What is the difference between a multiplayer online table game and a live dealer game?

Two very different technologies sit behind these game types, and mixing them up is easy because Ontario operators often list both under a "table games" tab. Here's how they actually work.

RNG table games: software-driven, solo by default

A standard multiplayer online table game — blackjack, roulette, baccarat — runs on a Random Number Generator (RNG). Every card draw, dice roll, or wheel spin is produced by a certified software algorithm rather than any physical action. Testing for these games must cover random number generators and the pieces of the igaming system that accept, process, determine the outcome of, display, and log details about player bets — that's the AGCO's requirement before any title goes live in Ontario. In practice, you're playing against the software at whatever pace you choose. "Multiplayer" versions of RNG games exist (several players share a virtual table), but even then the outcome is still generated by the algorithm, not a human. There's no camera, no physical cards, no dealer breathing on the other side of the screen. The upside: games move fast, minimum bets tend to be lower, and many platforms let you try them for free before wagering real money.

Live dealer games: a real person, a real table, a real-time stream

Live dealer is a fundamentally different product. It's a unique offering where players interact directly with real casino game presenters via live stream. Real cards are shuffled and dealt, and for roulette a real wheel is spun, creating the same feelings of anticipation as the player awaits the outcome. The AGCO defines this category precisely: live table games refers to a game which requires a "live" dealer, where the dealer may have a potential impact on the outcome of the game. That last clause matters — it's what legally separates a live game from an RNG game. The outcome isn't generated by software alone; a human action (the deal, the spin) is part of the chain.

From a player's perspective, the differences you'll feel day-to-day are pacing and atmosphere. Live dealer rounds take longer because they follow a real physical process. Chat functions let you interact with the presenter and sometimes other players at the table. Betting windows open and close on a timer. Some Toronto players prefer this format precisely because it removes any doubt about whether the software is behaving fairly — you can watch the card come off the shoe yourself.

What this means for playing on Ontario's regulated sites

Both formats are available across Ontario's licensed market. Being a fully registered and authorized operator in the igaming market means the organization has successfully received registration by the AGCO and executed an operating agreement with iGO, having met rigorous standards of game integrity, fairness, and player protections. That applies equally to RNG titles and live dealer studios — both are tested and certified before they reach players.

When you're choosing between the two, the practical considerations are: RNG games are faster and often cheaper to enter; live dealer games are slower, more social, and feel closer to a physical casino floor. Neither format changes the underlying math of the game — the house edge on, say, single-zero roulette is the same whether a software RNG spins the wheel or a human dealer does it on camera.

Whichever format you prefer, confirm you're on a regulated site by looking for the iGaming Ontario and BetGuard logos on the operator's page — that's your signal the site is managed by iGO and regulated by the AGCO. All legal Ontario play is 19+; ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600) is there if you ever want to talk through your gambling habits.