Catcher. Some websites also offer exclusive games like Caribbean Stud Poker, Three Card Poker, and Live Football Studio. And there are always tournaments and special promotions to take advantage of. With high-definition streaming and tons of customisation options, it’s easy to get lost in the experience.
Of course, there are some drawbacks to playing live dealer games, like the fact that they can be more expensive than regular online casino games. There might also be technical issues like lag or buffering that can make the experience less enjoyable. And because there are so many players and the games are more complex, there’s a greater chance of mistakes being made. But overall, the benefits of playing live dealer games usually outweigh the drawbacks. You can play from anywhere, enjoy exclusive games and tournaments, and take advantage of attractive bonuses and promotions. Plus, there’s the social aspect of playing with a live dealer and other players, which can make the whole experience more fun.
