Is Online Roulette Rigged?

Is online roulette rigged? The short answer is no, it’s not rigged. A longer answer is that same as 300+ years ago, this game is based on math. Roulette’s gameplay is designed so the house always wins in the long run. For example, betting $1 on all 37 numbers costs you $37, but the maximum payout is $36. 

That built-in edge is why casinos don’t need to cheat. Still, if you need more evidence for why online roulette isn’t rigged, I’ll break it all down in this guide.

How Online Roulette Fairness Works

In live roulette, it’s all about mathematics. The rules of the game are set in such a way that the house always wins in the end. In virtual roulette, which is the kind you play at online casinos, it’s all about the RNG. 

Random number generators (RNGs) decide where the ball lands in online roulette. Instead of a person pulling the strings, an algorithm handles it all. RNGs are the industry standard, but like any software, they can be hacked. That’s another reason why sticking to the best roulette casino sites is a must. 

Check online casino reviews, independent audits from labs like eCOGRA or GLI, and look for licenses from regulators such as the UKGC or New Jersey’s DGE. If you want extra peace of mind, try provably fair crypto games, which are virtually impossible to rig.

Roulette Variants and House Edge

When roulette was invented back in the 17^th century (some say by the famous French mathematician Blaise Pascal), the game had 37 numbers in total, from 0 to 36. Over the years, many alternative variants have spawned, so these days, you can find literally dozens (if not hundreds) of different roulette games. However, based on popularity, three variants stand out: European, American, and French. 

European Roulette

Known as European or single-zero roulette, it remains the most popular variant of the game worldwide. It’s not just because of the centuries-long tradition, but also because it’s got a high payout rate. Its RTP is 97.30%, meaning that the house only earns 2.70%.

It is a bit different story when it comes to American Roulette, a variant popular in casinos around the US. The basic rules are the same, with the only major difference being that there’s also a double-zero (00) on the table.

American Roulette

Thanks to the double-zero, there are 38 numbers in the game, unlike 37 in the European version. Meanwhile, the payout remains the same (36x for straight bets). The result of this is that its RTP is 94.74%.

European Roulette has a significantly higher RTP than its American counterpart, but there’s one variant with a 98.75% payout percentage: French Roulette.

French Roulette

It’s got the same 0–36 wheel as the European variant, but with special rules like La Partage and En Prison. These rules return half your even-money bet if the ball lands on zero, lowering the house edge to roughly 1.25%.

Are Roulette Live Dealer Games Less Likely to Be Rigged?

In land-based casinos, live roulette means watching the dealer spin a real wheel and launch the ball, with outcomes that are entirely random. 

The same principle applies online. Live dealer roulette isn’t RNG-based; the results come from genuine equipment, not computer code. That said, modern technology can blur the lines. With AI, a “dealer” could act as a host while software dictates the outcome, rigged to favor the house. 

The risk is even greater with purely virtual games. Still, “possible” doesn’t mean “common,” especially not when gambling at legit sites. The whole point of licensing bodies and independent auditors is to make sure approved games stay fair.

How to Spot Rigged or Unfair Roulette

The easiest way to make sure you stay away from rigged roulette (and other) games is to avoid blacklisted casinos. 

Look for reviews or Jackpot Meter ratings to see whether the site is loved or hated. If the latter is the case, the chance is high that its games might be rigged. 

Other than that, there are a few other ways to spot rigged roulette games, including the following:

• Click the testing seal to confirm it’s real, not just a static logo (it should take you to the site of eCOGRA or some other auditor).
• Make sure the license is visible and verifiable in the regulator’s database (e.g., for Curaçao licenses, you can find data at GamingControlCuracao.org). 
• Stick to trusted providers for both RNG roulette and live dealer games (Evolution, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, etc.).
• Check that the RTP (return to player) is disclosed; otherwise, it may not be 98.75% for French Roulette, 97.30% for European, etc.
• Avoid roulette wheels with triple/quadruple zeros because when there’s more numbers in the game, the RTP is lower. 
• Stay away from short-pay tables where the payout for straight bets is lower than 36x. 
• Inspect the live stream to make sure the wheel is always visible; suspicious camera cuts can hide manipulation.
• Crypto games labeled as “provably fair” should be verifiable on-chain; if you can’t check the proof yourself, it’s meaningless.

FAQs

Leave Rigged Roulette Games Behind

Online roulette isn’t rigged by default because the math of the game ensures the house wins in the long run. The real danger comes from shady, unlicensed sites that can manipulate RNGs or even rig live streams. 

That’s why it’s crucial to stick to casinos licensed by trusted authorities and certified by independent labs such as eCOGRA or GLI. Such casinos use audited software and transparent rules, giving you peace of mind that every spin is fair. And when the casino is legit, there’s plenty of money to be made. In fact, you can even win a million dollars playing roulette. 

That said, your No. 1 goal is to pick a legit online casino. Then, it’s time to choose which roulette variant to play. There are plenty of options that fit the description, but if you’re asking us for advice: go with French Roulette by BGaming at TrustDice.