Visit any casino, anywhere in the world, and what you’ll likely see is a selection of roulette tables, most of which will be packed full of players. Roulette has long been not only one of the most popular casino games but one of the most popular forms of gambling there.
Gambler the world over love to get their bets down and watch the wheel spin, hoping that the ball will land on a number that they’ve got their money on. As casino games go, online roulette really is king.
Nowadays, thanks to the rise in online gambling, online casino platforms are full of players looking to get in on the roulette action. Of all the roulette options available online these days, live roulette is what most people are looking for. Why? Well, live roulette is so popular amongst online casino gamblers because it is as close to the real thing as you can possibly get without entering a land-based casino.
In this article, we’re going to look at exactly what live roulette is, examine the pros and cons of this type of online roulette, plus see which online casinos available to UK players rank as the best in terms of live roulette.
Best Live Roulette Casinos in the UK
We’ve put together a list of the top five online casinos for live roulette that are currently available to players in the United Kingdom. Here they are:
#1 LeoVegas Live Roulette Casinos
Opened in 2012, LeoVegas has been one of the top online casinos available in the UK for over a decade now. There is absolutely no question of safety, as this casino is licensed by both the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, while they offer the best casino games from all of the best industry software providers.
What can LeoVegas bring to the live roulette table, though? That’s what we want to know. The answer is plenty. Those looking to play some live roulette at a reputable UK casino will be hard-pushed to find anything better. Offering a huge table choice, LeoVegas offers more live tables for roulette than any other casino game, boasting 56 live roulette tables for players to choose from. This means that it’s easy to get a game, and the waiting times are rarely longer than a few seconds.
When you join LeoVegas, you’ll qualify for 50 free spins on the slots game Big Bass Splash, plus a deposit match of up to £100.
#2 21 UK Casino
Another of the tried and tested UK online casinos that are recommended for live roulette is 21.co.uk. Cleverly named to play on the fact that 21 is the ideal hand in the popular casino game blackjack, 21.co.uk offers players a multitude of casino offerings, all available on one safe and secure platform that is licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
Mobile players will also be pleased to hear that there is a dedicated app for both iOS and Android users. But what of the live roulette offerings? Well, there’s lots to get stuck into and offers several live roulette tables. The selection isn’t as wide as at LeoVegas, though there are still plenty of table options, so you shouldn’t struggle to get involved in live roulette if that’s what you’re looking for.
New players who join 21.co.uk will get a 100% bonus of up to ÂŁ50, plus ÂŁ6 in live casino chips, which is a nice touch.
#3 Betway Casino
Think online gambling from a United Kingdom point of view, and Betway is likely one of the first names that will spring to mind, such is the size of this UK gambling giant. Providers of an excellent sports book, the guys at Betway have also put together what is one of the best online casinos currently available to players on UK shores.
Established in 2005, the Betway Casino offers bettors a huge variety, from traditional casino games to slots, to jackpots. The software providers at Betway are top of the range, so the action runs smoothly, while there are lots of deposit and withdrawal methods, which isn’t always the case with online casinos.
The burning question is, what’s Betway Casino’s live roulette service like? It’s up there with the best; that’s the answer. There is a wide range of live roulette tables available at any given time, so it’s easy to find a game, while the stream quality really is first class. Few casinos sit above Betway in this respect.
When you sign up for Betway Casino, you can get a 100% deposit match bonus of up to ÂŁ50.
#4 Plaza Royal Live Roulette Casino
With Plaza Royal, you’re playing with one of the newer online casinos that is available to UK players, though don’t think they’re playing catch up with the big boys because that’s certainly not the case. In a relatively short space of time, Plaza Royal has established itself as one of the best online casinos. They’ve teamed up with a wealth of top software providers to bring players a wide selection of top games and slots.
Licensed by both the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission, Plaza Royal is a safe and reputable casino operator. They facilitate deposits and withdrawals via lots of methods, more than many other casinos, in fact, while they offer lots of live casino games.
In the live casino section, Plaza Royal has focussed quite heavily on live roulette, offering more live roulette tables than any other game. The video streams are both HD and up-to-date, too, so you know that you’re watching the game live.
New players are also eligible for up to ÂŁ200 in bonus funds, plus 100 free spins.
#5 Casimba Live Roulette Online Casino
Last but certainly not least on this list, we have Casimba. Well-known in the United Kingdom’s online casino scene, this site, which is fully licensed by both the Malta Gaming Authority UK Gambling Commission, offers a rather comprehensive casino service. They have loads of traditional games, great slots, plus lots of live casino games.
As is the case with top casino providers, the guys at Casimba have taken the time to combine forces with all the top software providers, which means that they not only offer the top games but that the games always run smoothly.
Live roulette, though, right? That’s what we want to know about here. There are lots of live roulette tables available at Casimba, with roulette being the game that they offer the most live tables for. Moreover, they have live tables for mega roulette, which adds an exciting new dimension to this age-old game, not to mention greater potential winnings.
New players also get a 100% deposit bonus of up to ÂŁ200, plus 50 bonus spins.
What exactly is Live roulette?
Before we go any further, let’s quickly go over exactly what live roulette is. Here goes:
Live roulette essentially brings the excitement and authenticity of a real casino into your home or wherever you happen to be. Thought of as a captivating online gambling experience, live roulette allows you to play the game much as you would in a real casino, and you do this by watching a live dealer take bets and spin the wheel in real-time via a live video feed.
Live roulette is different from regular roulette, which is also commonly available at online casinos. Regular roulette, often referred to online as simple “roulette”, uses a computer-generated random number generator, also called an RNG, to determine the outcome. In contrast, live roulette involves a real-life dealer who spins the wheel in real time. This creates a more interactive and immersive atmosphere, closely resembling that of a land-based casino.
Live Roulette Pros & Cons
You might think that live roulette is just a natural upgrade from regular online roulette, and it certainly is true that there are many benefits. However, as with anything, there are pros and cons to live roulette. Let’s look at what they are:
Pros
- Authentic Experience: Live roulette offers a more realistic and immersive casino experience. With a live dealer spinning the wheel and real-time gameplay, this realism is important to many players, thus making live roulette much better than regular online roulette.
- Interactivity: The interactive aspect is also a big deal for lots of players. You can chat with the dealer and other players, adding a social element to the game and creating a sense of camaraderie that cannot be achieved when playing regular online roulette.
- Trust and Transparency: Since the game is conducted by a live dealer and the wheel is physically spun, it enhances transparency and builds trust among players, which is not something that can always be said for online roulette that is run by a random number generator, which is something that lots of players are worthy of.
- Multiple Camera Angles: Live roulette often provides different camera views and angles. This allows players to choose between a variety of perspectives when playing the game. Again, you cannot get this from regular online roulette.
- Enhanced Entertainment: The combination of live streaming, real-time gameplay, and human interaction makes live roulette highly entertaining.
Cons
- Higher Minimum Bets: Live roulette usually has higher minimum bet requirements compared to regular online roulette due to the costs associated with running live streams and employing professional dealers. Some players aren’t willing to pay these higher minimums as it means risking greater funds.
- Limited Availability: Not all online casinos offer live roulette, so your options might be more limited compared to regular online roulette, while many live roulette tables have a limit on the number of players that can play at any one time.
- Waiting Times: As tables can fill up and hit maximum capacity, live roulette games have specific schedules, so you might need to wait for the next available game if the current table is full. Again, not everyone wants to wait, so this is a slight con.
- Internet Reliance: A stable internet connection is crucial for uninterrupted gameplay, and any connection issues may disrupt the live roulette experience.
- Speed of Play: Live roulette games tend to have a slower pace compared to regular online roulette. This is due to the time it takes for the dealer to not only spin the wheel but manage and calculate the bets to ensure that the game runs smoothly.
Live Roulette FAQs
What is live roulette at an online casino?
Live roulette is an online casino game that allows you to play roulette much as you would in a casino. The game is run by a live dealer at an actual table. The action is then fed through a live video stream. It provides an immersive and interactive experience, replicating the atmosphere of a real casino.
How does live roulette differ from regular online roulette?
In live roulette, you play with a real dealer who spins the wheel and manages the game in real time. Regular online roulette uses a random number generator, otherwise known as an RNG, to determine the outcome, while live roulette offers a more authentic and transparent experience. Players can see the dealer running the game, taking bets, spinning the wheel and dropping the ball in etc.
Is live roulette fair?
Yes, reputable online casinos ensure fairness and trustworthiness in their live roulette games. The game is conducted by professional dealers, and the results are determined by the actual spin of the wheel, just like in a land-based casino. Additionally, licensed online casinos undergo regular audits to make sure that they comply with rules and regulations, so as long as you’re using a reputable and licensed casino platform, you have nothing to worry about.
Can I chat with the dealer during a live roulette game?
You sure can, and it’s easy to do too. Live roulette games typically provide a chat feature that allows you to interact with the dealer. You can ask the dealer questions by typing them into the chat feature, while you can also type in the main chat to interact with the other players on the same table.