How to Play Real Money Roulette Online

There are a couple basic versions of roulette (more on that below) but in practice, they all work mostly the same way. In each variant, there is a roulette wheel. On the wheel are 37 or 38 spaces depending on the variant. Of those spaces, 36 will feature numbers from 1-36 which are either red or black. The remaining one or two spaces will be a zero (0) and a double zero (00).

When starting a roulette round, the player must choose which space to bet on – the player can choose a specific number, a range of numbers (like 1-10), or a color (red or black). Once all players have chosen, the dealer will spin the roulette wheel and release a ball inside it. That ball will determine the outcome of the round.

Remember we mentioned the zero (0) and a double zero (00) spaces? These are really not great for the player and can’t be bet on. If the ball lands on a zero, then all players who placed and even bet will lose their entire wager. When we say even bet in roulette, we mean any bets on red or black, odd or even, and 1-18 or 19-36.

When the roulette wheel stops spinning and the ball lands, the dealer settles the round. If a player bet on a color, they will get a payout if the ball landed on that color regardless of the number.

Players betting on numbers will only get a payout if the ball landed on their specific number or a number within their chosen range.

Types of Real Money Online Roulette

There are four basic versions of roulette with basic differences between them. The main difference between these variants is the number of zero spaces – some versions have just a single zero while others add the double zero as well.

  • American Roulette: This is the most common, classic roulette variant. It has both a single and double zero. The house edge is 5.26%.
  • European Roulette: This version is just like the American variant except there is only a single zero. As a result, the house edge drops to 2.70% – that means this game is better for the player.
  • Atlantic City Roulette: This variant has both a single and double zero, but it also adds the La Partage rule. This rule actually makes the game a bit more player-friendly since it means you only lose half your bet on even bets if the ball lands on a zero space. Thanks to La Partage, the house edge on even bets here is just 2.63%.
  • French Roulette: Arguably the most player-friendly roulette variant, this one has just a single zero but also includes the La Partage rule. As a result, house edge on even bets is just 1.35%.

It should be clear based on the explanation above that the zero spaces are bad for the player. For that reason, we recommend playing versions with single zeros over versions with double zeros.

Online Roulette FAQ

❓ Is real money online roulette legal in the USA?

Yes it is! However, depending on the state you’re in, the options available to you will be different. In some states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan, you will find legal online casinos operating within state lines. Anyone inside these states can legally access these sites for real money roulette gambling. Outside these states, your options are sweepstakes casinos and US-friendly international casinos.

❓ How do I play roulette?

Roulette is one of the simplest casino table games. All you need to do is pick your wager – red or black, odd or even numbers, a range of numbers, or a specific number – and place your bet. The dealer then spins the roulette wheel and the rest is up to chance!

❓ Where can I find live dealer online roulette?

You can actually find some options right here on this page! Our curated online real money roulette guide has lots of reputable options chosen by our own in-house experts. Some of these sites do offer live dealer online roulette. Live dealer roulette is one of the best live dealer casino games because it brings some of the interactivity back into this fun and engaging casino game.

❓ Which roulette variant has the best odds?

Roulette versions are work the same way, but the odds differ based on the number of zero spaces (single/double zero) in the game. Overall, we recommend avoiding roulette versions with a double zero because this increases the house edge and lowers the player’s chance of winning big. For that reason, we recommend European Roulette or French roulette above other versions – these have just a single zero. Both American Roulette and Atlantic City Roulette variants use a double zero so we suggest avoiding them if possible.

❓ How are the numbers organized on a roulette wheel?

Roulette wheels are not designed in a random fashion. In fact, the layout of the wheel is very deliberate and based on math. In general, numbers are grouped in pairs or triples that add up to either 37 or 39. In this way, any given section of the wheel should be roughly equal to any other section. In total, all the numbers on the wheel add up to 666. There is actually a bit of roulette legend here – the story goes that a major French casino operator from the 1800s sold his soul to the devil in exchange for the game of roulette, and that’s why the numbers equal the “number of the beast.