Roulette is one of the most played games in online and live casinos. European, French, and American roulette are the three widely followed versions. Of these versions, European roulette enjoys the most following and patronage from players around the world. The game’s continued dominance stems from its straightforward rules and acceptable house edge. In fact, most software developers who are into table games have multiple European roulette titles. 

It’s also common to find some European roulette online games with one or more exciting features that help amplify the available entertainment. This also applies to live roulette titles, where several features make your gameplay thrilling. In this article, we take a detailed look at European roulette, all you need to know about the rules and the applicable bets. You’ll also find our expert list of the best online roulette casinos in your country. So, continue reading to learn all that and more.

Best casinos to play European Roulette

Online roulette rules

Playing European roulette for real money requires a grasp of the rules, as they help you approach the game efficiently. Thankfully, the rules are included in every game, making it easy for all players to access them. The first rule you must understand about European roulette is that you wager on the number you believe the roulette ball will stop on after a spin. To this end, the numbers on the roulette wheel range from a single zero to 36. Number zero is placed in a distinct green slot. 18 numbers are placed in black slots, while the other 18 numbers are in red slots.  

The betting arrangement allows you to wager on a single number, a few numbers or a group of numbers on the game board. The European online roulette deploys random number generators (RNGs) to determine the number on which the ball rests after the spin. But in live roulette titles (excluding automatic-spin versions), an actual live host drops the ball into the wheel for spinning. Afterwards, the ball drops onto any number on the wheel. In all online casino roulette games, the winning number is displayed on the screen. Additionally, some titles provide an automated announcement of such a winning number. 

A new round starts immediately after the successful number is shown and the balance is updated (if you won). Some European online roulette games display cold and hot numbers and recent general winning numbers. While the game doesn’t have a winning pattern due to its RNG, these statistics may be helpful in decision-making.

European roulette table layout

European roulette online has a simple layout you can easily understand. The online roulette layout comprises a table, a wheel, and a ball that spins around the wheel. There are components on the layout that you should understand. Hence, this section discusses the table layout so that you can know the functions of each item on the table.

European roulette wheel

European online roulette games typically have a wheel, and that’s where the action happens. As you press the spin button, the game automatically drops the ball into the wheel, and it spins and rests on any number. You’ll even see as the ball spins in the wheel. And that’s the major difference between RNG-powered roulette and live roulette. The European roulette online wheel has the following number arrangement: 0, 32, 15, 19, 4, 21 . . . 3, 26.

As you can see, the numbers on the wheel appear in a random fashion, which is contrary to how numbers are displayed on the table. For every number on the wheel, there’s also an empty spot immediately above it, and that’s where the ball stops.

Roulette table grid

The roulette table is the part of the roulette game where you place bets on as many numbers as you want. Such numbers include 0 and 1-36 in their various coloured pockets. Even though different providers make games with varying graphic quality, the core online roulette table layout remains the same. Numbers 1 to 36 are placed in twelve rows and three columns, while the zero pocket has a separate pocket at the top of the table. 18 numbers have red slots, while 18 other numbers have black slots, but the zero stays in a green pocket. 

The numbers are arranged sequentially on the table. The table also comprises different bets you can make at online roulette, including inside and outside bets. Additionally, you can click/tap the Race track button to open announced or call bets, such as Tiers du Clylindre, Les Orphelins, and Voisins du Zero. You just have to place chips on the bet areas that favour your strategy.

European roulette game interface

Online European roulette resembles a typical roulette table at a land-based casino. The interface is even much more authentic in live European roulette, as the presence of live hosts and communication with them heightens each game’s appeal. Beyond graphic designs, all titles have certain buttons, icons, and features that make the gaming process easy for players. We explore them in detail below.

Casino chips

Whether you wish to play European roulette for real money or for free, you’ll always find chips on the screen. The chips have different amounts, ranging from the least accepted amount to the highest. All you need to do is tap/click on them before placing them on your preferred bet spots at the table. A lot of games have the “x2” button, which essentially allows you to double your initial bet in a subsequent round. 

Roulette settings

The settings tab lets you adjust the game sound and gives you access to the applicable rules. So, you can easily read the rules of the game and also switch on/off all sounds and animations. In some titles, the settings tab allows you to adjust your auto bet and activate turbo mode or quick spin. For some games with avatars or different background//studio themes, you can choose your preferred avatar or theme through the settings icon.

UI buttons

Leverage several game controls to make your sessions easy and seamless. You’ll find the Undo button below the roulette table, which cancels the last bet you have placed before pressing the spin button. If you proceed with a bet, the Undo button changes to Clear or Reset. The roulette screen also presents the autoplay button, which enables the game to place multiple wagers for you automatically. Meanwhile, the race track icon gives you access to announced bets, such as Tiers du Cylindre, Les Orphelins, and Voisins du Zero. Other buttons you can find include settings, sound, and paytable.

Statistics

Many games display hot and cold numbers on the screen, allowing players to glance through as they play. There’s also a detailed statistics section that shows different results in recent rounds. You can utilise these statistics while deciding the bet you wish to make on each round.

Roulette chat

Live roulette games retain a highly social outlook thanks to their chat feature. The chat function enables players to converse with one another and also with the host. Thus, you can easily relate your questions about the game to the host.

Bet types in European roulette

It’s essential that players learn and understand different available bets in European roulette before playing with real money. The game has regular bets like inside and outside bets, as well as announced (call bets) and neighbour bets. The best roulette players not only have a mastery of regular bets but also understand the other bets very well. This section of our review covers all these bets so you can understand and decide where to wager your money.

Inside bets 

Inside bets allow you to wager on a specific number or a few numbers within the innermost part of the table. As a general rule, inside bets come with higher payouts than outside bets because they present more risks and are more likely to lose. There are different inside bets, so we take a look at them below:

  • Straight-up: This requires you to place a chip on just one number at the table. You typically place the chip at the centre of the number pocket. The bet pays 35:1, which is the biggest reward at roulette.
  • Split: This is a bet on two numbers at the roulette table. You have to drop your chip on the vertical or horizontal line between such two numbers. You win if the ball rests on either number, and the payout is 17:1.
  • Street: Here, you’re to wager on three numbers. To do this, you must drop the chip at the outside line of any row of numbers. The street bet awards a payout of 11:1.
  • Corner/Square: You can wager on four numbers. You can do this by placing a chip on the point where four adjacent numbers meet on the table. This will form a square and cover the four numbers. It pays 8:1 if the ball lands on any of them.  
  • Line: The line bet allows you to stake real money on six numbers at the table. This is possible by placing your chip on the line connecting two rows immediately above Dozen bets. The line bet has a 5:1 payout, which is the least reward among inside bets.

Outside bets

Outside bets are those wager options at the outermost part of the table. They consist of more numbers, so they have more probability of returning a win and fewer risks. Since the risks are reduced in outside bets, the payouts are significantly less than those of inside bets. We review various outside bets below:

  • Dozen: This bet entails placing the chip on any space labeled as 1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12. Essentially, you’re betting on twelve numbers in any of the spaces already mentioned. If the ball rests on one of the twelve numbers you staked on, you receive a 2:1 payout. 
  • Column: Here, you’re also wagering real money on 12 numbers. Remember there are three columns at the table labelled as 2 To 1. So, the payout is also 2:1. 
  • 1-18/19-36: Numbers 1-18 are known as low, while 19-36 are called high. In both options, you’re betting on 18 numbers, which means 50% of the table is included in your bet. Therefore, this bet is known as an even-money bet and pays 1:1.    
  • Red/Black: This is another even-money bet that pays 1:1. It requires you to place your chip on all black or red-labelled spots at the table. So, with either bet, you’re also wagering on 18 numbers, which presents a 50% chance of winning or losing. 
  • Even/Odd: This even-money bet allows you to predict that the ball will land on an even or odd number. Whether you go for the odd or even option, the payout is 1:1.

Call bets

Call bets are also known as announced bets. Call bets feature number patterns that require a player to call out such bets to the game host at typical land-based casinos. However, in online casino roulette, the racetrack button on the screen gives you access to call bets. The most popular ones include the French bets, such as Tiers du Clylindre, Les Orphelins, and Voisins du Zero, and Jeu Zero. Let’s review these call bets below:

  • Tiers du Cylindre: Tiers du Cylindre consists of 12 numbers on the racetrack. With this bet, you place six chips on six Split-bet combinations, such as 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36. All you need to do is click/tap the Tiers du Cylindre portion of the racetrack, and the chips are placed for you. 
  • Les Orphelins: Les Orphelins involves eight numbers consisting of five bet chips. Four chips are placed on Split bets, while one chip is dropped on a Straight-up bet. The combination includes Split bets on 6/9, 14/17, 17/20, 31/34, and a Straight-up bet on 1.   
  • Voisins du Zero: The Voisins du Zero option takes up the largest portion of the racetrack. It comprises 17 numbers with different combinations on which nine chips are placed. These combinations include two chips on 0/2/3 Street, a chip on 4/7 Split, 12/15, 18/21, 19/22, and two chips on 25/26/28/29 Corner bet.
  • Jeu Zero: This bet involves seven numbers: the zero and six other numbers close to it on the racetrack. Thus, four chips are placed on those numbers, including Split bets on 0/3, 12/15, and 32/35, and a Straight-up bet on 26.

Neighbour bets

A neighbour bet comprises a specific number and other numbers surrounding it on both sides on the racetrack. To go for neighbour bets, simply open the racetrack and use the ‘-’ and ‘+’ buttons to indicate the scope of neighbours you want. Then click/tap a particular number, and chips will be placed on that number and the numbers on the left and right sides as you indicated. You can select 1 to 8 neighbours (on both sides) for any number you wish to wager on. However, some live casino roulette games allow you to select up to 9 neighbours. 

Bet sizes in European roulette

It’s common knowledge that European roulette online games are from various software providers and are offered by different online casinos. As such, the bet sizes vary from one provider and casino to another. These games usually tend to allow players with low and high bankrolls alike to enjoy spins at the wheel. So, you’ll find titles with such minimum limits as $0.1, $0.2, $0.25, $0.3, and $0.5 per round. The maximum limits can go all the way up to $500, $1000, $3000 or $5000.

The same principle exists in live roulette, where minimum stakes can start from $0.1, $0.2 or $0.5 in many titles. Live titles allow more flexibility in that some tables have very high wager limits, up to $10,000, $30,000 or $50,000. Some providers release high-roller tables. 

The best online roulette casinos allow wagering in several currencies, as well as cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Binance Coin, etc. So, if you’re feeling like playing online or live European roulette for real money, keep in mind that different bet limits are available. 

European roulette RTP and payouts

As with all other casino games, European roulette has a return to player percentage (RTP). The game’s RTP is pegged at 97.30%. It’s important to state that in some live dealer roulette games with bonus features, the RTP for Straight-up bets reduces slightly. This is because the Straight-up bet is often the only bet that triggers the available features in such games. 

With regard to payout, they vary according to the level of risk presented by each bet. The paytable always shows the rewards for all inside and outside bets.

Inside bets

  • Straight-up: 35:1
  • Split: 17:1
  • Street: 11:1
  • Corner/Square: 8:1
  • Line: 5:1 

Outside bets

  • Dozen: 2:1
  • Column: 2:1
  • 1-18 (low)/19-36 (high): 1:1
  • Red/Black: 1:1
  • Even/odd: 1:1

Regarding call bets, the payout is based on whether the placement on the table is on a Straight-up bet, Split, Street, or Corner, as the case may be. For example, if you placed a Tiers du Cylindre bet and the ball rests on number 5 (5/8 split bet), you receive a split payout of 17:1. 

Live European roulette

If you want to experience the ultimate European roulette experience without visiting a brick-and-mortar casino, live roulette is a wonderful option for you. The game takes place in a studio with a real roulette table, wheel, and ball. Not to forget the dealer or host or croupier, who superintends over each game round. There’s usually a betting time, during which you can place chips on your preferred spots on the table. Afterwards, the dealer drops the ball onto the wheel. Once the ball rests on any number, the number is displayed on the screen, and the croupier also announces it.

In terms of gameplay and available bets, European online roulette and live roulette have the same pattern and style. You’ll also find many live European roulette titles with features such as win multipliers, mega numbers, lightning payouts, and so on. 

Depending on your country of residence, prominent real casinos usually have live dealer roulette titles from multiple software providers. Some popular providers include Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Swintt, Skywind Group, Ezugi, SA Gaming, and LuckyStreak, among others. So, you may explore any title you want with any bet limits of your choice.  

Best European Roulette game providers

European online roulette games are from various software providers. Popular brands have exciting, award-winning roulette titles that are well-played across the gaming sphere. So, when the urge comes to play online casino roulette or live dealer roulette, you should consider titles from any of these developers.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is a top software provider with games at the best online roulette casinos. The provider has many live roulette titles, including several European roulette games. However, it doesn’t have RNG-powered online roulette titles. Some leading Pragmatic Play live roulette games include Roulette Azure, VIP Roulette, Speed Roulette, and Lucky 6 Roulette. Mega Roulette and PowerUp Roulette have special features like the Mega Lucky Number and PowerUp bonus round, respectively. Apart from English, the games from this developer have other language versions, including Spanish, Turkish, German, Indian, Italian, etc. Thus, you can have so much fun with these live titles.

Evolution

Evolution is one of the biggest live games providers in the iGaming industry. Evolution has a lot of live European roulette games you can enjoy in all our recommended online casinos. From Immersive Roulette to XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, Gold Vault Roulette, Instant Roulette, Double Ball Roulette, Lightning Roulette, and Red Door Roulette, you have plenty of options. Beyond regular bets, many live European roulette titles by Evolution have at least one striking feature with a substantial payout. Also, the games accommodate low and high wagers of over $20,000 or $30,000 per round in some casinos. So, you’ll have a nice time on Evolution live European roulette.

Playtech

Playtech is a giant game developer with tons of titles known across the world. The developer has a lot of online casino roulette, some of which are of the European version. Some popular RNG-powered titles include Mega Fire Blaze Roulette, Premium European Roulette, and Cash Collect Roulette, among others. Playtech also has many live European roulette games for players who want to have animated live sessions. Such games include Football Roulette, Prestige Roulette, Quantum Roulette, Speed Roulette, Mega Fire Blaze Roulette Live, and Who Wants to be a Millionaire Roulette.

Red Rake

Red Rake has been around for some time, producing online slots and table games. The provider has a few European roulette titles, such as European Roulette and Roulette VIP. These games have various bet limits for players with different budgets. The developer has kept the graphic designs simple and straightforward, and that makes your gameplay quite interesting.

Betsoft

Betsoft is a renowned software supplier known for cutting-edge 3D graphics and animation. The company has won several awards for its exciting range of games. Betsoft has a few European roulette titles at the time of this review, including European Roulette, Zoom Roulette and the European Roulette VIP series. These games have all it takes to keep you fully engaged as you play.

Mobile European roulette

Nearly all online casinos have a mobile version for players to relish their gameplay on the go easily. While mobile casinos are now common, their importance and relevance cannot be overstated. Whether you want to play online casino roulette or live roulette, you can easily do so on your iOS and Android smartphones. Software providers are creating titles with mobile users in mind, while casinos are constantly modifying their mobile user experience to suit players. To this end, our recommended best online roulette casinos are compatible with all mobile operating systems. Once you’re convinced that you want to play for real money, get right into the action on your device and have fun.

Conclusion

Roulette is one of the games that come to mind when you talk about casino gaming. European online roulette is the most popular roulette version in most online casinos worldwide. The game has a good RTP, which continues to attract players. You can play with different bet sizes, ranging from $0.10 and up to $500, $1000 or even $5000 per round. For live roulette, the stakes can be as high as $20,000 or up to $50,000 per round. The game allows you to place inside, outside, and announced bets, as well as neighbour bets.

Before playing with real money, it’s always good to study and acquaint yourself with the rules, settings, and buttons in the game. That way, you’ll have better chances of enhancing your gameplay. If you’d like to navigate the live European roulette arena, you can do so at many top live casino sites. Some popular live roulette providers include Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Playtech, Ezugi, Skywind Group, Swintt, Vivo Gaming, and LuckyStreak. Meanwhile, providers like Betsoft, Red Rake, NetEnt, Spinomenal, IGT, and Microgaming, among many others, have online roulette titles. Thankfully, you can always play European roulette for real money on your smartphone at our top-rated casinos.