Roulette: The Classic Casino Game You Can Enjoy Online

Roulette first debuted in Paris casinos in the late eighteenth century. Fast-forward to today and this classic casino game is now available online. You can enjoy roulette through a smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac. The following guide covers everything you need to know about playing online roulette. It explains key differences between land-based and online roulette, getting started, different variations, roulette bonuses, and more.

Online vs. Land-based Casino Roulette

Roulette is a very popular game in brick-and-mortar casinos. Its classic gameplay, spinning wheel, and many betting options make it a favorite among casino goers. The roulette wheel can be an exciting place when one or more players go on a hot streak.

Online roulette doesn't have the same atmosphere as the land-based version. However, it does offer the same game in a more-convenient format. As mentioned before, you can play this game through a mobile device or desktop computer. The online version also lets you play for free, which is great for learning the bets. You might consider free roulette to master the basics before hitting a brick-and-mortar casino.

How to Get Started with Online Roulette

You can start playing roulette online with little trouble. Here are the simple steps to getting started at roulette sites:

Pick an online casino - Almost every gaming site offers roulette. You can use our reviews to find a trustworthy casino that excels in multiple areas.
Sign up for an account - Online casino registration is a simple process that involves entering a few personal details and submitting your account info.
Make a deposit (optional) - After registering, you can proceed to the cashier section. The next steps involve picking a deposit method and entering your desired amount.
Visit the games area - You should find one or more roulette variations in the table games area.
Place a bet(s) - The roulette board features a large selection of wagers, ranging from single numbers to red/black.
Spin the wheel and see if you win - Select the spin button to determine if you win or lose. Casinos pay accordingly based on your stake and winning bet type.
Repeat your wager or start over - Online casinos give you the option to repeat your exact same bet(s) or start over and select a different wager(s).

Should You Play Free or Real Money Roulette?

As shown above, depositing at mobile casinos is optional and you can still play for free. But the question is if you should play for free or deposit and enjoy real money roulette. Free online roulette is nice when you're learning the game and testing the mobile waters. The real money version allows you to turn hot streaks into true winnings. If you're worried about losing too much money, you can always play dollar stakes online.

The Different Online Roulette Games

The online gaming world offers different types of roulette games. You can see the three most common versions below:

American roulette - Has 38 pockets, including a single zero and double zero.
European roulette - Contains 37 pockets, including a single zero.
French roulette - Played on a European wheel, French roulette pays half back on wagers that lose due to the zero.

Other variations exist too such as 3D, double ball, and multi-wheel roulette. But the three games covered above are the most available at gaming sites. The American and European variants are especially common.

Roulette Strategy

Roulette isn't the most strategic game, but it does leave some maneuverability. The main thing you want to do is choose the best-paying version. Here are the roulette house edges for each game:

American - 5.26% house edge (double zero pocket lowers your odds of winning).
European - 2.70% house advantage (you benefit from only a single zero).
French - 1.35% house edge (the special rule that pays half back improves your odds).

Live Dealer Roulette

The term online roulette commonly refers to the software-based version at gaming sites. This version generates the roulette wheel, tables, and chips with software. Live dealer roulette differs because it's mostly like the brick-and-mortar version. It has a real dealer, authentic casino studio, real wheel, and actual ball that determines results. You can find live roulette available at most mobile casinos today. We recommend the live dealer game if you seek a more personal and real experience.

Online Roulette Bonuses

You can earn roulette bonuses at many online casinos. Deposit bonuses are the most common offers, and they match your deposit by a certain percentage. For example, you might qualify for a 100% match bonus up to $500 after making a deposit. You will need to meet wagering requirements (a.k.a. rollover) and other terms before cashing out a roulette bonus. Here's an example on how this works:

A casino matches your deposit by up to $500.
You deposit $200.
You now qualify for a $200 bonus.

We highly suggest reading the terms and conditions before chasing any bonus offer. Roulette normally contributes less towards rollover than online slots because it has a lower house edge. Again, you want to check the terms to see what type of wagering requirements you must satisfy before withdrawing.

Roulette Deposit Methods

You don't necessarily have to deposit and play real money roulette online. But if you're interested, you can fund your online casino account through a variety of banking options. Common deposit methods for online roulette include:

American Express
Bank transfer
Bitcoin
Cardano
Discover
Dogecoin
Ethereum
Mastercard
Neteller
Skrill
Visa

Jump Online and Start Playing

Online roulette isn't hard to get started with. You just need to find a gaming site and complete registration to enjoy free roulette. Our site offers plenty of top online casino recommendations and reviews. After picking a site, you can play for free or make a deposit and bet real money. The latter adds some thrills and only costs a $1 minimum bet. Whatever the case, you should definitely have a good time when playing roulette online.