Roulette may be one of the oldest casino games, but it’s still one of the most popular. The game is iconic and for many is synonymous with the casino experience.

For a game as old as roulette, it’s only natural that it has undergone a number of changes over the years. Today, the two main types of roulette found at casinos are American roulette and European roulette. Let’s examine American roulette v European roulette and discuss which version of live dealer roulette is best for your casino.  

American Roulette

When roulette arrived in the US in the 1800s, casino owners made a seemingly small change to the game, but one that would prove to be incredibly significant; they added an extra zero. This gave an extra betting option for players to choose from, but it also worked to make the edge more favorable to the house.

This new zero is represented as a double zero, with the new pocket on the wheel increasing the total number from the original 37 to 38. The key difference in American roulette is that the chance of landing on a chosen number is reduced while the odds remain at the standard 35/1, what this does is increase the house edge to 5.26%.

The American version of roulette also has a unique feature called the Five Number Bet. This is a wager that covers both the zero and double zero, as well as the numbers one, two, and three. This bet carries a house edge of 7.9% but can offer the player payout odds of six to one.

So, American roulette v European roulette, how do they stack up against each other?

European Roulette

European roulette wheels feature just a single zero which, combined with the numbers one to 36, makes for a total of 37 pockets. With odds for each pocket at 35/1, the game offers players a more generous house edge of 2.7%.  

What other differences can be found when comparing American roulette v European roulette? The first and most well-known of these is called En Prison. What this means is that, in the case of the ball landing on zero, bets on even money wagers will not be taken by the house and will instead remain in place on the table.

The other feature is called La Partage, which can be offered to players in place of En Prison. Should the ball land on the zero when La Partage is in use, half of the stakes placed on even money bets will return to the player with the other half taken by the house. This feature reduces the house edge of even money bets down to 1.35%.  

There are clear differences to see between American roulette v European roulette. This variety is one of the reasons why the game remains so popular. Let’s find out more.

Why is Roulette so Popular?

Roulette is one of the most popular worldwide casino games. According to research published by the Gambling Commission last year, roulette accounted for largest share of gross gambling yield in the UK online gambling sector, outside of slots. American roulette v European roulette: players seem to love the game regardless of what version is on offer.

As the operator of a live casino, your players will expect one if not several roulette options to be available. Just why is it so popular? One answer could be in its simplicity. Other than a basic understanding of how the game works, roulette requires little else to play and, more importantly, to win.

Roulette is also a game that encourages banter and social interaction. This is what makes live dealer roulette such an incredible addition to any live casino, it will give players the thrill and excitement of the traditional casino experience. Out of American roulette v European roulette, which is the best choice for your casino?

Which is Best For Your Live Casino?

When examining American roulette v European roulette, it’s clear to see that both come with their own unique advantages and disadvantages. American roulette is the most commonly depicted version the game in media, and it is by far the most popular game at US land-based casinos. With European roulette’s more generous house edge, why is it that the American version continues to be so popular?

Players enjoy the extra choice offered by the addition of the extra zero, and might appreciate the simplification of the rules through the omission of some features, but it is perhaps American roulette’s familiarity that makes it so enduringly popular, as it’s human nature to be drawn to things we are familiar with.

That said, European roulette is certainly becoming more popular among players, who are coming to enjoy the improved winning opportunities and additional features.

So, American roulette v European roulette; which is best for your live casino? The answer is both! By offering your players as much choice as possible, it will ensure they continue to play on your platform rather than turn to a competitor to find their favourite roulette game.

Conclusion

The American roulette v European roulette debate rages on, and it’s easy to assume that the differences between the versions are inconsequential. However, they can have an enormous impact on the player experience. Use this guide to learn the differences between the two and why both are essential for your live casino.  

Roulette is the quintessential casino game. It has been around for centuries and remains one of the most popular options for gamblers all across the world. Some experts estimate that roulette is as much as 400 years old and, and for a game that has been around for so long, it’s only natural that it has undergone some modifications and alterations over the years.

While the core principles of the game remain the same, certain aspects have been tweaked to improve the playing experience, giving rise to several different variations of the classic casino title.

Today, many casinos will provide one or maybe two versions of live roulette. However, there can be a real benefit to offering players multiple versions to choose from. Let’s take a look at the different variations of roulette and discuss how offering players a choice can enhance your online casino.

European Roulette

European roulette is the oldest form of the game, first created at some point in the 18^th century. A European roulette wheel has 37 numbers, comprised of numbers one to 36 as well as the zero. These numbers are divided equally between the red and black colours and appear to be arranged randomly around the wheel. However, there is a system to the arrangement. They wheel is designed to ensure a consistent distribution of high, low, odd, and even numbers all around the wheel.

In European roulette, players come up against a house edge of 2.7%. This is one of the reasons why roulette has proved so popular for so long, players can enjoy regular wins which encourage them to return to the table.

French Roulette

Roulette was invented in France, with the name itself coming from the French word for ‘little wheel’. However, the French version of the game has a few differences when compared the traditional European game.

French roulette has a feature called En Prison. This means that when the ball lands on the zero, bets on even the money wagers 1-18, 19-36, black, red, odd, and even, will remain in place on the board instead of being taken by the house.

Sometimes, French roulette games can offer players a feature called La Partage instead of En Prison. In La Partage, half the stake of wagers placed on even money bets will be returned to the player should the ball land on the zero.

American Roulette

Roulette was brought to the US in the late 1800s. It didn’t take long for American casino owners to make changes to the game before introducing it to their players. By simply adding an extra zero to the wheel, American roulette’s house edge was upped to 5.26%, considerably more than the house edge of European roulette.

The wheel layout in American roulette is different too. The two zeros, marked as 0 and 00, are at opposite sides of the wheel, while the remaining numbers make up the space between them. These numbers alternate between red and black and, much like European roulette, are arranged around the wheel with even distribution in mind.

Auto Roulette

Auto roulette is relatively easy to understand, with the variation coming to prominence as digital technology improved.

In traditional live roulette, a croupier spins the balls, collects the bets, and pays out the winnings. However, in auto roulette all of these processes are carried out electronically and automatically. This can work to create a fast paced, efficient game with little or no talking amongst players. Auto roulette is perfect for players who want to focus purely on the game and aren’t interested in taking part in the hustle and bustle of the casino atmosphere.

What Versions to Offer at your Online Casino?

With so many different variations of live roulette available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your online casino. Your best bet is to offer players as many different variations as you can, this approach has a number of advantages and can truly enhance the player experience.

You’ll Attract More Players

Players can be particular about what games they play, often sticking to one or two specific types and rarely, if ever, deviating from these. By offering a range of different roulette variations at your online casino, you will ensure that you are attracting a broad range of players, no matter their tastes or personal preferences.

They Will Appreciate the Choice

Players enjoy having options. If they are having a bad run on a particular game, they might take a break and try their luck at another. The more options you have available to your players, the more likely they are to stay on your platform rather than leaving for a competitor.  

Conclusion

The variations of roulette might look almost identical on the surface, but there are subtle differences between them that can significantly alter the player experience. While some players might enjoy the challenge of American roulette, some might prefer the more generous house edge and extra features of European and French roulette. Whatever the preferences of your players, it’s vital you give them a choice of games to truly enhance your online casino.

There are plenty of ways in which the iGaming industry can eat into your return on investment. Countries allow online gambling with the stipulation of high taxes, ongoing fees, and strict regulations to ensure that the industry is safe for everyone. So that leaves what options to ensure that players gather and stay at your online casino? We think live casino games are the answer to keeping your players engaged for a higher ROI. Take a look at our many reasons why.

Target different cultures

Gambling is a universal concept. Whether you’re putting money down for your team to win or your pal to complete a dare, the idea is entrenched in cultures around the world. So, it only makes sense that the casino is also found around the world: places where people congregate to gamble.

With live casino games, you can take people to the casino wherever they are, so long as you have a licence for the country that they are in. You can go with the popular options like live dealer blackjack and roulette in order to bring in the biggest western audiences, but you can also target Indian markets with teen patti and Asian markets with sic bo. This has the double effect of you offering a multi-cultural catalogue of games for the evermore multicultural countries that you operate in and you will offer a niche alternative to players who are maybe looking for something new. Vivo Gaming offers all of its games like sic bo and teen patti with native-speaking dealers so that players from around the world can enjoy their favourite tables in the language they prefer. You can target any country you like with friendly live dealers that make the player feel comfortable by speaking in their native language and remove a big barrier to iGaming.

Target different tastes

To ensure that you are getting the most out of your live casino games, you should remember that because gambling is universal, all sorts of people take part – and they might have their own favourite games. All gambling games have their elements that might appeal to the player. The social aspect of bingo might, the simplicity of craps, and the technique of the poker table, all play into the choices of the player. In order to keep as many players of different tastes at the live casino games, offer some variety. Live casino games come in plenty of options, with VIVO Gaming options including American roulette, European roulette, blackjack, baccarat, casino Hold’em, dragon tiger, sic bo, andar bahar, teen patti and more to come in the future.

If you, for example, are looking to open a specialised online casino, you can use a variety of VIVO gaming products to create a vibe to your casino. Group together classic European casino table games for a casino meant to emulate Malta, and add European roulette rather than American for an authentic experience. Add bingo for a Brit-themed online casino, or baccarat for an Asian theme.

Offer an immersive experience

But the best way to ensure players stick around is with live casino games. Video casino games can give players the bare bones of a casino experience, which they can get tired of after a while. Live casino games put the human back into the concept, adding extra thrills to the idea of gambling online.

On top of that, live casino games give the player a fully immersive experience. They can feel like they are right there at the casino table, with a real casino streamed right to their phone or laptop complete with a friendly dealer. Playing live casino games can feel like a mini-break that way, rather than a distraction from home.

While offering more than what the casino can

But the best thing about live casino games is that it offers the best of both worlds. If you’re in a state or country with no land-based casinos, you don’t need to travel for the casino experience. You don’t even have to leave your home. Players can enjoy the blackjack table from the comfort of their own homes, without the need for travelling and all the money that is spent with that. Instead, that money can go into your live casino games to improve your return on investment.

But the most helpful element that VIVO Gaming can offer, that the casino can’t, is numbers. Operators looking at their online casinos can use the VIVO Gaming data feed API to understand where their players are coming from, what they’re playing, and what is making them stay, all from the one space. From there, you can use that insight to gain players from all over the internet. The VIVO data feed offers seamless API integration so that you can combine the VIVO data feed with your own simply.

Personalise your games

However, an element that makes live casino games stand out from video casino games is its ability to adapt. You can offer a lot of technical perks with VIVO Gaming live casino games that will make the game feel like it’s personalised to the player. We’ve already mentioned native-speaking dealers, with over 10 native language options in our dealers, but there is also the ability to customise your user interface so that it fits the needs of your players. But the most popular is the need to offer live casino games that are compatible with many different devices. It’s important to allow your players to access your games via their smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other device with a browser and a screen. VIVO Gaming live casino games are fully optimised to play on any device because that can make the difference between a player approaching the table or stepping away for good.

There are so many marketing opportunities to embrace in 2023 for live dealer casinos.  If you are working with a quality core product, that will attract loyal players – then that’s half the battle in itself.  Here we look at some ideas as to how you can drive traffic to your brand and enhance the player lifecycle when they get there.

Build a Strong Affiliate Network

Affiliate marketing is key to generating new players to your live dealer casino.  A big part of the success of those is nurturing partnerships, and having clear agreements in place as to what is expected from one another. It’s not all about placement of banners, or top positions – it’s also about creating innovative promotions and campaigns that will work well for their audience.  Find out how they get their traffic, what has worked well for other operators offering a similar product and implement.  It’s also critical that you liaise with your affiliate partners regularly to monitor success and assess performance. There’s always room for improvement, and it’s in both parties interests to create a fruitful relationship.

Brand Ambassadors & Influencers

As we have reached a new era of digital marketing where brand ambassadors and influencers are at the forefront of marketing campaigns across all industries, and it is something that is becoming increasingly used in iGaming.  The trick though is that if you are going down the ambassador route, you really need to find someone who has an affinity with your brand.  Do your research, as your casino will be intrinsically linked to them. 

When it comes to influencers, you need to ensure they have a relevant following on social media channels and that they fit in with your key demographic.  Ask them for information on their engagement levels, the types/placements of posts that have been most successful so far and create a specific marketing strategy surrounding that.  There are social media listening tools that you can use that will help you ascertain the success of it by measuring engagement levels on social media channels, brand mentions over time – and you will of course be able to look at your own analytics.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

Although the regulations are becoming more stringent in terms of sponsorships and football clubs and other sports teams, it’s still a feasible way to market your live dealer casino as part of a holistic campaign where you are creating multiple touch points. 

As well as this, you may want to consider sponsoring a TV show, podcast or radio show.  This will allow you to reach a mass audience very quickly.  

Marketing within our Chroma Key Studio

The great thing about our white label solution at Vivo Gaming is that it allows huge amounts of customisation.  You can have your branding throughout so players always know exactly where they are, and you can also push other offers/promotions you are hosting within the site.  If you host a World Cup promotion, or Christmas promotion for example, make sure it’s featured to encourage them to stay longer on site.

If you want to market your live dealer casino to a whole new level in 2023, then these should be some considerations.

Have you considered sports betting for your casino? There are a lot of benefits to adding sports betting as an element to your online casino catalogue, not least because it will intrigue your players. Take a look at all the perks we see in expanding into sports betting for your casino.

Expand your catalogue

First of all, sports betting for your casino allows you another notch on your belt. You can now be the casino that offers sports betting and casino games. A little diversity in your casino catalogue is always helpful. Right away, players will see that you are offering them something new and exciting more than what you’ve offered before.

Offer a niche option

It’s also likely that, by adding sports betting for your casino, you’re offering more than what other online casinos are offering. Most iGaming brands that offer sports betting first and add on slots and video table games, but you’re an online casino that offers all of them in equal measure. You’re the all rounder that appeals to everyone, standing out from many online casinos that don’t offer sports betting as an option unless their main business model is sports betting.

Grab a new demographic

Sports betting fans and casino betting fans. It’s not the case that never the two shall meet, but there is a pretty distinct demographic split there. Most people tend to do one over the other. And then there are offshoots like bingo betting fans.

A new market to take advantage of

Sports betting is a massive market to take advantage of. This is proven by the number of states that have taken to legalising sports betting since the Supreme Court dissolved the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. US states are recognising the benefit of the taxes coming from the market, which in turn points to the idea that the market is thriving. It makes sense for online casinos to take advantage of this new avenue that was previously unafforded to them.

Offer convenience to players

Meanwhile, elsewhere sports betting has always been a major player in gambling options. To offer your players a means of taking part in sports betting for your casino means that you are offering them an easier way to play. They can access your sportsbook and make bets as they wish, and, depending on where you are in the world, without the requirement of actually being inside the physical bookies to place them. The perk of any business online has always been to do it from your phone or computer, which you can now offer to sports betting fans.

Take advantage of world events

Sports betting is especially relevant in the iGaming sphere right now due to the commencement of the Qatar World Cup. If you were to add sports betting for your casino, you can get involved with this world event that sees 32 countries go head to head in a football tournament. Come February, the Super Bowl will kick off, which brings together both sports and music fans, and in 2024 we’ll get to enjoy the Olympics. That is a lot of chances to reach a global audience all eager to place bets. Even if there isn’t a worldwide sporting event kicking off next week, there are plenty of smaller localised tournaments and teams to bet on, so there is never a day of the calendar that is without a chance for some sports betting.

Random number generators, or RNGs, allows for a lottery element of sorts to a lot of games. The mechanic itself essentially assigns a random number of tries at an action in order to gain the “prize” or result wanted from the game. Take a look at our guide to see where the benefits of adding RNG games to your online casinos are.

Uses of RNG

There are a lot of ways you can implement RNG games, which differ due to the format or gaming industry sector. In the console world, for example, they’re mainly used to keep loot boxes fair. Loot boxes have been known to be controversial since initially they were seen as a form of gambling in games that could be deemed appropriate for kids, but with RNG games, a player can defeat a boss once, or several times in order to get the rare prize they’re looking for without having to spend any in-universe or real-world money.

Other console RNG games add a random element to the combat, adding random strengths of effects to your attack, so you might knock a boss out in one swing, or 20. You might get swarmed with enemies, or be lucky enough for the RNG games to send you one or two at a time.

RNG in loot boxes

As mentioned, loot boxes have had a tangential relationship with gambling, with some considering it gambling within console and PC games. But this point demonstrates a lesson for casino operators and casino game developers: RNG games keep gambling interesting. Fortnite has been known to use RNG to keep prizes interesting. When you’re battling it out to reach the loot at the centre of the map, you might gain a high-value prize for it, or a low-value prize and need to try again to gain something better. This is because every weapon or item has a different percentage chance of appearing in the loot box in the area.

RNG to allow for luck

Similarly, RNG games’ random element is used by Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to give the first-person shooter, typically a genre of game that requires skill, an element of luck to it. Depending on whether you are a fan of skill or luck you’ll hate or love this decision, but CS: GO is known to use RNG in various elements of its gameplay to offer an element of chance that isn’t typically there in first-person shooters. Specifically, CS: GO uses RNG on its bullets, allowing the random element to determine if the bullet hits its target or not.

RNG to grind

Grinding, in PC and console games, has the real-life equivalent of practice: you do something over and over again and eventually, you get better. You might gain a skill or a level up, which you can then take into the world and use to defeat an enemy, win a mission, swap with a merchant, etc. and gain a prize. Where the RNG games come into it is the effect on the experience (or XP) gained in order to get better. Every action can be given a random amount of XP, like in Pokémon, which might mean it takes defeating one small easy enemy to level up your Pokémon, or hundreds.

RNG in slot machines

But what about the casino? Where can RNG games really thrive in the casino? Well, by taking elements as demonstrated here in console games, and applying them to slot machines and table games in online casinos.

The gambling element that loot boxes are known for is already front and centre when it comes to slot machines, but RNG games are a good way to ensure they stay fair. There is always going to be a suspicion among new players that because the slot machine is inside a computer, it’s rigged. RNG games can be used to ensure players that they are getting a fair shot. The slot machine will offer random icons, random paylines, and random wins.

This, like its use in Fortnite, can be used to keep players on their toes. If you want to entice players to keep playing, you need to give them highs and lows. RNG games can offer such a feeling, that maybe they haven’t won much lately, but a change is coming.

At the same time, the RNG games allow for the guarantee of luck for your players. They might get their win on the next spin, they might not. It’s what makes sure that the game is fair to the player and truly a game of chance.

And the idea of grinding keeps the player at your game. With randomly assigned upgrades, they can keep spinning until they get the prize they want.

RNG in live dealer games

It’s worth remembering that slot machines aren’t the only casino games that can benefit from an RNG element. If you are interested in implementing any live dealer casino games in your online casino, there are lots of ways you can integrate RNG elements with our solutions.

If you’ve ever looked at a live dealer casino, no doubt you were blown away by the graphics. That might be because they were slick, they were exciting, or they were simply ugly. We’re looking at the importance of graphics for live dealer casinos and why it’s vital that you get them right.

It’s eye-catching

But the graphics can also simply entertain. You can have graphics in your live dealer casino that elevate the gaming experience, whether it’s entering the live dealer stream via some animated curtains or getting an animated celebration when your player wins.

Keeping your graphics eye-catching is important. It’s the main way players decide what website they’re going to use. You can tell them to read reviews all you want and entice them with offers and promotions, but the truth of the matter is that most people go off of vibes. We’re a vain bunch who will stick to a website that we like the look of and will not tolerate a live dealer casino that we don’t like the look of. We’re all looking to enjoy our time at these casinos, and the way you tell these players that they will enjoy themselves is with graphics.

It sets the tone

But what catches eyes? And what eyes do you want to catch? This depends on the demographic you’re aiming for, but casino players come in all shapes and sizes. Is your live dealer casino going to be professional or playful? Classic or modern? Simple or bombastic?

Just like there are millions of slot machine themes out there, there are a million different live dealer casino themes too. Everything from James Bond to Miami Heat has been replicated in casino themes. Because the online casino is a place to hang out and have the same sort of fun you would have at a bar, and every bar has a theme.

It sets the tone for the night they’re going to have and is depicted in the graphics. And the best live dealer casino graphics are simply the ones that put in a little effort. Go too simple and bare bones with your graphics and you might come off as boring, or worse, dodgy.

It takes table games from ordinary to extraordinary

Graphics don’t just mean the pretty pictures on the screen, though, as we’ve discussed, they go a long way to setting the tone, which is an important aspect of any live dealer casino. But they also are where you can take a standard gambling experience and elevate it. Take our live dealer casino tables, for example. What real-world casino table do you know has graphics around it displaying information on your bet, or the other people at the table? What other table has a chatroom? The graphics are the entryway to these features, and it’s important how they look, or players will simply not use them either because the ugly state of them gives them a headache or it simply looks boring.

They have to be clear

It’s important that graphics that are part of the live dealer casino experience are clear. You can be as flashy as you want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with actually understanding them. These graphics give a lot of information, such as that about the players’ bets or the other players at the table, and if the player is unable to read them, you’re in for some trouble. It’s worth remembering that casino and classic table games have universal appeal when it comes to demographic. That includes those who might have issues reading a tiny font.

But replicate real life

The point of a live dealer casino is immersion. You want the player to feel like they are really there in the casino. So any graphics you add shouldn’t intrude on the basic vibe of being in the casino at the blackjack table. The information given should float around the action. And if you plan on adding anything to the stream, it should add to the experience of the casino action, like celebrations when the player wins, or digitized casino wheels that display the results automatically.

Conclusion

The graphics are hugely important to any interface on the internet, but especially a live dealer casino. They convey information while exciting the player. At VIVO Gaming we pride ourselves on our impeccable and professional graphics that convey a good time but also a reliable and safe place to bet. Our timeless design will slot nicely into any online casino. Take a look at our products to see for yourself.