Live Dealer games, one of Europe’s most popular online gambling formats, has arrived in New Jersey.
Live Dealer first debuted with Golden Nugget Casino in August 2016, followed closely by FanDuel Casino, who was still Betfair Casino at the time. Since then, many more sites have begun offering live dealer action and it has quickly become a prominent feature in the New Jersey market. Live dealer casino games represent the only gaming format in the U.S. where players can experience the benefits of gambling in a live casino environment, without actually having to visit one.
On this page, we’ll explain what this innovative format is all about, and tell you how, where, and when you can get in on the action.
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What NJ online casinos offer Live Dealer games?
| Casino | Studio |
|---|---|
| BetMGM | GN/Ezugi |
| Caesars Palace Online Casino | GN/Ezugi |
| DraftKings | HR/Evolution |
| Golden Nugget | GN/Ezugi |
| Borgata | GN/Ezugi |
| Resorts | HR/Evolution |
| Ocean | HR/Evolution |
| Mohegan Sun | HR/Evolution |
| Party Casino | GN/Ezugi |
| FanDuel | HR/Evolution |
The Live Dealer count in New Jersey has now stretched well beyond double digits. Golden Nugget was the Live Dealer pioneer in the state, partnering with software provider Ezugi to open the first dedicated legal Live Dealer studio in 2016. GN-licensee Betfair, who has since transitioned to FanDuel Casino, followed suit, leasing out space from the facility for its own operation the following year. While a separate company, FanDuel utilizes the same dealers and most of the same tables as Golden Nugget.
Several sites licensed under Borgata (Borgata Casino, Party Casino NJ, and BetMGM) began operation in 2018.
The opening of the Hard Rock AC finally brought some competition for Golden Nugget. Hard Rock teamed up with international Live Dealer industry-leader Evolution Gaming to build its own dedicated studio inside the property. Hard Rock got its Live Dealer games up and running soon after it launched its online casino, and later welcomed 888, Play SugarHouse, Mohegan Sun, and Resorts into the facility as well. Even sports betting giant DraftKings would eventually add Evolution’s games to their app, expanding into casino gambling for the first time in the NJ market.
Notably, each Live Dealer studio runs on its own schedule – some are open for 24 hours a day, while others may be open from around 11am – 3am. This of course will vary from site to site, so we recommend checking directly with the Live Dealer provider of your choosing for the current hours of operation.
Live Dealer games from these operators are currently available for PC, Mac, and on Android/iOSÂ powered smartphone and tablet devices.
What are Live Dealer games?
Until recently, the only way to experience online casino table games was to play against a computer. Digital table gaming relies heavily upon what is known as a random number generator (RNG), which is essentially a piece of code that produces unbiased and random outcomes.
In short, whenever it is man v. machine, all game outcomes are determined by the RNG.
Although this mechanism allowed games to move swiftly, the social interactivity that players enjoyed in live environments was lost. That, and the RNG-driven nature of the game drew skepticism from some.
Even today, despite regulatory safeguards instituted by legal NJ online casinos to ensure game integrity, some players still only trust an actual deck of cards.
For online players longing for these lost aspects of live casino gambling, Live Dealer provides a near perfect solution.
Live Dealer is made possible by advances in streaming technology. The games are broadcast in real-time from a dedicated Live Dealer studio and feature:
- Real dealers, who deal to players in real time
- Physical playing devices, such as real playing cards and roulette wheels
- Social interaction functionality, allowing players to communicate via chat with the dealer and one another
The main differences between playing at a brick-and-mortar casino and in an online Live Dealer game are that there are no physical chips to contend with, and payouts are handled automatically by computer systems. This allows for gaming rounds to move at a quicker pace compared to in-person play, but still slower than traditional online table gaming.
Of course, the other major difference is that players can play Live Dealer games from anywhere. Whether it be from their home PC, a laptop, or a mobile device, as long as players are physically located in the state of the New Jersey, they are free to take a seat at the Live Dealer tables. Live dealer games have become so popular, they have even spread to the newest sweepstakes casinos available anywhere in the US.Â
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Live Dealer play?
Advantages
- Can be played from any location within the state of New Jersey
- Real dealers and physical playing devices
- Optimized for play on Android and iOS smartphone devices
- Lower minimum wagers for baccarat, blackjack, and roulette compared to the same games at Atlantic City casinos
- Guaranteed seating at any table game
- Multiple side bets available
- Be social while retaining anonymity
Disadvantages
- Slower pace compared to traditional online table gaming
- Rules aren’t always the most favorable to the player
- Somewhat limited hours, depending on the operator
- Minimum bet is typically a bit higher compared to digital NJ online casino table games
Live Dealer games at NJ online casinos
At present, most online casinos will feature four primary Live Dealer games: blackjack, roulette, baccarat and hold’em-style games. A variety of baccarat and blackjack side games are also available, as is Multiview Roulette — which is really just roulette with a few extra camera angles.
Some offerings vary between the two studios. Some of the casinos using the Evolution platform may offer Ultimate Texas Hold’em, while others using the Golden Nugget Ezugi studio may spread a variant called Casino Hold’em.
Each site typically supports just one baccarat and one traditional roulette table, and that’s all that is necessary. One of the benefits of Live Dealer is that for most games, one table can theoretically host an infinite number of patrons. Blackjack is different because players are active participants. Everyone receives a unique hand, thus seating is generally limited to just seven players per table. The two studios have each employed their own solutions to this limitation.
Blackjack
Upon taking a seat at a Live Dealer Blackjack table, players will notice a vast number of similarities to a blackjack game that might take place at a brick-and-mortar venue. Really, the only notable differences are:
- Wagering and hand actions are done electronically instead of physically.
- Players have a limited amount of time to make their decisions. The timer was implemented to ensure adequate game flow.
- Payouts are calculated automatically by a computer instead of the dealer.
As far as the rules, they’re just about as player-friendly as those found on Atlantic City casino floors, and slightly less favorable when compared to most of the state’s online casinos.
- Naturals pay 3:2
- 8-deck shoe with 50% penetration (low penetration discourages card counting)
- Dealer hits on soft 17
- Double on any two cards
- Double after split
- Split up to two hands
- Split Aces receive one card per hand only
- No surrender
- Return-to-player: 99.28%
There are also two side bets available: 21 + 3Â and Pair bets.
21+3 pays out when the player’s first two cards and the dealer’s up card make a flush or better. The Pair sidebets varies slightly between Ezugi and Evolution games. Evolution Live Blackjack has an Any Pair sidebet that pays if your cards match rank, with a better payout if they are the same suit. Ezugi’s version has Perfect Pair, which adds a middle payout level if the pair is a matching color.
As Live Dealer has grown in popularity, there has been increased demand for blackjack. Ezugi’s response has mostly been to increase the number of tables as they go. However, that couldn’t continue indefinitely. In response, Golden Nugget launched a Live Unlimited Blackjack variant with auto split that’s designed to alleviate traffic by allowing an infinite number of players at one table. It can accomplish this task by eliminating some player choices in favor of automatic rules.
Hard Rock realized the conundrum before launch, so Evolution built into their Blackjack game a unique solution to avoid overcrowding from the very beginning. This took the form of the Bet Behind feature, which allows both players on the rail and those seated at the table to bet on other players’ hands. The one potential downside is that players will have to trust their horse to make sound playing decisions.
Both of these solutions essentially eliminate the frustration associated with not finding a seat in the main game by limiting control in different, minor ways. Choose wisely.
Roulette
The differences between playing Live Dealer Roulette and roulette at a live casino are nominal. Namely, players won’t be butting elbows with their table mates trying to place bets because all betting is handled electronically.
But what players gain in convenience, they lose in house edge. That’s because the wheel features a zero and a double-zero. When the ball lands on these numbers, even money bets do not return any portion of the wager. As a result, the house edge on all wagers is a rather unfavorable 5.26%.
Compare this to the European Roulette variants found on most NJ online casinos, where the house edge is 2.70% or even less depending on the type of wager.
Still, players won’t find roulette games in AC where the minimum wager is just $1. So if you’re adamantly opposed to digital roulette games and want to play on the cheap, Live Dealer Roulette isn’t the worst option.
For a more visual experience, players are Ezugi-powered casinos are encouraged to check out the recently added Multiview Roulette. The game mostly parallels Live Dealer Roulette (same dealer, hours of operation, and wheel) except that players are treated to more cinematic camera angles.
Live Auto-Roulette tables are also available, and are typically running 24/7. The wheel spins automatically without being facilitated by a croupier. It’s not the most personal of live games, without the human touch, but the wheel is always spinning.
In January 2022, Evolution announced the launch of its award-winning roulette extension, Lightning Roulette, in the state of New Jersey. The product initially debuted back in 2018 and experienced great success, racking up multiple Game of the Year honors overseas. Lightning Roulette offers all of the same bets that a traditional roulette table would but with an added bonus: each new round features one to five randomly selected numbers that can result in 50x to 500x the payout.
Baccarat
Outside of the ability to peel the cards oneself, Live Dealer Baccarat is just about identical to its brick-and-mortar counterpart.
Well, there is one other big difference: there aren’t many places in the U.S. where players can legally play baccarat for a minimum of just $1 per hand.
The version of baccarat spread at Live Dealer tables is the commission variant, which adheres to the following structure:
- Banker wins: 1:1 payout minus 5% commission
- Player wins: 1:1 payout
- Tie wins: 1:8 payout
The commission on Banker wins is taken because the Banker has a slightly higher probability of winning than the Player. Contrary to popular belief, baccarat outcomes are not truly a coin-flip.
Various side bets are available, though they only hurt the expected return which is close to 99% with ideal play.
Other Games
Finally, poker enthusiasts may get a kick out of the Live Dealer poker games. Numerous Live Dealer games are available, depending on the studio. Casino Hold’em is typically offered on the Golden Nugget studio/Ezugi side, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker will usually be offered from the Hard Rock studio/Evolution.
Casino Hold’em
Put simply, the goal of Casino Hold’em is to make a better five-card poker hand than the dealer. Players place an Ante bet before each round and receive two hole cards. After three of the community cards are dealt, the player must either fold and forfeit their Ante, or call and double the bet. After calling, the remaining two community cards are dealt and a winner is determined.
Beat the dealer when they qualify with a pair of 4s or better and win both the Ante and Call wagers. Should the dealer not qualify, then calling players will automatically win on their Ante bet, whether they had the winning hand or not.
The game can be played by an unlimited number of players as the player hole cards are shared by all. The minimum bet is $1. The house edge for Casino Hold’em is just over 2%, making it a better play than most Roulette games. There is also a AA+ side bet option that pays when the player flops Aces or better, which has a 6.26% house edge.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Evolution’s Ultimate Texas Hold’em functions very similarly to Casino Hold’em. In both games, you are making the best five-card hand out of two hole cards and five community cards, comparing to the dealer’s hand. The difference lies in the betting sequence and payouts.
The player makes matching Ante and Blind bets. After hole cards are revealed, the player can make a Play bet of either 3x or 4x the Ante, or check. If the player checks, after the first three community cards are revealed they can choose to check again or Play 2x the Ante. If the player checks a second time, a final choice is made after the last two cards are revealed – either Play 1x or fold the original Ante and Blind bets.
The Ante bet pushes if the dealer does not qualify with at least a pair. Blind bets payout high amounts based on the hand, but only with a straight or better. The Play bet pays a simple 1:1. There is also a Trips side bet that pays out on a hand of at least three-of-a-kind.
The game has a minimum bet of $0.50, and a house edge of 2.2% on the initial main bet. The Trips side bet has a house edge of 3.5%.
Three Card Poker
This casino poker game compares simple, small hands between player and dealer. An Ante bet is made, and you receive three cards. Based on confidence in your hand, you can either make a matching Play bet or fold your Ante. The Ante bet pays if you either win or the dealer does not qualify with at least a Queen high. The Play bet only pays if you win and the dealer qualifies, if you win and the dealer has not qualified this bet pushes.
Ante bets pay a bonus for good hands. There are also two side bets that offer other scaled payouts for strong hands. A Pair Plus pays if you have a pair or better, and a 6 Card Bonus pays on the best five-card hand, combining your cards with the dealer’s.
The minimum bet is $0.50. Three Card Poker has a house edge of 3.4%, with 4.5% on the Pair Plus side bet and 8.6% on the 6 Card Bonus bet.
