The game of roulette has become an icon for the gambling industry, with their shiny, ornate wheels often featuring prominently in casino marketing material. One of the original games of chance, over the decade’s roulette has evolved to become the centerpiece in many casinos around the world.
The word roulette is French for ‘little wheel’ but the exact origins of the game are uncertain. Some believe it was inadvertently created by French physicist Blaise Pascal while attempting to invent a perpetual motion machine. Others trace it back to a 16th-century English game called ‘roly-poly’ which used a spinning wheel to determine an odd or even outcome.
Best USA Friendly Live Dealer Roulette Sites
MYB Casino200% 1st Deposit Bonus Up To $2000
Ignition Casino$1000 in Welcome Bonuses
Big Spin Casino200% Sign Up Bonus Up To $1000
MyBookie Casino150% Casino 1st Deposit Bonus Up To $750
Slots.lv1st Deposit Bonus Up To $1000
XBet Casino1st Deposit Bonus Up To $300
|
Live roulette online
Nowadays, the game of roulette has been adopted by online casinos in the USA and reimagined in a multitude of virtual environments. Many are just a random number generators with a low-quality graphic of a spinning wheel, others attempt to create a realistic roulette table and casino environment. However, none of them match the experience of sitting at an actual roulette table with the true randomness of the ball and wheel.
That is where live dealer roulette comes in! With live dealer roulette, you are transported to the casino via high-quality streaming video and audio. You can bet and play in real-time with an actual human dealer, just as you would in a real brick-and-mortar casino. Chat with other players, speak to the dealer, and immerse yourself in the casino environment. Live dealer roulette has all the advantages of playing roulette live a real casino but from the safety and comfort of your own home!
Different types of roulette
Just as you would find in a real casino, live dealer roulette offers the three traditional versions of modern roulette: French, European, and American. Let’s explore their unique quirks and difference.
FRENCH
French roulette is the original and oldest version of the game and it provides the player with the best chance of winning. Like all versions of roulette it has the same 36 numbers, with betting on odds, evens, red, black, and any other combinations.
However, since French roulette only features a single zero AND pays back half your bet if you land on it, it has a very low house edge of only 1.35%. However, these days most online casinos don’t follow the rule of paying back half the wager on zero, so French and European roulette are often the same.
EUROPEAN
European roulette also features the standard wheel and table, with 36 individual numbers and a single zero. However, in European roulette, you lose your entire bet if the ball lands on zero. This slightly reduces your winning odds and gives the house an edge of 2.7%.
European roulette is far more common than French roulette and most online casinos that offer live dealer roulette will include a version of European roulette.
AMERICAN
American roulette is probably the most common version of roulette used in the U.S. today. It changes things up a bit by adding a second zero (00) to the wheel and table. All players lose their entire wager if the ball lands on either of the zeros.This means that American roulette offers the worst possible odds of winning, with a house edge of 5.26%. Other than the double zero addition, the rest of the table remains the same.
If possible, it’s best to avoid the American version when playing live dealer roulette. However, to compensate for the lower odds many games offer attractive bonuses and special offers on their American roulette games.
Advantages of live dealer roulette
Playing roulette live online offers significant advantages over both online roulette and roulette in a casino.
True Randomness
Live roulette is better than simply playing online casino roulette because you have guaranteed randomness. An online casino computer uses a random number generator (RNG) to simulate the spinning wheel. This is not the same as the true randomness of a real roulette wheel. If you prefer the genuine fairness of a real roulette wheel you can get it online with live dealer roulette.
Genuine Casino Feel
Playing roulette online just doesn’t have the same sights and sounds of a real casino. With live dealer roulette, you get the full immersive casino experience with HD-video and crisp, clear sound. It’s the next best thing to being in a real casino, with the privacy and safety advantages of being at home!
The Human Element
Part of the fun of the casino is the social aspect. At a normal online roulette casino, all you get is a cold and robotic environment. Live dealer casinos employ real human beings to deal at the tables and engage with customers. Enjoy the interaction and chat with the croupiers and other players just as you would in a real casino.
Security when playing live roulette online
Unfortunately, the nature of an online casino attracts cybercriminals due to the money involved. For this reason, it’s important to take note of some safety features to ensure you stay safe online.
1. HTTPS Encryption
Always check that the online casino you are using has secure HTTPS encryption. This ensures that any personal data you are sending to and from the casino is encoded and can’t be intercepted and stolen by hackers. You can confirm this if the web address begins with HTTPS and there is a padlock next to it. You can also use an HTTPS checker to confirm the certificate is up-to-date.
2. Read online reviews
Some online casinos may be licensed and have good encryption but may not operate honestly. The best way to find out if an online casino is trustworthy is to read independent reviews. There are many independent casino review websites that players use to share information about dishonest operators.
Always be sure to read several reviews from different websites to get an accurate idea about a casino, as some may post fake reviews.
3. Licensing
It’s always a good idea to check where an online casino is licensed because not all gambling licenses offer the same level of protection. Some countries have very weak restrictions and will sell gambling licenses to any operator without enacting the necessary due diligence.
Malta, Gibraltar, Alderney, Australia, and the UK offer some of the best gambling licenses with the strongest regulations. Any casinos licensed in one of these locations should be safe to use for U.S. players. The Isle of Man and Curacao also offer online casino licenses with relatively good regulations.
Where to play live dealer roulette online?
You can play roulette live online at any of the multitudes of live dealer casinos that provide interactive gaming. These days most major online casinos include a live gaming section which should be easy to find on their website.
There are many online casinos that cater specifically to the U.S market and many others that serve a variety of countries around the world. No matter where you are, you won’t have trouble finding a website that offers live online casino games.
Online live roulette payment and withdrawal methods
When playing live dealer roulette online you should make sure the casino offers adequate withdrawal methods. Some casinos have very limited options to withdraw winnings and you may find none of them suit your needs.
Usually, the quickest and easiest way to deposit and withdraw money at an online casino is with Bitcoin or similar cryptocurrency. Bitcoin casinos usually promise a free withdrawal within 24 hours but not all casinos support cryptocurrencies.
The next best options are usually an online payment gateway like Paypal, Neteller, or Skrill. These are also quick and easy (1-3 days) and have low fees associated. Check, credit card or bank transfer withdrawals usually take the longest and cost the most in fees.
Online live roulette wagering options
When playing live roulette online you get access to many of the same wagering options you would get in a normal casino. Most live roulette casinos have betting limits starting at $1, although some go as low as $0.50.
The maximum bet on the majority of online live roulette games is $5,000 but some major casinos have very high limits in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Usually, the higher the max bet the higher the minimum bet, so it’s a good idea to choose a casino that fits your budget.
Live casinos will usually specify what the limits are on a specific roulette table. Often, a high limit table will be named as such, ie: American Roulette (High Limit). Depending on the casino you select, you may also have the option to play live dealer roulette online in private. A private table game lets you play online roulette at your own pace and without interruption.
The best live roulette game developers
There are many game developers that make live roulette games for the global market. Some are better than others, so we have included a list here of the best ones to look out for.
Microgaming
Microgaming is one of the most popular casino game developers in the world. It offers the largest selection of live roulette games, including themed games with costumed dealers.
Evolution Gaming
Besides the usual American and European roulette, Evolution Gaming offers a variety of unique live roulette games like Double Ball, Mini, and Immersive roulette.
Visionary iGaming
Visionary iGaming provides high-quality HTML5 programmed live roulette games called VIG. These games are optimized to run smoothly on any device, from laptops to mobile phones.
Live dealer roulette FAQ
📌Is playing live roulette online legal?
While there is no federal law against online gambling in the U.S, you should always check to confirm the legality of gambling in your country or state. Depending on the state or country you are in there may be specific laws pertaining to online gambling. Online casinos around the world have different licenses that determine which countries they are available in.
📌Why choose a live dealer roulette game?
With live dealer roulette, you can get the real casino experience of playing roulette at any time you want from the comfort of home. Simply log in to the live casino of your choice, select a live roulette game, and get transported directly to the table.
You will also save time and money by not needing to travel to the casino, and you can enjoy playing online roulette in the privacy and safety of your own home.
📌Which version of live dealer roulette should I play?
The version of live roulette you choose depends on personal preference. Different live casinos feature different bonuses or specials on certain games, so you should take this into consideration.
Traditional French roulette would technically be the best option since it has the lowest house edge but the rule is seldom used online these days. Most of the time, European and French roulette are the same. American roulette is the only version with an additional double zero, making it the worst option with the highest house edge.
📌Is it safe to play live dealer roulette online?
You shouldn’t have any security issues if you are playing live dealer roulette at a properly licensed online casino. All decent online casinos should display their various licenses and certifications prominently on their website.
Like all other forms of gambling, live roulette can be addictive to certain people. If you feel you have a problem with your gambling, you should speak to your local gambling helpline.
📌Will my mobile device support live dealer roulette?
Almost all modern mobile devices like tablets and smartphones should support live dealer online roulette. The vast majority of live online casinos provide mobile versions of their live roulette games for both iOS and Android.
Live casino games usually require slightly higher bandwidth than normal online games, so ensure that you have a fast internet connection to get the best experience.
Laura has been writing for online casino publications for the last 2 years, focusing mainly on industry news but also with an eye on the latest casino sites and bonuses coming on the market. She has an eye for finding the best no deposit bonuses and seeking out offers with low wagering requirements!
Table of Contents