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Genius guide to playing live roulette online
You don’t need to visit a brick-and-mortar casino to enjoy a realistic game of roulette. The best casino sites now feature a wealth of live dealer roulette games for players to get stuck into. Want to find out how these games work and why they’re worth a spin before you start looking for a new online casino? We’ve got everything you need to know about playing roulette with a live croupier.
Why play live roulette?
- More authentic roulette experience; realistic graphics and audio bring you the sights and sounds of a real casino
- Higher betting limits than random number generator (RNG) operated roulette games, making it a great option for high rollers
- Communicate with other live casino players and your roulette croupier using the live chat feature
- Highly trained croupiers with multiple language options
Live roulette variations
Getting started isn’t as simple as signing up and grabbing a seat at the first live roulette site you come across. The best live roulette sites offer players a choice of different roulette variations to play with a live dealer. These are some of the most popular:
European roulette
This is your standard roulette game, where the wheel will have 37 pockets: one green 0 pocket, 18 red pockets, and 18 black- these are numbered 1 to 36. You’ll be able to make inside or outside bets with a house edge of 2.7%. You may find VIP versions of this game at live roulette casinos.
American roulette
American roulette is pretty much the same as its European counterpart, but with an additional pocket, the ‘double zero’. You can make the same bets, as well as the ‘Five Bet’, but the increased number of potential outcomes takes the house edge just that bit higher, at 5.26%.
French roulette
This variation is pretty similar to European roulette, but its unique ‘La Partage’ rule gives players the chance to recoup some of their losses on an even-money bet if the ball lands on zero. The bet types are also often written in French.
Mini roulette
These games have just 14 pockets, numbered zero to 13, which means the bets and payouts work in a slightly different way to European roulette.
Auto-Roulette
Mixing the best of both worlds, auto roulette combines the authentic setting of a real casino with the speed of RNG roulette game, thanks to the automated roulette wheel.
Speed roulette
You’ll be playing single zero roulette with a live dealer, but games will be much faster, meaning there’s less waiting around.
Live roulette software developers
An increasing number of casino software developers are dipping their toes into the world of live casino games, but there are a few that stand out from the rest.
Evolution gaming
Dedicated to producing live casino games, Evolution Gaming has just about every live roulette variation you could hope for, with options in multiple languages. Its immersive Roulette title with Hollywood-style camerawork makes you feels as if you’re up close to the action, and the slow-motion replay means you’ll never miss the winning bet. Looking for something a little different? Set in an Art Deco environment, Evolution’s Lightning Roulette title allows regular roulette bets, along with Lucky Numbers and Lucky Payouts, offering more ways to win.
Playtech
With live casino games streamed from its purpose-built Riga studios, Playtech prides itself on offering some of the best live dealer casino titles in the business. But this attitude towards quality doesn’t mean Playtech compromises on variety, with a choice of speed roulette games, as well as ‘Prestige roulette’, which allows players to focus solely on the action as it unfolds, thanks to the option to hide the betting table.
NetEnt
Thanks to the NetEnt Live platform, NetEnt boasts some of the most immersive live dealer roulette options on the market. While its live roulette portfolio isn’t the biggest on the market, NetEnt live roulette certainly brings a realistic casino experience into the home. With perfectly-synchronised audio and graphics, the option to toggle between a felt or video stream, and the ability to make bets during the spin, players don’t have to compromise on their roulette gameplay when playing at home.
Live roulette vs RNG roulette
You might be wondering what sets live dealer roulette apart from the RNG roulette games you find at online casinos. Our genius team has got you covered.
Speed
Unless you choose speed roulette, you’ll find that it takes a little longer to get through a live roulette game than RNG online roulette. This is because croupiers control the pace of live games, and must must wait for the spinning roulette wheel to come to a halt before results can be declared.
Bet limits
While you can find high stakes RNG roulette at online casinos, the minimum bet limits for these might not suit casual casino players. Live dealer games tend to have a bigger range in betting limits, which makes them suitable for both casual players and high rollers.
Human touch
Live roulette games give you the chance to interact with the croupier, and other players, through the live chat feature. This means you can ask questions as you play, and get to enjoy the social aspect of visiting a real casino, from the comfort of your own home.
Play live roulette on your mobile
You needn’t be sat at a desktop computer to play live roulette games online. The best online casinos have mobile-friendly sites and apps that give players the chance to enjoy live roulette titles wherever they are. All you’ll need is an internet connection. You won’t have to compromised on graphics or functionality either, as modern software developers create games with mobile users in mind.
Live roulette bonuses
Want to stretch your bankroll just that little bit further? Claiming a matched deposit bonus can give you that all important extra game time for live roulette. These bonuses see online casinos and roulette sites match a player’s initial deposit, up to a certain amount, with bonus cash.
You might see this advertised as ‘100% up to £300’, which means you’d receive double your deposit, up to £300.
Of course, these bonuses come with terms and conditions that prevent you from withdrawing your bonus cash as soon as it’s credited to your account. Here are the factors you should look out for in the small print:
Wagering requirements
Also known as playthrough requirements, wagering requirements indicate how much a player must stake before they can request to withdraw bonus winnings. These requirements are usually set at around 40x your bonus amount- anything below this may be classed as a ‘low wagering bonus’. While no deposit bonuses tend to come with much higher wagering requirements, these are rarely valid on live roulette games. If you get really lucky, you might find a no wagering bonus for roulette. This means you’d be free to withdraw any bonus winnings straight away- in line with other terms and conditions, of course.
Minimum deposits
Keep an eye out for how much you’ll need to deposit to claim your live roulette bonus. Most sites require a minimum deposit of £10, but this may vary from casino to casino. It’s always best to read the small print before you sign up.
Wagering contribution
You might be able to use your bonus on live roulette games, but you won’t necessarily be able to complete wagering requirements by playing on these games. Bonus terms and conditions often state that wagers on different games contribute a different percentage to the completion of playthrough requirements. Slot wagers usually contribute 100%, while table games may count as little as 10% and are sometimes excluded altogether.
Capped Winnings
A live roulette bonus isn’t a free pass to hitting the jackpot; you’ll usually be subject to maximum win limits that restrict how much you can bank from bonus winnings. Any winnings you earn above this predetermined figure will simply go back to the casino. These win limits will vary between casino sites, and often depend on the size of the bonus in question. Some sites are pretty generous, and give players the chance to win a few hundred pounds, while others set limits much lower- sometimes as low as £10.
How to choose the best live roulette site for you
Our genius list should set you on the right path when it comes to choosing an online casino, but each player is unique – one size doesn’t fit all. We’ve put together a checklist of the factors you should consider when comparing the UK’s best live roulette sites.
Payment methods
You’ll need to make a deposit to play live dealer roulette games, so it’s important that your chosen roulette site offers your preferred payment methods. The best live roulette sites have banking options to suit everyone, from traditional bank cards to e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller. Of course, minimum deposit limits and bonus eligibility may vary depending on your choice. Neteller users, for example, are usually excluded from deposit bonuses.
Mobile compatibility
The best online casinos make every game available on mobile-even live roulette games. However, this isn’t the case for all online casinos- and, where some sites have native mobile apps, others simply allow players to use the mobile version of their site. You’ll need to weigh up the options to gauge what suits you best.
Games library
Of course, you’re after a top live roulette casino. However, if you want to play other casino games, we’d advise looking for an online casino with a well rounded games library. Even if you don’t fancy a game of slots now, it’s always nice to have a number of top quality gaming options at your disposal, from live blackjack to penny slots.
Player-friendly terms
The biggest bonus isn’t always the best. In fact, more often than not, the biggest bonuses come with terms that make it near impossible for most players to get their hands on withdrawable casino winnings. It’s important that a live roulette casino has terms that suit you, from minimum deposit and withdrawal limits to processing times and bonus eligibility.
Customer support
Most people play live roulette without a problem, but what happens if you do have a question? You’ll need to get in touch with the casino. The best UK casinos offer round-the-clock support via UK telephone, email and live chat, but you should check that a site has suitable contact options before you sign up.
Ready to play live roulette?
Now that you’re pretty much a live roulette genius, you’re probably ready to get involved for yourself. Not sure where to start? Our casino genius has hand-picked a list of the best live roulette casinos for you to pick from. Our expert casino reviews detail everything you need to know about an online casino before you sign up and start playing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim a live roulette bonus on my mobile?
Yes. Playing live roulette on your mobile doesn’t mean you have to compromise on claiming a bonus. You’ll have access to the same deals and promotions as if you were playing on a desktop computer.
Does live roulette have a higher house edge?
No. The roulette house edge is dependant on the variation you play, rather than if you’re playing RNG games, live roulette online, or roulette at a brick-and-mortar casino- providing you’re playing at a licensed casino. Governing bodies, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) monitor all gambling operators, both online and offline, to ensure that they’re offering players a fair chance of winning.
Can I trust the croupier in live dealer roulette games?
Yes, if you’re playing at a licensed casino site. The UKGC sets high standards to ensure the integrity of live casino games. This includes casino-standard equipment and professional training for all dealers and croupiers. If a live roulette casino is found to be acting dishonestly, they will face regulatory action. All live roulette sites on the Casino Genius list hold a valid gambling license, which means you can rest assured that you’re playing in a safe and fair environment.
Can I play live roulette online for free?
Unfortunately not. Live roulette games are almost always reserved for real money players, though if you’re lucky enough to claim a no deposit bonus for live roulette, you could play without depositing. Otherwise, you can watch demos of live roulette games to give you a feel for what these games entail.
Will a roulette betting system help me win?
No. Betting systems, such as the Martingale or Fibonacci, are designed to help players with bankroll management, rather than to help you win. While they might claim to lead to an eventual profit, winning at roulette comes entirely down to chance, so it’s possible that you could run through your budget before you get a chance to see a win.
