The Similarities Between Online Roulette and Online Slots

Slots and roulette are both incredibly popular casino games, both online and offline. The two different types of game may appear to bear very little resemblance to each other, to the untrained eye, but they do have some similarities. Whilst roulette is a classic table game, and slots are considered to be a more modern, cascading game, they are both popular, vibrant, and come in several different variations.

Online roulette is a game where a large, numbered, rotating wheel is spun and gamers bet on which of the numbered pockets the ball spinning inside the wheel will land in. Meanwhile, online slot games involve placing bets on three or more spinning or cascading wheels, hoping that the symbols on those reels match. The two games can be found widely all over the internet and some websites, such as EnergyCasino, even offer both types of game in one convenient location.

The Differences Between Roulette and Slots

Roulette is one of the oldest games in casino history, having first been introduced in France in the 1790s. Slots, meanwhile, are a little more modern, having been first introduced to the gambling scene at the turn of the 19th century. Despite roulette being introduced considerably earlier than slots, both are considered to be ‘casino classics’.

Whilst both are definitely games of chance, there are fewer variables with slots than there are with roulette. In essence, when you’re playing slots your first spin is just as likely to be the one that wins big as your 100th spin. By contrast, with roulette, there are a few more strategic moves you can make. You will still be relying on lady luck, but you can control your destiny slightly more with roulette than you can with online slots.  For this reason, roulette does have a little bit more of a learning curve than slots, for newbies who have never played at an online casino before.

Why Roulette and Slots are Both so Popular

Whilst many people have accused both slots and roulette of being incredibly repetitive games, they are both incredibly popular because of the variety that they offer to gamblers. At EnergyCasino, for example, you can find slot games themed around dragons, Egyptians, Aztecs, popular sports, and so much more. It’s not just the themes of slots that are diverse either: some offer three reels whilst others offer five. The bonus rounds offered by the huge variety of different slots are also not identical. Roulette also offers variety for its fans: you can play American, European and French roulette. Some casinos have even created new versions of the game to make it even more exciting, including the introduction of the double ball, multi-wheel roulette, or mini roulette. Whichever game you’re a fan of, you’ll find enough variety and new options to hold your interest for an extended period of time.

Where slots and roulette games are most similar is their ease of use: both the format and gameplay of each game is wonderfully simplistic. They are easy, intuitive, and can be picked up in a short period of time. Of course, as with all casino games, both games can also be carried around in your pocket: with dedicated apps, you can play wherever and whenever you wish.

Another thing that slots and roulette have in common is money, money, money. Let’s be honest, most people visit online casinos because they are attracted by the fantasy of winning big, and in this regard both slots and roulette are incredibly appealing. Progressive slots can pay out hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, when you hit a jackpot, however illusive a win that big might be. Roulette also offers much higher wins than many other traditional table games, making another similarity between the two excellent games.

Neither Are Games of Skill

Finally, both roulette and slots are incredibly popular, and incredibly easy to play, because there is very little skill involved in playing either games: they are both largely games of chance.  Poker is considered to be the casino game that requires the most skill, whilst both roulette a slots both sit at the bottom of the other end of that sliding scale. Of course, choosing any game at an online casino is a choice players make depending on both their risk appetite and financial budget, but what is clear is that enjoyment of the game is also a huge factor in this decision, and both roulette and slots are considered to be the games that are the most fun to play.

Both slots and roulette are great games for beginners who are new to the world of online casinos, because neither rely on an expertise to play, and both can be played at the players own pace. Whichever casino game you choose, it’s easy to see why both games are so popular!

List Of Online Casinos Which Offer The Best Roulette Bonuses

Casino promotion is big business. While online casinos do their own direct promotions, most of their new players are referred by casino affiliates. And the most common website that promotes casinos are ones that list bonuses.

What Are Casino Bonuses?

Casino bonuses are basically free credits to play with. For example, if you deposit $500 in real money into your account, the casino may pay you a $500 bonus. This would be a 100% bonus, and your account balance would be $1,000.

Should You Accept a Bonus?

Why wouldn’t you accept free money? You wouldn’t. Except an online roulette bonus isn’t exactly free money. It comes with strings attached, which can work for or against you.

The two main parameters that determine a casino bonus are explained below:

The Multiplier

The more real money you deposit, the larger your bonus. This is normally in proportion, regardless of the amount. So if the multiplier was 100% and you deposited $500, you be paid a $500 bonus. So your total bankroll to play with would be $1,000.

Every casino still has a cap on the bonus. For example, the bonus may apply only to amounts up to $5000.

Wagering Requirement

Casinos aren’t stupid. They don’t give away free money, without expecting something in return. In the case of wagering requirements, this is how the casino is pretty much assured of profiting – despite the bonus payout to you.

The wagering requirement means you must bet a certain amount before you can withdraw funds. This prevents you from taking out your bankroll and profiting just from the bonus.

A typical wagering requirement may be 30x. This means you must bet 30x the bonus payment before you can withdraw funds. If your bonus was $500, that means you must wager 30 x $500 = $15,000 before you take out any funds.

But what happens if you have a big win early? Too bad. You’ll need to keep playing until you meet the minimum wager requirement. They know the longer you play, the greater your chance of losing winnings and more. And that’s the idea.

So the lower the wagering requirement, the better.

Limitations of Casino Affiliate Websites

It’s bad for business if you promote your competitors. Likewise, casino affiliates only promote casinos they’re an affiliate of.

Not all affiliates may be qualified to promote particular casinos. This is because usually affiliates are hand-picked and approved by casinos. A casino may not want to be featured on a website that hosts objectionable content, like pornography. Or perhaps an affiliate may reside in a jurisdiction in which the casino can not process payments to.

Information Specific To Roulette Bonuses

Many online roulette casinos offer new players “free spins”. This has a variety of different meanings, but it’s not simply where you can bet any amount on a spin for free.

Ultimately free spins do not completely eliminate the house edge for casinos. The house edge is explained on many websites for professional casino players, but essentially it’s unfair payouts for player. In the casino for European roulette, there are 37 pockets, but the payout is an unfair 35-1. Every game has an in-built edge for the casino in some manner.

Bonuses like free spins generally reduce the house edge for the casino, which improve your chances of profiting. The casino will of course still have the long-term advantage.

If you’re looking for a casino with free spins, the advantage might occur only after you’ve joined the casino. In this case, you’ll have a significantly lower house edge against you. But it’s only temporary. Alternatively, you’d likely be better off with casinos that offer regular free spins. Then you could regularly benefit.

Keep in mind “free spins” can be misleading. They aren’t free. And they aren’t any guarantee that you’ll profit. Again it only means the casino will have a temporarily reduced house edge against you. So how do you know which casino has the best “free spins” policy? This is up to the casino affiliate to specify. But they can’t just say one casino has 20 free spins, and another has 30 free spins. You’d need to look at precise details and conditions to know which casino was best.

However, you’ll find there’s very little or no difference in the long-term. So it’s more a matter of personal preference, and what you feel best about. To give you some scope, one casino might have free spins that reduce the casino’s house edge by 0.1% over 50 spins. And another casino may reduce their house edge by 0.09% over 60 spins. Is there much of a difference? In this case, no. But the offers to entice casinos change constantly.

Should You Always Stick To The Same Casino?

Most players have particular casinos they trust and favor. But if you’re playing for fun, and don’t particularly care about making roulette a full-time occupation (as a professional player), then you’ll benefit by signing up to new casinos.

This is because the best casino bonuses apply only to new players. From the casino’s perspective, they’re paying money to encourage you to join. They know the lifetime value of you as a player will be worth it to them.

So let’s put it into perspective . . .

If you played only at one casino, you’d be stuck with a house edge of -2.7% on European roulette. Let’s say you played 5,000 spins at this same casino. That’s 5,000 spins with a 2.7% edge against you.

Now say you spread those 5,000 spins across 5 different online casinos, who were all eager to win your business. So through their welcome bonuses, the casino would temporarily reduce the house edge for you. The end result may be an average edge of just -1.9% against you. In the long-term, it’s a significant difference.

Is Online Live Dealer Roulette like Being in the Casino?

Online roulette has evolved alongside technological advances to deliver an exhilarating gaming experience comparable to the real thing. The newly-developed live dealer version of the online favorite is as close to the brick-and-mortar experience as you’re liable to find, complete with multiple camera angles, live interactions, and naturally a live dealer.

The best part of online live dealer roulette is that many top online casinos are now offering this fantastic gaming option alongside competitive bonuses and considerably more action than the standard variants of this wildly popular table game can deliver.

Live Dealer Roulette

Online live roulette offers players the opportunity to place bets on roulette with a croupier, a real table, and, most importantly, the social interactions commonly found in casinos, giving them an authentic gambling experience online. The gameplay streams live via a dedicated video stream, while all of the action occurs in a professional casino studio.

Multiple players are allowed to bet at the same table, plus they’re allowed to chat with the croupier by typing messages into a chatbox; the croupier then replies verbally. As previously mentioned, you’ll be able to view various angles with the majority of live dealer casinos operating with at least two camera operators per table.

 Most sites offer two viewing angles, namely, an overview angle (that introduces the croupier and the table). Following that, you’ll be able to view the table from the top to follow the spin and the ball’s resting position.

Sophisticated software allows the user to interact with a digital user interface and for the results to be instantly digitized and displayed on the screen, similarly to the graphics frequently seen on live sports broadcasts. This feature facilitates a clear view of the ball’s resting position so that there are no gameplay discrepancies. In addition to the graphics, there is also a pit boss on duty to keep an eye on proceedings and facilitate mediation should the need arise.

Various industry-leading software developers now specialize in live dealer software, with the quality of the audio-visual presentation continually improving. Some recommended live dealer roulette online casinos now feature many roulette tables that offer players even more gambling choices.

Players that are skeptical of online casino RNGs (Random Number Generators) can rest assured that live dealers use no RNGs and that the action is entirely organic.

Live Dealer Roulette Vs. Land-Based Casino Roulette

As highlighted above, live dealer casinos use live-stream technology called Optical Camera Recognition (OCR). This specialized software enables the broadcast of detailed information in real-time. The rest of the components used by live casinos are similar to those found in casinos, save for the sophisticated equipment used to record and stream the action. Safety is of utmost concern, and players can count on reputable casinos to comply with gambling rules and regulations.

Playing live dealer roulette is the closest you’ll get to sitting at a roulette table at a brick-and-mortar casino. Naturally, you’ll have limited verbal interaction with the croupier and other players, but you’ll still be able to enjoy the realism that this option offers.

You’ll also be able to bet from the comfort of your home or anywhere for that matter, provided your internet connection and device are capable of streaming live HD video. Live dealer casinos offer more privacy and the option to claim bonuses and promotions to pad your bankroll to prolong gameplay.

Online live roulette features professional dealers or croupiers intent on treating you like a VIP; these well-presented and courteous casino employees are both amicable and helpful. With years of experience, they’re sure to enhance the entertainment factor, ensuring that every game is enjoyable and that gameplay progresses smoothly.

Players should be aware that, similarly to land-based roulette, there are time limits imposed on betting, preventing unnecessary interruptions that may affect the game’s flow.

As you’ve come to expect a certain level of professionalism from online casinos, many of these sites offer several different roulette variants, some of which feature side games or extra features.

If you’re looking for the best of both roulette worlds, brick-and-mortar and online, be sure to consider online live roulette. This gambling option allows you to experience the social elements and live entertainment of land-based roulette with the convenience, bonus structure, and privacy that’s associated with online roulette. The realism of live dealer roulette makes for a compelling betting experience that has attracted countless roulette players.

Online casinos that offer live dealer games utilize the very best software and tech to stream flawless live HD video right to your device. Plus, players have the added benefit of interacting with the croupier via a user interface reminiscent of online roulette.

As the market becomes increasingly competitive, you’ll be astounded by the streaming service’s quality, the bonuses on offer, and the croupiers’ professionalism.