Live Dealer Blackjack in USA

Is Live Dealer Blackjack Legal in Your State?

One of the most common questions asked is about the legality of online blackjack in the United States and it depends entirely on your physical location. In short, there is no federal law banning players from accessing live dealer games, but state regulations determine which specific casinos you can access.

Generally, US players fall into one of two categories: State-Regulated Markets or Offshore Markets.

The Regulated States (State-Licensed)

In these states, the local government explicitly issues licenses to online casinos. Games are often streamed from studios located physically within the state (e.g., a studio inside an Atlantic City casino).

If you are located in one of the following states, you should play at casinos licensed specifically by your state gaming control board:

• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Michigan
• West Virginia
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Rhode Island

Offshore & International Access Options

For players in the remaining 43 states (including California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois) there are no local laws licensing online blackjack, but there are also no federal laws preventing you from playing at offshore casinos.

Players in these regions can legally access International Live Dealer Casinos. These sites are licensed in reputable offshore jurisdictions (such as Curacao or Panama) and accept US players.

Are these International sites safe? Yes, provided you choose a reputable operator. While they are often referred to as “offshore,” these are actually valid international businesses licensed in jurisdictions like Curacao or Panama. Because they are not monitored by US state agencies, we only recommend international sites with a long history of reliable payouts and fair gaming audits.

Offshore Casino Software Providers

If you are playing from an unregulated state (like California or Texas for example), you won’t see familiar names like “Evolution” or “Playtech” at any online casino. Instead, the offshore market is powered by two companies specialized for streaming to US players. These are:

Visionary iGaming (ViG)

Studio Locations: San Jose and Costa Rica

Vibe: Lively, chatty, and community-focused.

Best For: Players who want fast hands and a “local casino” atmosphere.

If you log into a site like Bovada or BetUS, this is likely what you will see. ViG is the industry standard for US-facing sites. It feels less like a sterile TV studio and more like a bustling casino floor.

Unique Feature: “Early Payout” Blackjack.

This is their signature game (99.5% RTP). It allows you to cash out your hand before the dealer finishes their turn. If you have a 20 and the dealer shows a 10, you can take a guaranteed profit immediately rather than risking a push or loss.

Fresh Deck Studios

Studio Locations: Various Global Locations (Europe/Baltics)

Vibe: Sophisticated, elegant, and high-definition.

Best For: Players who want a VIP, “Vegas High Roller” aesthetic.

Found on sites like Wild Casino and SuperSlots, Fresh Deck is the modern challenger to ViG. It feels significantly more upscale.

Unique Feature: Unlimited Seat Blackjack.

Unlike ViG’s standard 7-seat tables, Fresh Deck specializes in “one-to-many” tables where hundreds of players bet on the same hand, meaning you never have to wait for a seat to open up.

Visionary iGaming vs Fresh Deck Studios

In summary, the differences are:

Software Providers at State Licensed Casinos

If you are playing from a state with legal online casinos (like BetMGM, DraftKings, or FanDuel), you will not see ViG or Fresh Deck. Instead, you will see more highly polished, TV-quality streams from massive publicly traded companies.

Evolution Gaming

Studio Locations: Atlantic City (NJ), Philadelphia (PA), Southfield (MI), Fairfield (CT).

Vibe: Professional, pristine, and incredibly high-tech.

Best For: Players who want the widest variety of game shows and side bets.

Language Support:

Spanish Tables: Evolution is the leader in localized content. They have launched dedicated “VIP Blackjack en Español” tables in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with native Spanish-speaking dealers.

Unique Feature: “Infinite Blackjack”

This is their solution to full tables. One hand is dealt for hundreds of players, but you make your own decisions. It features four unique side bets: Any Pair, 21+3, Hot 3, and Bust It.

Evolution is the gold standard. They control the vast majority of the US market. If you are playing on DraftKings or FanDuel, you are almost certainly playing on an Evolution table.

Playtech

Studio Locations: Atlantic City (NJ), Southfield (MI), Bensalem (PA).

Vibe: Modern and data-rich.

Best For: Serious players who want advanced statistics and a “Lounge” feel.

Unique Feature: “All Bets Blackjack”

Similar to Evolution’s “Infinite” table, this allows unlimited players. It stands out because it offers five different side bets, the most of any regulated game.

Playtech is the main competitor to Evolution. You will often find them on bet365 and some BetMGM skins. They are famous for building dedicated “VIP Lounges” that look like high-end private clubs

Evolution Gaming vs Fresh Deck Studios

The Realities of Banking: How to Move Money

Making a deposit/withdrawal can also potentially be a frustrating experience which is again due to the ambiguity of state/federal laws.

Here is a deep dive into the specific options, hidden fees, and limitations you will encounter in the US market.

Quick Reference: Deposit vs. Withdrawal Availability

Credit and Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)

Cards remain the most popular way to start, but they come with caveats. If you are in a regulated state like New Jersey, using a card is as simple as buying something on Amazon. However, some major banks (like Chase or Bank of America) may still auto-decline gambling transactions due to internal policies, even if the activity is legal.

For players using international/offshore sites, the “Credit Card Struggle” is real. While acceptance rates have improved, you need to watch out for International Transaction Fees (usually 3%) charged by your bank. Furthermore, because these transactions are sometimes coded as “Cash Advances” rather than purchases, you might get hit with an immediate cash advance fee and higher interest rates. Perhaps the biggest limitation is that you generally cannot withdraw to a credit card from an international site. You can pay in with Visa, but you will need a different method to get your winnings out.

Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Litecoin, USDT)

In the offshore market, cryptocurrency is not just an “alternative”, it is THE gold standard. Operators push it heavily because it bypasses the US banking system entirely.

The major advantage here is the withdrawal speed. While a check takes weeks, a Bitcoin or Litecoin withdrawal often hits your wallet in under an hour. Additionally, crypto allows for significantly higher betting limits. While credit cards might cap you at $1,000, crypto deposits often go up to $100,000.

Note: For some players, the volatility of crypto can be a deterrent because they worry the value of Bitcoin will drop while they are playing. The solution is USDT (Tether) or USDC, which are “stablecoins” pegged to the US Dollar. You get the speed of crypto without the price swings.

Person-to-Person (P2P) and MatchPay

A unique solution found primarily on the Bovada and Ignition networks is MatchPay. This system connects you with other players who want to trade account credits. You might transfer money via PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle to another player, and in exchange, the system moves their casino credits into your account.

This is a clever workaround because it allows you to indirectly use PayPal or Venmo (which usually ban gambling transactions) to fund your offshore casino account. The limitation is that it relies on other users being available to trade, so it can be slower during off-peak hours.

PayPal and Play+

If you are lucky enough to live in a regulated state, you have access to more convenient options like PayPal and Play+ and don’t have to deal with crypto.

PayPal: Fully integrated into sites like BetMGM and DraftKings. It offers instant deposits and very fast withdrawals (usually under 24 hours).

Play+ Cards: These are prepaid debit cards issued directly by the casino. They are arguably the best method for regulated play because they have the highest approval rates. You fund the Play+ card with your bank account, and you can even use the physical card to withdraw cash at an ATM or buy coffee.

The “Old School” Methods: Checks and Wires

If you refuse to use crypto and cannot use P2P, you are left with the traditional banking rails: Courier Checks and Bank Wires. These are the least efficient methods.

A “Check by Courier” from an international site can take 10 to 15 business days to arrive and often comes with a hefty fee (sometimes $50 or $100 per check) if you withdraw frequently. Bank Wires are faster but usually have high minimum withdrawal limits (often $1,500+) and incoming wire fees charged by your bank. We generally recommend these only as a last resort for cashing out large jackpots. But in all honesty, you’re better off learning how to use crypto instead.

Live Blackjack Strategy

There is no magic winning strategy for live blackjack. While we teach card counting for playing at offline casinos, the most optimal approach for live blackjack is basic strategy.

We have created a simplified “cheat sheet” specifically for standard 8-deck Live Dealer games. Keep this image open on your screen or print it out. If you follow it religiously, you reduce the house edge to around 0.5%, giving you the best possible chance to win.

What to Expect at US Live Tables – Some Tips to be Aware of

Here are some tips and things you should keep mind of when playing: