Best Online Roulette Gambling
The Best Real Money Online Roulette Casinos in 2021 Your Guide to Playing at the Top Roulette Sites Roulette is one of the most popular table games to play at online casinos. Lucky for you, we. All the best casino portals offer different variations of the game including American, European, and even multiplayer variations, where you can actually play alongside other players in free roulette games. To get access to gambling sites' free online roulette tables, just find an internet casino that you like and download the software.
In your search for the best roulette casino in 2021, there are a few important aspects to keep in mind. This selection and analysis will help ensure that the site you choose is best for you.
What are the Top Roulette Casinos Online?
What is considered as the best roulette casino is subjective to each player’s preferences. It usually depends on one or more of the following factors :
- A casino that offers a big bonus
- The ‘real casino feel’
- The ability to play with live dealers
Play European roulette free online first Playing in practice mode is a smart way to play without risking any of your cash. It's ideal for testing out European roulette betting systems or getting. Many gambling sites offer live roulette, but how do you pick the best one? Our in-depth online casino reviews cover all the bases. We rate them based on welcome bonuses, game selection, banking methods, safety, and player trust.
Rank | Roulette Site | Rating | Official Link |
---|---|---|---|
1 | bet365 casino | 9.6 | See Bonus |
2 | 888Casino | 9.6 | View Bonus |
3 | Mansion | 9.5 | Get Bonus |
4 | BGO | 9.5 | BGO Bonus |
5 | Bovada (US only) | 9.5 | See Bonus |
6 | LeoVegas | 9.5 | See Bonus |
(Updated March 2021)
Best Mobile Roulette Casino
- Mobile Specialists
- Biggest Range of Games
- Highest Paying Slots
- Award Winning
One thing is for sure, you should start by only playing at roulette casinos that are regulated and licensed. They should be in a jurisdiction that allows online casino games to ensure your money is safe.
Don’t be persuaded by huge bonus offers from casinos you’ve never heard of without checking out reviews first! We’ve tips on how to play the game here.
This article will save you some work. We’ve judged the casinos that offer roulette by a number of criteria including security, software, games offered, and customer service.
We have searched high and low for the best roulette casinos, and tested a huge number of them along the way. The following make our shortlist:
Overall Best Roulette Casino for 2021
888Casino.This globally renowned brand that has been in business since the 1990s is listed on the London Stock Exchange. It offers players the best in traditional roulette as well as live dealers and the latest & greatest 3D games.
The roulette variants on offer include French roulette which offers the best value to the player of any roulette variant.
888 is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular gaming brands. A quick look around their site will show you that they offer live roulette games with real croupiers 24×7.
They provide players with slick proprietary software that loads quickly in both versions – instant and downloadable. This gives that real casino ‘feel’ with a certified 97.43% payout percentage.
The roulette games at 888 are fully compatible with all desktop PCs (Windows, Mac et al). They also offer all of their games for mobile and tablet devices.
When it comes to bonuses, 888 have tailored some nice offers in the past. It’s well worth checking out their site for the most current (see the link below which takes you there).
A huge number of payment options such as Visa and MasterCard debit cards, bank cheques and wire transfers are offered. Also, the following e-wallets can be used – WebMoney, Moneybookers (Skrill), PayPal and Neteller.
We think that 888 has all that you could possibly want in an online casino. If you’re only going to create an account at one site, our call would be to make it this one. It’s the casino that offers the best online roulette games around at the moment, by far.
- Globally Recognised
- Recurring Bonuses
- Poker and Sports Betting
- Proprietary Software
- Mobile Casino
- Live Dealer Games
Best Roulette Casino Software
Mansion Casinois one of the oldest and most trusted names in online gaming; They run a fantastic line-up of roulette variants.
Their casino comes in both instant play and downloadable versions which run on a notoriously reliable software platform. They also have an excellent mobile app allowing you to play roulette on the go.
You can even play games with live croupiers via video link. All of these features mean they get the nod as our number one for slick and realistic software for playing roulette online.
In terms of cashier options, it’s not limited to just debit cards. Bitcoin, eWallets like Skrill and Neteller, vouchers like UKash and Paysafe Card are accepted. UK-based players can now deposit and withdraw through PayPal.
If you become a regular player you might even be treated to VIP trips; These have been to football matches, live casinos, and more.
The online casino (like all should be) is protected with SSL encryption which safeguards the personal and financial data of the players. Don’t go anywhere near one that doesn’t have this in place. Mansion has a dedicated customer service team that can be contacted through live chat or e-mail 24/7.
- UK Licensed
- Massive Bonus
- Powered by Playtech
- Great VIP System
Best Range of Roulette Games
LeoVegas Casino: Once the relative newcomers to the online casino world, LeoVegas certainly made a big initial splash. Now they’re very much an established player in the market.
To achieve this, they have gone to great lengths to bring their players all of the best games out there. When it comes to the best roulette casinos, you’ll find no less than 27 variants to play there. Yes, TWENTY SEVEN!
They take all of the usual deposit methods, and they’re licensed in the UK and in Malta. Even if you’re not sure, LeoVegas lets you try all of their games for free without even having to sign up, which is a really nice touch.
After years of making waves in the industry, it’s one of the best roulette casinos to open an account with; Especially if you would like to try different variants of the game.
- Mobile Specialists
- Biggest Range of Games
- Highest Paying Slots
- Award Winning
Best Customer Service
Bet365 Casino: We think that Bet365 is a really top-notch roulette casino, and part of one of the biggest online gaming brands in the world. We like that it is licensed in the UK with 24/7 support via international freephone whenever we’ve needed it (not often) and live chat as well as email.
We also really like that the site offers several variations of roulette in both downloadable and Instant Play software versions; In particular the increasingly popular live dealer roulette games – with a sleek mobile app for playing roulette on the go.
The graphics and audio at Bet365 are clear and crisp and we love the smooth animations. Again, with a licensed and regulated gaming brand, you’ll have a host of payment options.
This includes debit cards, wire transfers and, of course, e-wallets as well as many more. You’ll also be able to bet on sports and play poker, bingo, and the financial markets all with the same account.
We’ve used a lot of casinos over the years and in our experience, bet365 casino customer support really is second to none. They really do go the extra mile.
If you watch the video below, you will be able to see me playing French roulette on bet365 casino; This should give you a pretty good idea of what it’s like.
- Wide Variety
- Great Service
- Payment Options
Best Live Roulette
When it comes to live roulette, the classic casino game has become quite a standard offering.
However, some operators have made it their specialty and we particularly like the way that BGO Casino has set things up right from the moment you enter the lobby. Once you are there, you’ll be able to select from Playtech-powered live roulette tables ranging from Speed Roulette, Slingshot Roulette and the ‘premium’ Grand Roulette.
To top this, you can try your luck on BGO Prime Roulette which is a European roulette table designed exclusively for BGO players. It features a clear view of the roulette wheel and zooms in on it when the ball is in play. It’s the next best thing to being there!
——————
Best Roulette Casinos: What you Should Know
Roulette, meaning ‘little wheel’ in French, is a casino table game where you can place bets. These can be on any of these featured on the wheel:
- single numbers
- multiple numbers
- black or red
- even or odd numbers
At online casinos, the game is offered in two formats. These are the software-generated version and one that features live dealers on video streams.
Personally, my preference is the live dealer format myself, as I like the fact that it’s so much more realistic.
Main Roulette Variants
There are two major types of roulette – American and European. The wheel in the American roulette game has numbers from 1-38 and the European roulette has 1-36 in either red or black. The number 00 is included in the American version and not in the European version.
If you’re planning on playing at roulette casinos, you should opt for a site that offers the European version. This is nothing to do with being patriotic if you are from the US. It’s just common sense to help you have a better chance of winning.
As it has a reduced house advantage, the game of European roulette increases your chances of winning. You’ll come across some wacky variants online such as Mini Roulette and things like Double Bonus Spin Roulette.
However, for the most part, the classic European roulette game gives you the best chance of winning.
Live Roulette Casinos
If you like to play roulette for real money and cannot make it to a land-based casino, then you can opt to play at roulette casinos that offer what’s known as ‘live roulette’. This format is different from the online roulette that is offered at most casinos.
The live roulette features a human croupier at an actual roulette table that can be viewed on your computer screen. They basically live stream the session to you. The croupier is often a young woman with an eastern European accent in the majority of times that I’ve played.
You won’t be playing the game against the site’s random number generator but against a real wheel. You will be alongside other players who are also online and virtually ‘sat’ at the table alongside you.
The environment provided by this roulette format is unparalleled as you will not be watching graphics but a real video where the dealer will be taking your bets and spinning the wheel.
The main advantage of live dealer roulette at online casinos is that it offers an actual roulette-playing environment similar to that in a real casino. What’s more, instead of making your way down to a casino for the thrill of playing roulette and the social interaction with other players, you can enjoy the excitement of the game from the comfort of your home.
Some online casinos have also installed a live-chat feature in these games; These allow you to send messages to the croupier and to other players. This adds another dimension to make the whole thing more sociable.
Roulette Casino Betting Options
A roulette table can be a confusing thing when you first see it. There are a lot of places to put your chips! We’ve made a handy guide (see graphic below) that shows you all of the different betting options that are available.
Whether you want to play it safe and go for small wins by betting on red or black or go for the big payday by going straight-up on single numbers, is completely up to you!
Choice of Software
Select an online casino that offers you a choice of the best roulette software – Instant Play/Flash version and downloadable version. The Instant Play or Flash versions allow you to access roulette games quickly. You just have to select the instant play icon to start playing roulette.
One of the benefits of selecting the version is that you will not have to wait for the software to download to your computer. Also, you will not have to worry about the compatibility of the software with your PC or Mac’s operating system when you use the flash version.
By opting for the downloadable version, you will be able to play the game on your computer whenever you want. You will not have to log on to the site each time and select the Instant Play option to start playing online roulette at a casino.
Roulette Betting Systems
Something that you might come across when you read about roulette are these so-called ‘systems’ that are designed to help you make a profit. The most popular one is something called the Martingale system and it’s fun to think about.
The Martingale system basically works as follows for roulette: You pick red or black and bet $1 on it. Should you win, great, you then bet another dollar on the next spin. If you lose, you double your previous bet in the hope that you can recover the loss from the last time. If you happen to lose again, you double your bet again! Confused yet? Let me give you an example to help:
Let’s say that you bet on red and it loses 5 times in a row. The first time you bet $1, then $2, then $4, then $8, and finally $16. Your total outlay so far is $31. Next spin you bet $32 and red comes in. You get your $32 back and you also win enough to have covered your previous 5 bets with $1 profit left over. Sweet!
There’s a problem, though. What happens if you go on some kind of freakish run where black comes up 10 times in a row? Now you’re in the uneasy position of having to bet $2048 on the next spin if you want to continue the system.
Even if you have a bankroll big enough, it’s often the case that the table will have a maximum bet so you won’t be able to continue the system. In reality, I’m afraid none of these systems give you an advantage over the house.
You should steer clear of them at all costs. Please heed my advice on this one, you will not regret it.
Roulette Casino FAQs
Still unsure about playing roulette? We’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions in our inbox from players new to online gaming and to roulette. They should address any additional questions that you may have about playing online at the best roulette casinos.
🏆 Which Roulette Casino is Best Overall?
We think that it has to be 888, thanks to the variation of live croupier games, payment options and high payout percentage.
🇺🇸 I live in the US. Can I play roulette for real money?
Sure you can. There are plenty of offshore companies that accept US players. Like this one, for example. Just make sure you only play at our list of the best online roulette casinos. There are plenty of shady operators out there, so GPWA approved portals like our site help out with guidance in this respect.
❓ What’s the Best Roulette Strategy for a Beginner?
Different bets on a roulette wheel come with different chances of winning. Obviously, the long shots will come in far less often, but you stand to win a lot of money when they do. Picking a single number will see you get 35 times your bet back, but you have to be pretty lucky to guess right. Depending on your bankroll it might be long gone before you ever win. A safer place to start for new players is one of the bets where you have a high chance of winning a smaller payout, such as picking red or black, or choosing whether the ball will land on an odd or even number.
❓ I Saw a Roulette Betting System Online. Should I Buy it?
Absolutely not. All of these systems are scams and simply don’t work. The game of roulette is based on basic mathematics, and no trick you perform can change that. Don’t believe the sales pitch – The house always has a slight edge and no system can overcome it. You just have to rely on luck!.
❓ How can I withdraw my winnings if I get lucky?
Most sites have a huge range of withdrawal options from bank transfer to e-Wallet to posted cheques. In the US you’ll often be limited to withdrawing by cheque, although things will likely loosen up over time.
More and more people can legally enjoy roulette games online.
Whether you enjoy free roulette for entertainment or gamble for high stakes, there are options for you. With competition between the casinos in regulated states, you will find big bonuses and loyalty rewards for players of all bankroll levels. Games are available on your desktop or mobile device.
This page has everything you need to enjoy online roulette games safely. You will find an overview of real money roulette games, bonuses and roulette apps below. At the end of the page, a FAQ will answer all your questions.
Best online casinos for real money roulette
Play free roulette online
Playing online roulette for real money
Head to your local casino and you will need to bet the minimum stakes to enjoy roulette. Stakes go up on weekends, with $5 to $10 on outside bets typically the smallest bets available. Head online, and you can play real money roulette for much smaller stakes. This gives you all the enjoyment (and chance to go on a winning streak) without the risk.
Improvements in network speeds have allowed for a new generation of online roulette games. Live dealer roulette lets you bet on a real game happening in real time, streamed from a studio. You can interact with the dealers and other players, giving this real money roulette option a social component.
The best online casinos offer welcome bonuses and ongoing rewards to roulette players. A 100% deposit matching bonus will get your bankroll off to a great start. Some casinos offer free play for new customers. While this is usually for slots, you can always head to the roulette games with the money you win with the free play.
For players who enjoy roulette regularly, it will pay to compare the loyalty reward programs of online casinos. Those loyalty points, reload bonuses and one-off promotions will make a huge difference to your bankroll over time.
How online casino bonuses work for roulette
When you first see online casino bonuses, they look similar. Many casinos offer a 100% match on your first deposit — sometimes over multiple deposits in a specified timeframe. The amount matched varies. The biggest welcome bonuses can reach $1,000 or more.
It is important to look at the terms and conditions of bonus deals. There are major differences covering the playthrough requirements, the type of games you can play to redeem your bonus and how long you have to meet your total.
Here is a checklist for roulette players:
- Is roulette allowed? Some casinos exclude roulette from the games permitted for bonus clearing altogether. Others will allow only a portion of wagers to count toward clearing.
- What is the playthrough requirement? All casino bonuses specify the number of times you need to bet the bonus money before cashing out. This can vary widely.
- How is roulette weighted? Slots contribute 100% toward clearing your bonuses. Roulette can be anything from 25% to 2% — depending on the casino. This can make a huge difference.
- Are specific bets excluded? Many casinos will state that covering too many outcomes is “bonus abuse” and will void your welcome bonus. An example is covering both red and black (with a small bet on the zeros). Look out for brands that don’t allow outside bets.
- How long will the bonus last? When you combine playthrough requirements with weightings, the requirements you must meet can be extensive. This makes the time allowed to complete your bets a key factor. Avoid roulette bonuses that expire too quickly.
Free roulette vs. real money roulette
You can enjoy roulette for free online. This can be to learn the rules or practice different betting strategies — or simply for entertainment. When you switch over to real money roulette, the spin of the wheel gets a whole lot more exciting. Even at the smallest stakes, having some real money on the line adds interest to your spins.
Advantages of free roulette games:
- Play a casino classic without risking any money.
- Try out different combinations of bets.
- Try out different roulette betting strategies.
- Find out which roulette variation works best for you.
Advantages of real money roulette games:
- The chance to win big adds excitement to your spins.
- Clear casino bonuses while you play.
- Enjoy live dealer roulette variations online.
- Take part in promotions and receive loyalty rewards.
Choosing the right online roulette game
Not all roulette games have the same odds. In fact, the house edge of one game can be nearly twice as high as one that looks almost the same.
The difference is in the number of green segments on the wheel. These are the zero and double-zero slots. With a single zero, the game has a house edge of 2.7%; add one more and this shoots up to 5.26%. You will find these marked as European (single zero) and US (double zero) at many casinos. When it comes to the odds, it is always better to choose the European wheel.
You will also find French roulette at some online casinos. This variation uses a European single zero wheel and features an extra benefit. Any time the ball lands in the zero slot, you get a 50% return of stakes placed on 50/50 outcomes. The effect on the house edge depends on what percentage of your bets are on outside chances compared to single numbers and combinations. If you bet only on the 50/50 chances, then the house edge is a tiny 1.35%.
Casino apps with roulette
Online casinos let you access their games via apps or websites. The web-based versions will respond automatically to your screen size, allowing for mobile play. If an app is available, you can be sure that the roulette games on it have been optimized for smaller screens.
Before you install a mobile casino app, you need to make sure you are getting the best available bonus. You can do this by following our links to the regulated casinos — and following the app installation instructions from there.
If you are using an iPhone or an iPad, the casino will direct you to the Apple App Store to complete your download. For Android roulette players, you will need to install the app from the casino website. Google does not yet allow real money roulette apps in its store — even though such apps are fully legal in regulated states. Downloading from the casino is safe and easy. You will need to accept the download from an “unknown source” to complete the process.
Apps allow you to claim your bonus, deposit real money and enjoy a range of games in addition to roulette. You will find that slots, blackjack and video poker are popular options.
If you are not in a state with regulated online casinos, then sweepstakes casino apps are a legal alternative. These turn casino games into mini-sweepstakes contests. They remain legal by offering free games and giving you “free” sweepstakes entries (chips for the real casino options) when you make purchases of the play-money chips.
Legal online casinos with roulette
It is now legal to enjoy online casinos in multiple states. There are regulated brands already operating in a number of states including New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In these regulated states, online casino and sports betting giants have partnered with local brick and mortar casinos. They have produced mobile casino apps and websites that use geolocation to work only within state lines.
In turn, the casino brands curate a list of games from software houses like IGT and NetEnt. These include multiple roulette options. Bigger brands set up studios in live casinos. This allows them to provide live dealer casino games.
Below is an overview of the roulette options at online casinos in three of the regulated states.
NJ roulette sites
- Golden Nugget Casino: You will find the roulette options under the table games tab in the lobby. Live dealer tables and software-based options are available. You’ll find European and French roulette games and advanced (racetrack betting) roulette. Novelty titles include bonus spin roulette, 100-to-1 roulette and three-wheel roulette.
- Caesars Casino: This casino has a separate roulette tab in the lobby, revealing nine options. One takes you to the live dealer lobby. The others are 100-to-1 roulette, three-wheel roulette, French roulette, Double Bonus Spin roulette and a selection of US and European wheels.
- Virgin Casino: You’ll find a small selection of table games at Virgin Casino. You can win community jackpots on any game. Options include American, European and French roulette. This casino does not have a live dealer option.
PA roulette sites
- BetMGM Casino:MGM partnered with Hollywood Casino in Pennsylvania. The online casino features multiple roulette variations, including black and yellow roulette and European roulette pro as well as the regular US- and European-style wheels. Advanced roulette includes the racetrack betting options, and French roulette has the best odds.
- DraftKings Casino: You will find lessons on how to bet on roulette games at this casino. DraftKings has novelty games that include basketball roulette and spooky roulette, which has a Halloween theme. You will also find live dealer roulette options at this casino.
- Unibet Casino: You will find a live dealer room at Unibet Casino, featuring games dealt in real time while you bet through your desktop or mobile device. It has exclusive Diamond Series software-based games, EU roulette, French roulette and advanced roulette options to choose from.
WV roulette sites
- BetMGM Casino: If you check the roulette tab at BetMGM in West Virginia, only four games appear. There is one more — the Irish themed Luck o’ the Roulette — under the table games tab. Your regular options are black and yellow roulette, plus American and European wheels. There is no live dealer option at this casino in WV.
- DraftKings Casino: With free casino credits up to $45, there are more reasons than just the roulette games to check out DraftKings in WV. You can enjoy a selection that includes European and US wheels, plus the sport-themed basketball roulette, spooky roulette and other novel variations.
MI roulette sites
- BetMGM Casino: The table games tab on BetMGM Michigan is nicely separated into rows of different game types, so it’s easy to see that there are four different roulette games that are available. Naturally, BetMGM offers both American and European-style roulette wheel variants. There are also the Black & Yellow and Luck o’ the Roulette options.
- FanDuel Casino: FanDuel Casino is a tab from the site’s sportsbook, and, in turn, roulette has its own tab in the casino. Although it seems likely that FanDuel will add to the selection in the near future, there are two American roulette options and a European roulette option from which to choose.
- Golden Nugget Casino: Golden Nugget Casino has one of the finest online casino sites in the land. For roulette players, there are all of the standard options that you’d expect. There is also a 100/1 game which pays out 100-1 on single number hits. Finally, Golden Nugget is almost certain to have a live dealer roulette game before too long.
How do sweepstakes casinos work?
Sweepstakes contests are legal in nearly every state, often taking the form of marketing promotions like draws and contests. Casinos have been using these laws to offer slots and table games since 2016.
To stay legal, sweepstakes casino bands like Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots and Funzpoints can’t sell you chips to gamble with. Instead, they give you them for free — when you buy a different currency that you use for play-money gaming.
You then use the “free” redeemable currency to play games — which are treated as fast sweepstakes contests. If you win while playing with the redeemable currency, you can swap your winnings for real cash prizes and legally withdraw the money to your bank account.
There are big jackpots to be won — though the selection of table games is more limited.
What to look for in an online roulette casino
Best Online Roulette Gambling
When you choose an online casino, there are many factors besides the bonus deals to compare. They include the types of games, which ones are available on your phone, whether the casino has live dealer options and the legal status of each brand.
This list expands on some of those key factors to consider:
- Roulette variations available: Most casinos will have a US wheel and a European wheel. The variations expand rapidly from there. You can find French roulette, multi-wheel games, mini-wheels design for smartphones, roulette games with progressive jackpots, multiplayer games and live dealer options. The quality of graphics will also vary between games, with some having 3D effects and realistic betting surfaces.
- Bonuses and promotions: Casinos in regulated states often use free play bonuses to attract new players. You should also compare welcome (deposit) bonuses, promotions and loyalty programs. The best casinos work hard to keep loyal players well rewarded. If your current casino does not offer regular promotions, it is time to switch.
- Mobile games/apps: For the best experience on your smartphone, you should download a casino app. There are big differences in the number of roulette games available on these apps compared to the options on the desktop/browser casino sites. You also can try out responsive browser casinos on your phone; many will work perfectly after automatically adjusting to your screen size.
- Live dealer roulette: Casino table games that are dealt in real time are massively popular. They have a social element (via text) and are visibly fair. Some of the biggest brands in regulated states have set up live dealer studios. Smaller casino brands may not have this option.
- Legal and regulated: While many people choose to gamble at offshore casinos, you get zero protection in the (all too frequent) event that your money or bonus disappears. This gives regulated/legal casinos a huge edge. You will know your money is safe and that you have a way to complain if you feel you have been treated unfairly.
- Customer support: It is worth checking the reputation of any online roulette site for support before you play. Casinos offer telephone support, instant chat options and email. Friendly and helpful staff to assist with deposits, questions and withdrawals can make the difference between a good casino and a great one.
Live dealer roulette online
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You can now re-create the feeling of playing roulette in a brick and mortar casino online. Live dealer casino games are hugely popular. They work by streaming a view of a real roulette table in real time to casino websites and apps. You can verify that the action is live by interacting with the croupier and other players via text chat. Dealers will reply verbally, as they are busy spinning the ball or dealing cards.
A key factor for live dealer roulette is that the games are timed. You bet by dragging and dropping chips onto an overlay of the roulette betting surface. When “no more bets” is called, the ball is spun and winning bets are automatically settled. You can “rebet” or switch numbers each time. If you miss the deadline, the ball spins without your wagers.
In addition to games with a dealer, live dealer casinos often feature auto-roulette. This is a real physical wheel that spins automatically at set intervals.
Roulette odds: the truth in numbers
Roulette has an inherent house advantage of 5.26%. This means that if one bets $100 anywhere on the felt, the player’s expected return is $94.74.
Hold percentage is naturally higher than house advantage. This is because players do not have the bankroll or time to beat the casino in the long run.
Furthermore, roulette affords opportunities to win many multiples of one’s wager, like three, eight, or up to 35 times players’ initial wager. But players can also lose those profits quickly. While other table games have specific wagers manufactured within them that are (in terms of expected value) worse for the player, roulette is generally known by the gambling community to be one of the less friendly games to gambling bankrolls.
A very key point is that every possible wager is equally disadvantageous to the player. A $10 bet on 00 or RED or EVEN would carry the same negative expected value of -$0.526 (fifty-two point six cents).
The house edge on roulette
Before jumping into the concepts of the gambler’s fallacy, independent events, and mutual exclusivity, it helps to establish a clear thesis that the only way to (legally) affect the casino’s advantage is to play only old-fashioned European Roulette. (It has only one green zero on the felt.)
A fair motto might be the fewer zeros, the better. The standard roulette wheel today, sometimes differentiated as American Roulette, features a zero and double zero. If there are 38 numbers on the felt, but a wager on exactly the correct number pays 35-1, the casino has a 5.26% house advantage on the game.
It’s a little simple math — don’t be alarmed:
- Odds of 35-1 means there are 36 total parts.
- 36/38 = .9474
- 1 – .9474 = .0526
- = 5.26%.
You can see how on a single roulette wheel, the house advantage is 2.7%. On the unfortunate Sands Roulette, it’s 7.7 %. Conclusion: don’t play triple zero roulette.
It’s important for gamblers to understand that each roulette spin is an independent event. That means previous spins do not impact the odds or probability going forward. There are 38 possible outcomes on a typical double zero roulette game. Eighteen are red, 18 black, and two are green.
There is an 18/38, or about a 47.4%, chance the ball will land on a red or black number. What is the probability that the ball will land on a red number if the past 10 spins landed on red? What if the last 12 spins were black? It’s always 47.4 %, independent from any past or future spins.
Wheel bias
This author, his host, and sponsors clearly and absolutely decry any form of cheating. That said, it would be unfair to ignore in a historical context how players have gained an edge by recording wheel bias.
Ultimately, roulette wheels are man-made. While today’s wheels are manufactured with computer precision, in a past era, the most astute gambler may have been able to record and exploit some of the smallest biases in wheel imperfections.
Online roulette FAQ
What is the best online roulette site?
A large element of the “best” site comes down to personal preference. There are some significant factors aside from the software, games and deposit options that separate online casinos. Bonuses (including ongoing promotions) can be a big factor, alongside the app and service. A popular pick in multiple regulated states is DraftKings Casino. This brand has multiple roulette options like live dealer games, basketball roulette and pro wheels with enhanced graphics.
Which online roulette game has the best odds?
If you can find a site with French roulette, this should be your go-to game. This variant uses a European wheel with a single green zero. If you hit that zero, then you get half of your stake back for any 50% (black/red or odd/even). Some variants of French roulette keep your bet in place for another spin instead. The odds of online roulette are as follows:
- American wheel (double zero): 5.26%
- European wheel (single zero): 2.7%
- French roulette: 1.35% (for 50/50 bets only) otherwise 2.7%
Some live casinos are now introducing games with a “triple zero.” This offers terrible odds and should be avoided whenever possible.
Can you make money playing roulette online?
Many systems claim to be able to beat roulette games. They use progressive betting, often alongside complex patterns. While these can reduce variance in the short-term, they cannot beat the house edge over time. Casinos would not offer a game that was beatable.
You can enjoy bonus money and promotions while playing roulette, which can put the odds of winning in your favor for a while. Over time, the house edge is baked into this game. Play for entertainment and enjoy the wins whenever they come.
Is online roulette rigged?
A great reason to stick to the regulated/legal casinos is that you can be sure that the outcome of wheel spins is fair. This is controlled by random number generator software — which is regularly audited as part of the licensing requirement in all states with legal gambling.
Games like roulette are tested over millions of spins to ensure that the outcome is random.