Roulette: Pros and Cons
- Accessible for beginners
- Wide variety of ‘bet’ types offered
- Available on multiple online platforms
- Frequent bonuses and daily rewards
- Higher house edge than European roulette
Fundamentals of American Roulette: The Basics You Need to Know
American roulette is the classic version you’ll spot in most North American casinos, both brick-and-mortar and online sweepstakes platforms. The iconic double zero wheel is its signature, boasting 38 numbered pockets: 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00. Your goal? Predict where the ball will land after a spin. In sweepstakes casinos, you’ll play with virtual currency, giving you a taste of the action without any cash on the line. This makes American roulette an accessible and exciting choice for newcomers interested in trying out the game in a low-risk environment.
Breaking Down the American Roulette Wheel
The American roulette wheel stands out thanks to its 38 pockets—two of which are the green 0 and 00. The remaining numbers alternate between red and black in a way that keeps the odds balanced. The numbers aren’t in sequence; they’re arranged in a pattern designed to spread out high and low, odd and even numbers, making every spin unpredictable. The two green zeros set American roulette apart, and their placement plays a huge role in the game’s odds and overall strategy.
Bet Types and Payouts in American Roulette
American roulette offers a tempting mix of bets, each with its own risk and payout. Obviously, if you’re playing at a sweepstakes casino, these “bets” are placed in virtual currency, not real money. But it works the same way in any case.
Inside bets are all about specific numbers:
- Straight up (single number, pays 35:1),
- Split (two numbers, 17:1),
- Street (three numbers, 11:1),
- Corner (four numbers, 8:1),
- Line (six numbers, 5:1),
- The infamous five-number bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) pays 6:1 but isn’t recommended due to its high house edge.
Outside bets—like red/black, odd/even, high/low (all 1:1), dozens, and columns (both 2:1)—cover larger groups for lower payouts but better odds. While the big wins from inside bets are appealing, outside bets keep things steadier. A word to the wise: the five-number bet is tempting but comes with the least favorable odds.
American vs. European Roulette: Spotting the Differences
If you’re deciding between American roulette and European roulette, here’s what you should know.
- The American wheel has 38 pockets, thanks to the extra 00; European has 37.
- That extra green zero in American roulette bumps the house edge up to 5.26%, compared to just 2.70% for the European style.
- Only American roulette features the five-number bet (which comes with the worst odds).
Mini Reviews of Top Sweepstakes Casinos for American roulette
Here are a few great sweepstakes casino sites you might like to check out.
Real Prize
RealPrize Casino
- Generous Bonus Offer
- User-centric Interface
- No Purchase Necessary
- Mobile App Availability
- Limited Support Options
- Restricted in Some States
Real Prize is a colorful and energetic social casino launched in 2023, featuring over 700 games from both big-name and boutique providers. New players receive a generous 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins just for signing up—no purchase necessary. The site is easy to use, thanks to its bold blue and gold design, and daily logins plus frequent tournaments keep things fresh. Real Prize is available in most US states, and players can redeem winnings for gift cards or cash prizes after meeting simple requirements. The loyalty program unlocks even more perks as you play, and while there’s no mobile app, the site runs smoothly on any device. This platform is a solid choice if you’re looking to enjoy roulette or get a feel for the game before trying American roulette online for real money.
Stake.us
Stake.us: Pros & Cons
- Exclusive Bonus Code
- Intuitive Interface
- Diverse Game Library
- Seamless Mobile Experience
- Robust Security Measures
- Limited High-Stakes Options
- Restriced in Many US States
- No Social Sports Betting
Stake.us stands out with its enormous selection—over 2,000 games, including a good mix of roulette and other casino-style favorites. New players can claim the following bonus: 560K Gold Coins, 56 SC, and 5% rakeback with the bonus code COMPLETESOCIAL. The site’s dark, sleek look is matched by an efficient layout and top-notch search functionality, so you’re never lost. Stake.us is known for fast redemptions, a lively community, and is available in nearly every US state. Crypto purchases are accepted, customer service is quick, and regular tournaments and bonuses keep players coming back. There’s no app, but the site is fully optimized for mobile play, making it easy to enjoy roulette wherever you are.
McLuck
McLuck: A Balanced Review
- Generous Bonus Offer
- Intuitive Design
- No App Needed
- Robust Security
- Transparent Policies
- Responsive Mobile Site
- No Mobile App
- Limited Language Options
McLuck is a social casino that’s quickly gained traction, offering over 1,000 games from more than 40 providers. Upon signup and verification, you’re gifted 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins, no code needed. The first purchase bonus (optional) sweetens the deal with 50,000 GC and 25 free bonus SC for $9.99. The platform is sleek, with a dark theme and colorful game selection, and the experience is seamless on both desktop and native iOS/Android apps. Support is always available—live chat opens up after your first purchase—and there are weekly tournaments, daily rewards, and a rewarding VIP club. Available in dozens of US states, McLuck is a great place to get started with free American roulette online.
MegaBonanza
Pros and Cons of Megabonanza
- New accounts can claim 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins
- Purchasing options are straightforward, with the choice to use social casino redemptions and receive extra Sweepstakes Coins
- Over 800 games from top developers
MegaBonanza is a newcomer but already makes waves with a 1,000+ game library and a wild west-inspired site. There’s no bonus code for roulette, but you’ll get a no-purchase bonus of 7,500 GC and 2.5 SC for registering, with a first purchase offer of 50,000 GC and 25 free SC for $9.99. The site’s quick-loading interface and clear categories make finding roulette and other games easy. Tournaments, daily reloads, and a refer-a-friend scheme keep things interesting, and MegaBonanza is available in many areas throughout the USA.
Jackpota
Jackpota Casino: Pros & Cons
- Generous Bonus Offers
- User-Friendly Interface
- Reliable Customer Support
- Mobile Optimized Website
- Secure and Transparent
- No Dedicated App
- Limited Payment Details
Jackpota brings a black-and-gold aesthetic and a Vegas-style atmosphere to your screen, with over 700 slots and classic table games like roulette. Sign up within five minutes to grab 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins—no bonus code necessary. There’s a steady stream of daily freebies, tournaments, and seasonal promotions, plus a refer-a-friend feature that can net you even more rewards. Support is available 24/7, and you can redeem Sweeps Coins for gift cards or cash prizes. Jackpota works great on both desktop and mobile browsers, with a quick sign-up process and an easy-to-use layout. For anyone wanting to learn how to play roulette in a fun setting, Jackpota is an excellent pick.
| Roulette Feature |
Details |
| Number of Pockets on Wheel |
38 (numbers 1-36, plus 0 and 00) |
| Distinctive Feature |
Double zero (00) pocket, unique to American roulette |
| Main Inside Bets & Payouts |
- Straight Up (single number): 35:1
- Split (two numbers): 17:1
- Street (three numbers): 11:1
- Corner (four numbers): 8:1
- Line (six numbers): 5:1
- Five-Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3): 6:1
|
| Main Outside Bets & Payouts |
- Red/Black: 1:1
- Odd/Even: 1:1
- High/Low: 1:1
- Dozens: 2:1
- Columns: 2:1
|
| House Edge |
5.26% on most bets; 7.89% on the five-number bet |
Your American Roulette Starting Point
Now that you know the essentials of American roulette, you’re ready to play with confidence—whether it’s free online or for real prizes. Take a spin at one of the top sweepstakes casinos mentioned above and see which platform suits your style best. Enjoy the experience, stay mindful of your choices, and have fun at the tables!
Explore these our social casino bonuses
1.
Get 200% More Coins on First Purchase – 1.5M CC + 75 SC
Players from USA accepted
Playthrough: 1x Bonus
2.
25 SC and 25K GC signup bonus
+ 10K GC and 1 SC daily for life
Players from USA accepted
3.
Get up to 500K Gold Coins + 105 FREE SC + 1000 VIP points
Players from USA accepted
4.
150% First Purchase Offer: Up to 600K Gold Coins + 303 SC FREE
Players from USA accepted
5.
625K Golden Coins + Up to 125 SC FREE + 1250 VIP Points
Players from USA accepted
How to play American roulette FAQ
🎡 What makes American roulette different from European roulette?
American roulette features a wheel with 38 pockets—including both a single zero and a double zero—while European roulette has 37 pockets and only a single zero. This extra pocket increases the house edge in American roulette, making your chances of winning slightly lower compared to the European version.
🎰 What are the main types of bets available in American roulette?
You can place inside bets on specific numbers for bigger payouts, such as straight up, split, street, corner, and line bets. Outside bets include red/black, odd/even, high/low, dozens, and columns. American roulette also has a unique five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3.
🏆 Which sweepstakes casinos offer free American roulette and what do you get for signing up?
Real Prize gives you 100,000 Gold Coins and 2.0 Sweeps Coins, Stake.us offers 560,000 Gold Coins and 56 Sweeps Coins plus a 5% rakeback if you use a bonus code, McLuck provides 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweepstakes Coins, MegaBonanza gives 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins, and Jackpota grants 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins upon registration.
⚠️ Why is the five-number bet in American roulette not recommended?
The five-number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, but it comes with the least favorable odds and a much higher house edge than other bets on the table. This means your chances of winning are lower than with most other betting options.
