Online Roulette for Real Money in Canada 2024

Like some other casino games, online roulette has a smooth gameplay that doesn't take too long to grasp. The game features numbers 1-36 and a zero - with an additional double zero - depending on the variation you play. These numbers are split between the black and red colours, so 18 numbers appear in black slots and 18 others in red. Meanwhile, the zero or double zero is placed in the green slot.

Since you're not playing live roulette online, all game actions are performed by software automatically. You'll find virtual chips on the screen as well as bet sizes allowed in the game. Bets are placed on a number or group of numbers you believe the ball will stop on after the spin. Within a few seconds after pressing the spin button, the casino's random number generator (RNG) will present the winning number on the screen.

Depending on the game, you can access the rules by clicking/tapping the "?" button or the "Help, Rules, Info, etc." button. Game rules usually provide a summary of how to play, different bet types and their payouts, game controls and their functions, house edge, etc.

Those who frequently play online roulette in Canada have probably tried all types of roulette, noted their similarities and differences, and now have a favourite. But that's not the case for those getting started with the game. You'll find three types of roulette in Canadian online casinos: European, American and French. The idea behind these types and even payouts are the same, but as you'll soon find out, their house edge differs. So, it's pertinent to always learn the fine details of any type that appeals to you. This section walks you through these online roulette types.

European Roulette

Of the three types of roulette, European roulette is arguably the most played version. The numbers on the European roulette wheel include 1-36 in their respective colored pockets and a zero in a green pocket. This online roulette game has a 2.70% house edge.

Players can make wagers on inside or outside bets. With regard to inside bets, they permit you to wager on a number or group of numbers that appear within the game board. These bets are more specific, which means they are of higher risk and as such, have bigger payouts. For example, the straight up bet requires you to stake real money on just one number. With such a high risk involved, the said bet pays more than other bets at 35:1. Other inside bets include split, street, corner and six line.

Further, outside bets are those bet options you can see on the outskirts of the numbered pockets. These include 12 (known as dozens), odd/even, red/black, numbers 1-18 (low) or 19-36 (high), and columns. As you can see, outside bets are not specific but require wagers on a class of numbers. Hence, the risks are mostly 50/50.

You'll also find call/announced bets in many European roulette games, including Neighbor bets, Jue Zero, Voisins du Zero, Orphelins and Tiers du Cylindre. In addition, there are special bets comprising a combination of different inside bets or inside bets of the same type. Special bets include red and black splits, orphelins plein, finale cheval/plein, etc.

American Roulette

The American roulette is another variation of the game followed by so many CA players. This version has a different structure of the wheel compared to European and French roulette. First, in addition to numbers 1-36 and a zero (0), you'll find a double zero (00) on the grid. The 0 and 00 are placed side by side on top of the grid. With the 00, the game's house edge is 5.26%, making it the highest amongst all roulette variations.

Inside and outside bets are also available in this game. However, there's a unique inside bet option in American roulette known as top line or five-number bet. This bet is placed on the first five numbers: 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3, while the payout is 6:1. Interestingly, the five-number bet has the house edge of 7.89%. American roulette also has Neighbour bets, which allow bets on a specific number and its adjacent numbers.

French roulette

French roulette appears very similar to European roulette because it also has numbers 1-36 and a single zero. However, French roulette has a different layout of numbers on the wheel. The game has inside and outside bets, both of which have the same payouts as in other variations. This version features similar call bets as European roulette, including Jue Zero, Voisins du Zero, Orphelins and Tiers du Cylindre, and Neighbor bets. Furthermore, the game boasts special bets like red and black split, finale cheval, finale cheval/plein, etc.

But what stands this game out from European roulette is a concept known as the la partage rule. Where the la partage rule is applied, half your even money bet will be returned if the ball lands on a zero. So, instead of losing your bet completely, this rule ensures you only lose half - while the other half is returned to you. As a result of this rule, the house edge falls to 1.35%. This is why French roulette is widely regarded by some players as the best online roulette. However, it must be stressed that not all French roulette games use the la partage rule. Thus, you have to verify whether or not this rule is available in any title you might want to play.

Every casino game has a house edge and, respectively, player edge. These values are used to show how much either party is going to win in the long (very long) run. So, playing roulette online in Canada requires attention to these values. European roulette has a house advantage of 2.7%, meaning a player would win CA$973 and lose CA$27 on every CA$1000 wagered. This is not going to be an exact sum but somewhere in that range. Another important thing to know is that the win/lose probabilities are effective over a long-term horizon but they do not work properly if the player just spends a couple of minutes at the roulette wheel. Through skillful tactics, an educated CA player can kind of cheat the probabilities and gain the upper hand over the house.

Calculation of odds is based on simple mathematics. Suppose you bet CA$10 on red for 37 spins in a row. There are 18 red and 18 black slots on the wheel, so you will win CA$180 on red but lose CA$180 on black and also lose CA$10 on hitting a zero section. Out of CA$370 you have wagered in real money, the total winning amount is CA$360, which makes the player edge of 2.70% (CA$360 / CA$370 x 100%). The same calculations are made for other roulette versions found in any CA online casino.

American roulette has two zero slots, therefore an online casino will win more frequently than the player and the player edge is set at 5.26%. French roulette has the same odds as a European version but due to the la partage rule as explained above, the house odds can further decline to 1.35%.

Roulette is essentially a game of chance with no fixed, guaranteed winning strategy. However, there are certain measures that can help maximise winning probabilities when you play. One of them is getting to know the variation you want to play, its applicable rules, winning odds, payouts, etc. You can do this by playing a demo version of the game extensively, which doesn't require any real cash. Also, endeavour to carry out your roulette online gambling in a prominent, trustworthy casino. That way, you can rest assured the game is fair and transparent, while your personal information and money is secure too. Fortunately, all casinos on this page are reputable.

Further, we usually advise those starting out to focus on outside bets, because they generally have lower risks. Although their payouts are pretty low, bets like red/black, odd/even and 1-18/19-36 have 48.60% and 47.40% winning chances in European and American roulette, respectively. It's also pertinent that you go for variations with a lower house edge like European and French roulette. Unless you're a pro, you shouldn't be looking at playing American roulette.

Another important tip to note is money management and discipline. This entails setting out a budget, sticking to it, not chasing losses, and leaving when the game is no longer fun. Importantly, hot or cold numbers do not impact or reflect the next winning number as online roulette uses random number generators to determine that.

There are many roulette strategies but none of them work effectively all the time. Sure, they can increase your chances of winning over a short-term horizon but they fail to be successful over an extended period of your playing time. Think of this: If there were a 100% working strategy, every online casino would bust up because everyone would use that fail-safe strategy to play online roulette. Anyway, sticking to some betting system may be helpful and you might even end up with some good winnings. Just keep an open mind on your financial condition, follow strictly all instructions to your selected strategy and do not hesitate to pull back in time if you can see chances are against you. Some of the most popular betting systems are Martingale, Parlay, Reverse Martingale, Non-Progressive Betting, etc.

The Martingale system is one of the most popular strategies in online roulette. This system dictates that you begin your roulette game with a small amount and maintain that amount if you win. But if you lose, you must double your initial bet on the next spin. If you keep losing, you must continue doubling your bet till you win again. After winning, you restart with the initial bet. For example, you begin with CA$2. If you win, you continue with CA$2. But if you lose, you double your bet to CA$4, and you must do this for subsequent losses. If you eventually win, you start all over with CA$2 (initial bet). The Martingale strategy works best on even-money outside bets where the odds are close to 50/50, including odd/even, red/black and 1-18/19-36.

Another well-followed strategy is the Parlay System. Like the Martingale, the Parlay strategy works for even-money outside bets with 50/50 odds, such as red/black, odd/even and 1-18/19-36. The Parlay strategy posits that a player must double their bet after every roulette win. But in the event of a loss, the player must restart with the initial bet. And if there's a losing streak, the player must keep betting with that initial bet value. For example, the initial bet is CA$2. If you win, you must wager CA$4 (your initial bet and profit) on the following spin. If you win again, you must stake CA$8 on the following spin. If you lose, you must start afresh with CA$2.

Top roulette providers do a wonderful job of developing quality roulette games online for Canadians to enjoy. In this regard, you have games from Microgaming, NetEnt, Betsoft, Pragmatic Play, RTG, etc.

Although Microgaming has far more slot games, you'll find great roulette games from this developer. These include Sapphire Roulette, European Roulette Gold, French Roulette, Premier Roulette, Multiplayer Roulette, Multi Wheel Roulette, etc.

Software giant, NetEnt, boasts a range of solid titles rated as some of the best roulette games online. Some of them are European Roulette, American Roulette, Roulette Pro series, Roulette Advanced series, Mini Roulette, etc.

Betsoft has maintained its reputation of cinematic graphics across its roulette games, offering players highly immersive titles. Such titles include Zoom Roulette, European Roulette and American Roulette.

Pragmatic Play's Roulette is a European-style roulette that features inside, outside and special bets, with a bet size of $1-$100.

Whilst roulette has only three major versions, there are a few exciting roulette games that do integrate classic rules but have some uncommon, original twist and sometimes present extra reward opportunities. Multi Wheel Roulette (Microgaming, 2011) is actually a European roulette with one betting table and eight wheels spinning at a time. When wagering on any space, the bet automatically distributes itself on all wheels and will be increased by x8. Each wheel produces unique outcomes.

Multiplayer Roulette of the same provider (released in 2012 and also compatible with a mobile casino) is an interactive roulette online with a sociable bonus element. Though Microgaming does not specialise in table games, they made a stunning roulette in which players can chat with one another using a built-in chat facility.

"Standard" sometimes turns into "boring". If you are an avid fan of roulette, try Chinese Roulette produced by Oryx, which has animal pics on the wheel in place of numbers. Bets can be placed on single symbols, their combinations, seasons and elements. Another game from Oryx, Astro Roulette, uses signs of the zodiac, sun and other components of an astrological calendar instead of traditional numbers.

Mystery Roulette from Novomatic comes with European-style numbering, a zero and two mystery slots (so called "mystery pockets") that modify payouts for standard stakes. For example, landing a win on the "??" pocket will award up to 500:1, which is a wonderful bonus for every CA roulette enthusiast.

Online roulette delivers some fantastic gaming experience to Canadian players via the European, American and French versions of the game. Some other unusual variations have been developed to spice up the game's entertaining nature, including multiwheel, multiplayer, mini roulette, etc. Whichever variation you play, there are always rules, winning odds, and payouts to consider.

While winning odds differ across games, you have to understand how these odds work, especially regarding the player edge. Doing so will help you make an informed choice. You can also incorporate any roulette strategy of your choice to help minimise your losses. However, you should note that the best way to minimise such potential losses is to observe certain useful tips like having a budget and adhering to it. If you have a reasonable grasp of everything about the game, we're certain you'll enjoy your time at the best online roulette casinos in Canada.