Does Online Roulette Have the Same Odds as Traditional Roulette?
If you are a fan of playing roulette, you’ve probably often wondered whether your odds of winning are the same, whether you play online or at a casino.
You might assume the odds at an online casino are rigged, and that no one could ever possibly win or verify that published winners even exist.
However, you should not let these assumptions put you off. It’s a myth that online casinos barely ever pay out, as long as you have found a legitimate site. Let’s look at this topic in more detail.
The Odds Should Be Identical
Whether you are playing at home in your pyjamas playing NetBet roulette online, or you’ve got dressed up for a day at the casino, the odds of you winning should be exactly the same.
However, as mentioned, this all depends on whether or not you have chosen a site that is licensed and regulated.
A Look at the Different Roulette Odds
For someone that has already played a few games of roulette in their time, you probably already know that there are different versions.
For example, there is European roulette (where there is one zero), American roulette (where there is a zero and a double zero), and French roulette. We’ll focus on the first two, since they are the most common.
In European roulette, the house edge (the advantage the casino has over you as a player) is 2.7%. In American roulette, the house edge is 5.26%. This is something that cannot change just because you are playing online.
So, for example, if you were to bed on red or black in European roulette, you have an 18 out of 37 chance of winning. If you were to do the same in American roulette, the odds are pretty similar, at 18 out of 38.
So, How Does Online Roulette Actually Work?
You may be wondering how online casinos actually work and keep it fair. Well, all good casinos use what is called a Random Number Generator (RNG).
This is a program that ensures every spin of the virtual wheel produces a random result, with no fixed pattern.
These RNGs are actually provided by independent companies, so they cannot be rigged. So, you can expect to win (or lose!) the same number of times at the roulette wheel, whether you are playing online or offline.
Why Some People Don’t Trust Online Roulette
Even though the RNG guarantees a fair outcome, many players still feel like luck is against them when they play online.
Some moan about losing streaks, or claim that they have spotted weird patterns that don’t seem random at all. In addition to that, unlike sports betting, online roulette doesn’t have a community of top-reviewed tipsters.
Most of the time, though, this simply comes down to how we feel when we play, and it has nothing to do with the actual odds.
Additionally, online roulette is faster, so you will easily play way more spins in an hour than you would at a casino table. This more than likely means that you’ll notice streaks more often, and it’s simply because there are more spins happening.
Also, if you are playing alone on your phone or computer, this can make the losses feel more personal. Since there’s no noise, no crowd, and no dealer chat, just you and the wheel, it’s easier to overthink every outcome and think things are dodgy when they’re not.
Regulation and Trustworthiness Matter
We’ve mentioned licensing before, but let’s explain it in more detail. Casinos operating in the UK, Malta, or New Jersey are required to use certified RNG systems, and they must also undergo regular audits.
If they do not abide by these regulations, they cannot be licensed. So, check to see whether the online casino you are visiting proudly displays their licensing badge on the website somewhere prominent.
Look for audit badges from companies like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. This guarantees you will have fair outcomes and the same odds as physical casinos.
Steer clear of any sites that do not mention licensing anywhere. The odds of you winning roulette will be much lower.
The Bottom Line on Fairness
As you can see, nothing changes odds wise when you decide to play online roulette instead of traditional roulette.
The only thing you might notice is the vibe. For example, playing online means you don’t get that same casino buzz, you won’t be offered free drinks every half hour, and there won’t be any other players shouting around you (unless you are throwing an online casino party!).
Some players like the convenience and speed, whereas others miss the old-school experience at a real casino, but it’s all down to personal preference.
The mathematical foundation of roulette ensures that legitimate online platforms offer exactly the same winning chances as their brick-and-mortar counterparts, making your choice between online and traditional play purely a matter of atmosphere and convenience.
Whether you’re spinning the wheel from your sofa or standing at a casino table, the numbers don’t lie – your luck remains entirely in your own hands.
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