Live Roulette vs Online Roulette: Which Version Is the Best?

So you want to hit the roulette tables at your online casino but get confused by which game type to choose? Not to worry, we’ll explain all about the difference between standard online roulette and live roulette, so you can find the game best suited to you.

And, if you keep on reading until the end, you’ll find out which version I prefer.

Different Versions of Roulette at Online Casinos

Some of the best roulette casinos online offer hundreds of roulette games, but they’re not all the same. There are, of course, different versions of the game, but also different ways to enjoy the game. You can choose between RNG roulette and live roulette.

What Is RNG Online Roulette?

Online RNG roulette is a game that’s recreated in digital form where a random number generator (RNG) decides the results. This works more or less as it does on a pokie machine, where a result is generated as soon as you place your bet and start the game.

Software decides the outcome of the game, and the roulette wheel is purely a digital one. In other words, it’s simply a virtual form of roulette.

What Is Live Dealer Roulette?

Live dealer roulette is streamed from a live studio, and there’s a physical wheel and a physical ball. Basically, the game works the same way as it does in a land-based casino.

The dealer drops the ball onto the wheel, and then it’s just up to chance where it lands. You follow the game by watching a live stream, typically in full HD quality. However, the table where you place your bets is virtual, and it automatically pops up on your screen during the betting phase.

Benefits of RNG Roulette

There are many advantages of RNG roulette, and we’ll explore some of the main ones here:

Multiple game choices: Since a virtual roulette wheel and the game is cheap for a casino to operate, they have a vast selection of these games. You’ll find multiple versions, and even a good selection of the games with a low house edge, such as French Roulette.

Bet at your own pace: There are no limitations on the betting time, so you can take your time working out your strategy. Additionally, there’s no need to watch the ball spin, as you can click to immediately see the result. When you win at online roulette, the payout goes directly to your casino balance.

Try the demo games first: RNG roulette is a fully digital game, and therefore, you get to try the game in demo mode with a fun money balance. This is a great feature for testing out new game types, and while practising a new betting strategy.

Benefits of Live Dealer Roulette

You get many advantages when you opt for live casino roulette, and these are the main benefits:

Get the true casino experience: Live dealer roulette lets you enjoy the game the same way as it’s done in a land-based casino. The betting limits and the game sequence are all the same, so you get the real casino feel.

Socialise and chat in the game: To really give you the real deal in terms of a casino experience, you can chat with other players and the dealer in an in-game chat. This is great if you’re not just looking to gamble and win at live roulette, but also crave the social aspect.

See live statistics and game history: Most live dealer roulette games offer statistics for hundreds of game rounds, so you can see which numbers are hot and cold. This is beneficial for certain betting strategies, in case you want to increase your long-term winning chances.

Odds and House Edge for Roulette Types

There isn’t really any difference in live roulette vs online RNG roulette when it comes to odds, house edge, and winning chances. This is determined by the rules of the specific game you opt for. So when choosing a game, always go for the one with the lowest house edge, no matter if it’s RNG roulette or live roulette.

For example, if you opt for American Roulette, then the house edge is 5.26%. If you rather opt for European Roulette, the house edge is only 2.7%. Then again the best bet is to start a game of French Roulette, as the house edge in this version is only 1.35%.

Any version of roulette that comes with some special features or additional rules will have another house edge. So make sure you check this in the game rules before placing your bets.

And, keep in mind that the house edge is listed as the best possible one, as certain bets might give you worse odds. The Basket Bet in American Roulette is considered the worst one, as it gives the house an edge of a whopping 7.89%. Then again, American Roulette as a whole is, as stated above, the least profitable one for any player.

Live Roulette or RNG Roulette – What’s Best With a Bonus?

Some online casinos will allow you to bet on any kind of game with a casino bonus — but that doesn’t go for all. Some casino operators will not let you enjoy live dealer games with a bonus, so that means the online roulette version you get to bet on with a bonus is RNG roulette.

Keep in mind that some casino operators only allow pokies to be played with a bonus, so you might not be able to bet on roulette at all. Make sure that you read the bonus terms to find out what applies at your favourite casino.

One more very important aspect of using a bonus on roulette is that you are more or less prohibited from using any progressive betting strategy to help you win at live roulette or RNG roulette. Most casinos limit the maximum bet allowed for bonus bets to $5, or sometimes even less.

The Best Online Roulette Casinos

If you’re looking for a great casino that offers both RNG online roulette and live dealer roulette, you should check out Ricky Casino:

Our verdict

Which version of roulette you should choose at an online casino depends on your needs and wants. There is no golden rule about which version is the optimal one, at least not in terms of RNG or live versions.

If you like a fast game where the goal is to gamble on roulette at your own pace, then RNG roulette is the way to go. You can place your bets and instantly get your results. It’s also great for practising new strategies or game types in demo mode.

However, if you’re looking for a genuine casino experience and enjoy the social aspect of gambling, then a live dealer game is the optimal choice for you. Not least if you’d like to keep track of the statistics of the table you’re at.

To conclude, try both versions, to see which one you prefer. Personally, I prefer the live dealer tables, but that’s because, to me, the entertainment part of it is just as important as the gambling experience.