With the explosion of online gambling in recent years, casinos online have become a popular form of entertainment, offering the chance to play poker, blackjack, slots and roulette at any time and anywhere.
And while roulette has long been popular in brick-and-mortar casinos, the ease of use, game variety, and the availability of both live and automated games online have seen it make a successful transition to the world of online casinos.
For those who don’t know, roulette is one of the more simple ways to gamble too – players simply place bets on a number, colour, or range of numbers and then watch the wheel spin.
To help any players who may not be familiar with the game, we’ve put together a guide to online roulette, including how to play roulette online, the rules of the game, types of roulette games and bets, and beginner tips for playing roulette online.
Basic rules of online roulette
Understanding how to play roulette online is relatively straightforward as the rules of the game are simple.
A standard roulette wheel consists of 36 different sections, each corresponding to a number between 0 and 36.
The numbers between 1 and 36 are coloured red or black: from 1 to 10 and 19 to 28, odd numbers are red and even numbers are black. From 11 to 18 and 29 to 36, odd numbers are black and even are red.
The only number that isn’t red or black is zero, which is green.
Players place bets on a number, colour, or range of numbers, and the operator plays the ball. The player wins or loses depending on where the ball lands on the roulette wheel.
Types of bets in roulette
There are several bet types to know about when learning how to play real roulette online. Of course, narrow options – such as betting on 0 – have higher odds. However, there are other options for players who wish to focus on shorter odds with a greater spread, giving them lower odds but a greater chance of success.
Straight - A straight bet is a bet on a single number, with the odds of 35/1.
Split – This is where you place a bet on two adjacent numbers. It has odds of 17/1.
Street - Where you place a bet on three numbers, at odds of 12/1.
Corner - Where you place a bet on four numbers. This has odds of 8/1.
Six line – This is a bet on a line of six numbers, at odds of 5/1.
Red or black – This is a bet on whether the ball will land on a red or a black and has odds of 1/1.
Odd or even – This follows the same principle as red or black but with numbers and also pays 1/1.
1-18 or 19-36 – This is also an even split, with odds of 1/1.
Dozens – This is a bet on 1-12, 13-24, or 25-26. Odds are 2/1.
Columns – This is a bet based on the column on the roulette table. Odds are also 2/1.
Types of online roulette games
There are two primary variations of roulette that players will need to know about when learning how to play roulette online. These are:
European Roulette: This is the most popular choice available on roulette sites in the UK. Wheels consist of just one zero (0). It has a lower house edge than the American version. If you want to know how to play European roulette online, you can follow the steps in the section below.
American Roulette: In this version, the wheel has two zeros. It is not as popular overall, but can still be found on plenty of gambling sites. This version also has a higher house edge, so is perhaps not suitable for new players.
There are additional, lesser-played variations of roulette too, such as Mini Roulette or Multi-Wheel Roulette, for players seeking a different roulette experience. However, remember that these options are more suited to experienced players.
Step-by-step guide on how to play roulette online
For anyone unsure of how to play the game or use new casino sites, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to play online roulette:
Step 1: Select one of our recommended roulette sites, all of which offer a wide range of both live and automated roulette games.
Step 2: Select your roulette game type (European or American). Look at the stakes required – some games only require stakes as low as 20p and should appeal to those looking for minimum deposit casinos.
Step 3: Place your bets by clicking on the corresponding section of the table using your available chips.
Step 4: Start the game yourself by spinning the wheel using a button, or wait for the live operator to start the game.
Tips for playing roulette online
Below, we have provided a few tips for new players who are starting out playing online roulette.
Budget: Set a budget before starting to play and stick to it. Roulette games are designed to be entertaining, and they are not a way to make money, but players can quickly lose money due to its fast-paced nature if they aren’t careful.
Choose low risk games: Make bets with lower odds at first, such as betting on red/black or odd/even, while becoming familiar with how to play roulette online for real money.
Don’t chase losses: Avoid chasing losses by placing larger bets after losing streaks or going over your budget.
Free games: Take advantage of free demo games to practice without using your own funds. You may also find a casino offers free spins on a roulette wheel from time to time.
Use bonuses: When possible use casino offers that are available for playing roulette online. These can include welcome bonuses, free bets, reload bonuses and more, and they can help you recover losses or, in some cases, play without risking your own money.
Live dealer roulette vs. RNG roulette
The two main types of roulette that players will find online are live dealer roulette and RNG (random number generator) roulette. Below, we have explained the differences between the two:
Live dealer roulette: Features a live host and allows players to interact in real-time, offering an authentic casino experience. Grosvenor Casino are one of the standout roulette sites for live dealer games.
RNG Roulette: These roulette games are computer-generated and generally faster, and they are a better option for players wishing to bet without a community feel. There are a number of standout roulette sites that offer these games. Look out for ones that suit your budget and online gambling style.
Responsible gambling
When playing roulette online, it is vital that you remember to gamble responsibly. Online roulette is a game of chance and one where the losses can mount quickly if you aren’t careful.
Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. It helps to set a budget from the moment you start playing and stick to it. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.
If you need to, incorporate the use of responsible gambling tools into your play. These are offered by all safe betting sites and UK casinos, and they include self-assessment calculators, deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs.
Should you wish to seek help for gambling-related issues, there are several charities and healthcare providers who offer support and information:
Summary: How to play roulette online and win
Beginners can use our guide as a starting point to learn the basics of how to play roulette online for money, including the basic rules of the game, understanding how to play roulette online, what bets a player can make and the main types of roulette that are available at online casinos.
When starting out, remember to try online roulette with free games to get familiar with the rules and game flow. Once you are ready, try exploring roulette sites to find the best one for you according to your playing preferences
Keep in mind our top tips for playing roulette online; stick to your budget, check for free games and roulette bonuses, opt for low risk games and bets when starting out and never chase your losses.
Finally, remember to play responsibly while enjoying the excitement of roulette, whether using low-stakes bets or experimenting with different strategies.
How to play roulette online FAQs
What is online roulette?
Online roulette is the online version of a classic roulette wheel. The game consists of a wheel with sections numbered 0 to 36, and coloured in red, black or green, and players place bets on the ball landing on a number, colour, or range of numbers. Nowadays, roulette is available at a range of online casinos and casino apps.
What types of bet are available for online roulette?
There are 10 different types of bets available for roulette players. These are the straight, split, six, corner, six-line, red or black , odd or even, 1-18 or 19-36, dozens and columns. There is additional detail on each in a dedicated section above.
Are free games available with online roulette?
Many online casinos will offer free roulette games to help players get to grips with the game. Though you may know how to play roulette online for real money, when starting out it can help to play free games in order to gain some experience and make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into.
What are the best online roulette sites?
The best online casinos will all offer a range of roulette games, and we have recommended the best online roulette sites in a dedicated piece – these include LeoVegas, Gorsvenor Casinos and MrQ. All of our recommended roulette sites are licensed and regulated by the UKGC.
Can free spin spins be used in roulette?
While you can get free spins for roulette, usually free spins can only be used on slot sites. When you read an offer from an online casino that mentions free spins, they’ll tend to be for slot games, but it’s always worth checking.
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
We aim to offer every online gambler and reader of The Independent a safe and fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK’s best online gambling companies.
Gambling can be addictive, always play responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Gambling sites have a number of tools to assist you to stay in control, including deposit limits and time outs. If you think you have a problem, advice and support is available for you now from BeGambleAware or Gamcare.
Any offers or odds listed in this article are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Terms & Conditions apply to all offers.