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Roulette is a must – whether it’s an online casino or a land-based one. And thanks to online casinos, players in the UK can now get the roulette wheel spinning anytime and anywhere. So whether you like the classic American or European roulette, or if you’re looking for something like XXXtreme Lightning Roulette – you’ll be able to play it online. In this guide, we will be looking at what online roulette is, how it works, and the best casino sites to play roulette.
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In this guide, we will be looking at what you can expect when we say “live roulette online”, top roulette games from well-known providers, and the best casinos to play at!
| Key Takeaways: Players can play roulette online (2D games based on RNG software) or live roulette with live dealers. There are several modified variations of roulette, like Lightning Roulette, Mini Roulette, and more – so there’s a lot to explore. |
What is online roulette?
As the name suggests, online roulette is the digital iteration of the popular casino game. If you know how to play roulette at a casino, then you’d have no problem playing it online. All you have to do is – place your bets, watch the ball being tossed in the wheel, and then wait for the results.
The best part about online casinos is that you can play roulette anytime and anywhere. Plus, online casinos give you a lot of choices – you can play almost any type of roulette right from your mobile or laptop. Online casinos in the UK offer numerous roulette variations, including European, French, and American roulette. Online variants like multi-ball and multi-wheel roulette are also common.
Further, many casino sites let you play RNG-based roulette games for free, which is a great way to get familiar with the game before betting real money.
Online roulette vs Live roulette
Now, it’s time to understand how online roulette is different from live dealer roulette. Both involve you betting on numbers, watching the ball land on numbers, and then looking at the outcomes.
The first obvious difference is that the online iteration is entirely digital, while live roulette involves a real human dealer.
Let’s look at it this way –
- Online Roulette: This feels like you’re playing a video game. The wheel and ball are computer-generated, and the results are determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). You place your bets with virtual chips on a digital table layout. Very often, the layout is 2D, which would likely remind you of retro video games.
- Live Roulette: Meanwhile, live roulette feels like you’re stepping into a real casino. You watch a live video stream of a real dealer spinning a real roulette wheel. You have to place your bets on a digital table that overlays the video feed. Plus, you get to interact with the dealer and other players through a chat function.
Let’s sum it up in a comparison table –
| Online Roulette (RNG) | Live Roulette |
| These games use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to deliver random outcomes | These games are hosted by a real dealer who spins the wheel in real-time and streams to the player. |
| These are fast-paced and great for casual gamers | These are slower-paced due to real-time interaction and dealer involvement |
| Lower stakes are available, suitable for beginners and budget-conscious players. | Higher betting limits are available, catering to high-rollers. |
| Demo modes allow players to learn rules, test strategies and build confidence risk-free. | Live roulette games are not available in demo mode. |
| There is no social interaction involved in online RNG roulette games | Live chat enables interaction with dealers and other players for a social experience. |
Regardless of the variety out there, it all comes down to what you like. If you want convenience, speed, and privacy, then RNG-based roulette games might be a good fit. But if you prefer a more social and immersive experience, then live roulette is the way to go.
American, European, and French Roulette
Coming to the game itself, roulette has three main variations – American, European, and French. While the core gameplay remains the same, they pay out differently.
Here’s how the three roulette types differ –
| American | European | French |
| The wheel has 38 pockets (0, 00, 1-36) | The wheel has 37 pockets (0, 1-36) | The wheel has 37 pockets (0, 1-36) |
| The house edge is 5.26% | The house edge is 2.70% | The house edge is 2.70% (can be lower) |
| Outside bets on one side | Outside bets on one side | Outside bets split on both sides |
| No special rules | No special rules | “La Partage” and “En Prison” |
Ultimately, it boils down to your preference and what games are available to you at the moment.
Modified roulette games
Over the years, software providers have modified and gamified roulette and presented us with some exciting variations of it. For instance, Evolution Gaming has come up with innovative options like Lightning Roulette, which adds lucky numbers with multiplied payouts to each round.
Personally, I like to play Mini Roulette by Playtech. This condensed version features a smaller wheel with only 13 numbers (0-12), making it faster-paced and easier to follow. The reduced number of pockets also leads to more frequent hits, although the payouts are adjusted accordingly.
Best casinos to play roulette online
Before we jump on to other details, let’s take a quick look at some of the top UK casinos that you can play roulette at –
| Casino | Bonus | Rating |
| Casumo | Bonus up to €300 + 50 Free Spins | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| MrQ | 30 Free Spins on the first deposit of £10 | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| Heyspin | 100% bonus up to £50 + 100 Spins | ⭐ 9.5/10 |
| All British Casino | 10 Free Spins | ⭐ 8.5/10 |
| Pub Casino | 100% deposit match up to £100 | ⭐ 8.8/10 |
You can also check out more casino reviews on our site before you make a decision.
History of roulette
Interestingly, roulette has a fascinating history, its origins dating back ages. It is said that the Roulette’s roots can be traced to 18th-century France. However, some historians claim that Blaise Pascal created an early version in the 17th century while researching a perpetual motion machine.
That being said, the roulette that we play now combines elements of a gaming wheel from 1720 and the Italian game Biribi. Further, in the 1700s in England, a simpler version called ‘EO’ (Even/Odd) was also played, and it used a wheel similar to the roulette wheel.
Later, in 1843, French brothers François and Louis Blanc introduced the single zero roulette wheel in Bad Homburg, Germany, to compete with casinos using the traditional double zero wheel. This innovation gave players better odds and became a hallmark of European roulette.
Meanwhile, the early American roulette wheels included numbers 1 to 28, along with a single zero, double zero, and an American Eagle symbol. The Eagle, representing liberty, gave the house an extra advantage, but this feature eventually disappeared. The double zero wheel travelled up the Mississippi from New Orleans to the western side.
By the 19th century, roulette gained popularity across Europe and the US during the 19th century. When Germany banned gambling in the 1860s, the Blanc family moved to Monte Carlo, turning it into a gambling haven for Europe’s elite. The single zero wheel became the standard worldwide, except in the US, where the double zero wheel remained standard.
Then, in the early 1900s, Monte Carlo and Las Vegas emerged as the gambling capitals of the world, with Monte Carlo favouring the single zero wheel and Las Vegas sticking to the double zero version.
In 1996, InterCasino became one of the first online casinos to offer roulette. By 2008, hundreds of online casinos worldwide featured the game. Today, you can play countless variants of roulette at any of the licensed casino sites in the UK. And with mobile casinos and casino apps, you can take your game on the go.
How we select the best online roulette sites for UK players
As we have already covered in our online casino checklist, we look at the casino’s license, T&Cs, game variety, bonuses, and a lot more while reviewing.
To help you get better insights here’s a quick checklist of what we’d look for specifically for roulette –
- License: First of all, please make sure that the casino site you’re looking at is licensed by the UKGC and has a good reputation.
- Payment options: To ensure smooth deposits and withdrawals, check if the casino offers multiple payment options – including domestic ones.
- Bonuses applicable to roulette games: Casino sites offer a lot of bonuses, but they cannot be used on ALL the games. There are two things you should look for – the number of bonuses and whether you can use them in roulette games.
- Variety of roulette games: If you play roulette frequently, then you should look for a roulette site that offers a wide variety of roulette games.
- Mobile compatibility: If you want to enjoy a game of roulette on the go, then look for roulette sites that work well on mobile or offer a mobile app.
In addition to this, you should look for customer support options, casino promotions, and overall user experience.
How does online roulette work?
As mentioned earlier, online roulette games are based on RNG, while live roulette games are usually visually verifiable. To give you a better idea of how both versions work, here are two quick examples –
Online roulette
Imagine a computer program with a virtual roulette wheel and ball. This program uses an RNG to determine where the ball lands after each spin.
- Placing bets: To start with, you have to place your bets on the digital table layout
- Spinning the roulette wheel: When you click the “Spin” button, the RNG generates a random number that corresponds to a specific pocket on the virtual wheel.
- Waiting for the outcome: The ball lands in the pocket determined by the RNG, and the results are displayed on your screen.
- Payouts: If your bets match the winning number, you’re paid out according to the game’s payout rules. If not, you can choose to give it another shot.
Live dealer roulette
- Live Stream: You watch a live video stream of the table and the dealer.
- Placing Bets: You place your bets on a digital table layout that’s overlaid on the video feed.
- Spinning the Wheel: The dealer spins the physical wheel and releases the ball.
- Determining the Outcome: You watch in real-time as the ball lands in a pocket.
- Payouts: The dealer announces the winning number, and your winnings (if any) are automatically credited to your account.
Free online roulette
Now, most online casinos offer free demos of games to players. You can head over to your casino site, log in, search for the game, and click on ‘play for free.’ This is a great way to learn a new game, try a game, and see if you like it before betting real money on it.
Please note that free demos are available only for 2D RNG-based games and not for live dealer games. You can read reviews online for specific live games before you play them.
Play online roulette with a bonus
Most casino sites in the UK offer a welcome bonus as well as other recurring bonuses. Some even offer special bonuses for live casino games. In any case, if you happen to see one, claim it! With a bonus, your bankroll gets a boost and you get to spin the roulette wheel more.
Best online roulette UK
If you want to enjoy some quiet time and take some quick spins on the roulette wheel, then these picks are for you. Think of these recommendations as single-player roulette games –
| Game | Provider | Special Features |
| Xtreme Fire Blaze Roulette | Playtech | Fire Blaze Jackpot Feature and Multipliers up to 10,000x |
| Mini Roulette | Playtech | Smaller wheel with 13 numbers and faster gameplay |
| Roulette Nouveau | Relax Gaming | Racetrack Betting Area, Special Bets, Detailed Statistics |
| Golden Chip roulette | Yggdrasil | Golden Chip Feature with boosted payouts and Random Multipliers up to 500x |
| American Roulette | Platipus | Classic roulette with Double Zero and Five-Number Bet option |
Best live dealer roulette UK
If you want to feel like you’re at a real casino without having to dress up fancy, then you can check out the live dealer games. Here are some recommendations to get started with –
| Game | Provider | Special Features |
| Lighting Roulette | Evolution Gaming | Lucky Numbers with Multipliers |
| Age Of The Gods: Jackpot Roulette | Playtech | Progressive Jackpots |
| Double Ball Roulette | Evolution Gaming | Two Balls, Increased Winning Chances |
| Ultimate Roulette | Ezugi | Multipliers and Spread Multipliers |
| Power Up Roulette | Pragmatic Play Live | Power Up Bonus Rounds with Multipliers |
There are MANY more roulette games that you can try; the ones listed here are just some of our favorite picks.
| Having worked as a live Blackjack dealer for a few years, we asked Umer Khan from our team to explain what the social elements in a live game look like. “Basically, the game is streamed live, so the players can see me, but I cannot see them,” he said. “Players talk to me via the chat feature, and I respond verbally onscreen,” Umer added. “And of course, players can also chat with each other using the same chat function. All in all, it’s a much more ‘social’ experience than their RNG counterparts.” he said. |
Some roulette tips from our experts
While researching for this guide, we asked our team to give us some of their top tips for playing roulette online. We also visited some online forums to get tips from regular players.
- This may sound a bit obvious, but check the rules before you play any roulette game. Some variants can include different betting odds, extra bet spaces or differ from the standard 97.30% RTP (Return to Player) found in most online games.
- If you’re new to roulette, then it’s a good idea to begin with a classic roulette title like European Roulette or 20p Roulette. Plus, as mentioned earlier, playing for free is a great way to try out roulette variations and get the basics.
- A user on the Roulette subreddit commented, “It’s all about bankroll management! The problem with most gamblers is greed and not having a walk-away point.” In the same comment, the user added, “Start with 100 units, if you get to 120+ units, call that a session. If you drop below 50 units, call that a loss.”
- Here’s an unpopular opinion – don’t rely solely on betting systems. While betting systems like Martingale can seem appealing, they don’t guarantee wins and can lead to significant losses.
Responsible Gambling
Online roulette can be fun, and to keep it that way, it’s important to play responsibly. The first step towards safety is to play only on licensed and regulated platforms, such as those approved by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This ensures fair play and secure handling of personal and financial data. Further, casino sites in the UK are required to offer safe gambling tools like deposit limits, time limits, self-assessment, reality checks, and more. In addition to this, casinos also offer quick access to helpful resources like Gamstop, Gamcare, and more.
| You can get in touch with the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133. |
Conclusion
To sum up, you can play RNG-based roulette or go for the live dealer games. Plus, you have a wide variety of roulette variants that you can try – Mini Roulette, Lightning Roulette, and even themed games. To get started, you can head over to any of our recommended casinos that are licensed, trusted, and reviewed.
FAQs
You can play RNG-based roulette as well as live roulette games on most UK casino sites. You can check some of our casino recommendations to get an idea.
It depends on your preferences. If you want to play a few quick games and want a video game-like experience, RNG-based roulette will be suitable. However, if you want a more casino-like feel with social interactions, then you should go for live roulette games.
Yes, roulette games at casinos are genuine and fair, ONLY if you play at licensed UK casino sites.
Yes, most casino games are well-optimized for mobile, so you’d be able to online as well as live roulette on your phone.
While the base game is the same, the key difference is that European roulette has only a single “0” field, while American roulette has both “0” and “00,” which decreases your odds of winning.
