There’s no way that you’d walk into a casino and not see a roulette wheel. It’s the same with online casinos – and you can choose from RNG-based 2D games or live dealer titles. The best part is that you might be able to play roulette online with a bonus.
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 dealersThere are several modified variations of roulette, like Lightning Roulette, Mini Roulette, and more |
What is live roulette online?
As the name suggests, online roulette is the virtual iteration of the classic casino game of roulette. With online roulette, casino sites offer roulette games right on your screen. In other words, you don’t have to put on fancy clothes and go to an actual casino.
To play roulette online in the UK, you will have to sign up at a licensed casino, make a deposit, choose from a variety of games, and get the wheel spinning.
However, before you do that, there’s something you should know. There are two kinds of roulette that you can play online – the 2D RNG-based game and the live dealer title.
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 –
2D RNG-based roulette | Live roulette |
The game runs on RNG software | The game is hosted by a live dealer |
Features a computer-generated wheel | Features a physical wheel |
Faster and shorter rounds | Slower and longer rounds |
Social interaction may be limited to chat or none at all | Can interact with dealers and other players via chat |
Wider betting range to accommodate a wider audience | Likely to have high minimum bets |
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.
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
As members of our team have been involved in the industry for years, they know a thing or two about roulette and casino games in general. Here are some tips from them –
- Make sure you actually have working knowledge of roulette before you bet your real money on live roulette. Watch some YouTube tutorials and play for free to practice a bit.
- Don’t ignore the outside bets like red/black, odd/even, and high/low. They offer almost 50/50 odds, making them suitable for beginners or those who prefer a less volatile experience.
- 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
Getting swept into a live casino atmosphere and watching the roulette spin can be very exciting. And to keep that experience safe and comfortable, players can take advantage of responsible gambling tools and resources.
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
Where can I play online casino roulette?
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.
Online roulette vs live roulette – which one is better?
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.
Is online roulette legit?
Yes, roulette games at casinos are genuine and fair, ONLY if you play at licensed UK casino sites.
Can you play roulette on your phone?
Yes, most casino games are well-optimized for mobile, so you’d be able to online as well as live roulette on your phone.