Spin to Win – Canada’s Ultimate Guide to American Roulette

American roulette often plays second fiddle to European versions of the game, but it is also  misunderstood. Because it is so popular, we think that it is time to shine some light on American roulette games. On this page, our experts have reviewed and listed the best American roulette casinos in Canada. Head below to see our analysis and also learn more about this exciting and different version of roulette.

We may be playing from north of the border, but we are still experts in all American roulette, and our mission is crystal clear. Our team of industry experts focuses on helping players find the best online roulette games. And yes, that means choosing the top iGaming sites in general, each offering a world-class overall platform for players.

By scouring dozens of online casinos available in Canada, we can help players make smarter choices when looking for the best American roulette casinos. We are able to give expert opinions through decades of experience, but also provide real-world feedback because we are players, too. American roulette games are not just about the thrill of the wheel – understanding the game and where to play can improve your enjoyment.  

By scouring dozens of online casinos available in Canada, we can help players make smarter choices when looking for the best American roulette casinos. We are able to give expert opinions through decades of experience, but also provide real-world feedback because we are players, too. American roulette games are not just about the thrill of the wheel – understanding the game and where to play can improve your enjoyment.

We are proudly Canadian, and our hands-on approach involves real testing covering game selections, bonuses, payments, security, fairness, and more. After hours of gameplay and testing, our review team can provide a fair rating. That’s our passion, and it’s a challenge we love – especially when it helps our community.

American roulette is one of the most popular variants of the classic casino game. It has been played in land-based casinos in the United States since the 19th century and is an offshoot of the original European roulette games that emerged in 18th-century France.

The big difference with American roulette games is that they introduce a double zero (“00”) alongside the single zero in European and French variations. When the game made its journey across the Atlantic, casino operators were looking for ways to make more profit from players. On American wheels, the extra zero results in a higher house edge (and a lower RTP or Return to Player) than European tables.

You’ll see a wheel with 38 pockets numbered 1 through 36 plus the 0 and 00. Numbers are split between red and black, with the zero pockets in green. Gameplay is the same as European versions, with players seeking to predict where the ball lands after a spin of the wheel. Betting options include single numbers, groups of numbers, red or black, or whether the outcome is odd or even.

All the best American roulette games have simple rules once you settle in and understand how the wheel and table work together.

The Wheel and Pockets

• The wheel contains 38 pockets, numbers 1–36, plus 0 and 00.
• Red and black alternate for the numbers, but both zeroes are green.
• The double zero is the defining feature, creating a higher house edge than European versions.

The Table Layout

• The betting grid displays all numbers (1–36) plus separate boxes for 0 and 00.
• Around the outside are options for betting on even-money outcomes (red/black, odd/even, high/low), plus dozens and columns.

How a Round Works

• Players place chips on the table to mark their wagers.
• The dealer spins the wheel one way and sends the ball in the opposite direction.
• When the dealer announces, “no more bets,” play is locked.
• The ball lands in a pocket, and winning bets are paid out.

Bet Types

• Inside Bets (riskier, higher payouts):
• Straight (1 number) – 35:1
• Split (2 numbers) – 17:1
• Street (3 numbers) – 11:1
• Corner (4 numbers) – 8:1
• Line (6 numbers) – 5:1
• Outside Bets (safer, lower payouts):
• Column/Dozen – 2:1
• Red/Black, Odd/Even, High/Low – 1:1

Special Bets

• Unlike French Roulette, American tables don’t offer call bets (such as Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre) or rules like La Partage/En Prison.

Key Takeaway: At first glance, American roulette looks just like European or French tables. But that double zero really makes all the difference. Not only does it separate American games from other versions, but it also raises the house edge to 5.26%  compared to 2.7% in European/French games. It’s a big difference!

While you have fewer theoretical chances of winning, American roulette games are often more affordable. Minimum bets are lower than in other versions, making them appealing to budget players who still want real money thrills.

Like all forms of roulette, the American format is easy to learn, and you can be playing within minutes. Even if you are new to casino games in general, roulette is one of the easiest games to pick up. Below is a simple guide to playing your first American roulette round:

1. Start by choosing your bet and selecting how much you will wager. Outside bets like red/black, high/low, or odd/even are good options for beginners as they have a 50/50 chance of paying.
2. To make a bet, place your chips on the table in the section for your chosen number/bet. For American roulette online, this will happen on a virtual grid using your mouse or finger.
3. Once you set your bet, the dealer spins the wheel in one direction and rolls the ball onto the wheel in the opposite direction. There will also be a call of “no more bets” to lock the round.
4. When the ball lands in a single pocket, winning bets are paid according to the bets. The round now ends, and you can choose to play again or leave the table.

One of the most interesting things about any roulette variant is that the game itself is incredibly simple, but the complexity lies in the betting. Don’t worry too much, you can learn the American roulette betting options in just a few minutes.

But we definitely recommend that you do, because blindly making bets will just lead to burning through your bankroll. By understanding the bets, you can make key strategic decisions and control your spending during a session.

Inside Bets

Naming conventions of bets on roulette follow logic, so the inside bets are on the inside of the table grid. Specifically, they are on the number lattice in the center. This type of bet involves fewer numbers and lower odds of winning. On the flip side, the inside bets have higher payouts:

• Straight Up: betting on a single number (pays 35:1).
• Split: covering two adjacent numbers (pays 17:1).
• Street: betting on a row of three numbers (pays 11:1).
• Corner: four numbers forming a square (pays 8:1).
• Line: six numbers across two rows (pays 5:1).

The higher potential rewards of inside bets may be appealing to you if you are a player who is willing to take a bit of risk in search of bigger payouts.

Outside Bets

Outside bets on American roulette games are, you guessed it, found on the outer perimeter of the betting table. These cover larger number groups and have a higher chance of winning than inside bets. However, the payouts from these bets are smaller.

• Red or Black: betting on the colour (pays 1:1).
• Odd or Even: betting on the number type (pays 1:1).
• High or Low: betting on 1–18 or 19–36 (pays 1:1).
• Dozens: betting on 12-number groups (pays 2:1).
• Columns: betting on a vertical column of 12 numbers (pays 2:1).

The difference between inside and outside bets is finding a balance between risk and reward. If you are a player who prefers careful bets without much risk, outside bets offer better odds. High-level players often choose a mix of inside and outside bets to balance risk, excitement, and consistency.

The diverse betting of American roulette makes each spin potentially different, and the balance of risk/reward can change drastically across your wagers. Each bet type has different odds and payout amounts, so it is important to know what potential your bet has when you place your chips.

Examples of Common Bets

The double zero (00) in American roulette games is the big game-changer compared to European or French tables. On those traditional games, the house edge is 2.7%, but American tables with the 00 increase the house edge to 5.26%.

If you are more familiar with return to player rates, the American roulette RTP is 94.74% for standard games. Whether it is house edge or RTP, the result is that the casino has a stronger statistical advantage on American games.

How American roulette compares with other casino favourites depends on the game. Slot machines have a house edge ranging from 2% to 10%, while the average is 4% (96% RTP). Blackjack has a superior house edge of 0.5 to 1% (99%+ RTP).

No matter if you are spinning the wheel for the first time or are a regular player looking to hone your skill, a strategy can increase the excitement and help you make better decisions. But let’s be clear, there is no roulette strategy that will guarantee you a win. American roulette is a game of luck, so you’ll never have control over the outcome.

Below, we will take you on a journey from beginner to expert and explain the strategies to use along the way.

Basic Roulette Strategies

Beginners to American roulette online should use safe betting principles, including low-risk wagers. The idea is to keep playing as long as possible while you learn the game and hopefully collect some payouts as you go.

• When you start out, stick to even money bets like red/black, odd/even, and high/low. Every time you choose one of these, you cut the roulette table in half and have a 50/50 chance of success. Having a higher probability of winning on each spin helps you to control losses and manage your bankroll.
• Single money bets are the riskiest in roulette, so try to spread your bets by placing chips on multiple numbers or patterns. Combine a column bet with a few straight-ups is one way to cover more potential outcomes.
• Responsible gambling is universal for beginners and experts, but having bankroll control is essential when you start out. Set yourself a clear budget and split it into smaller wager amounts. Keep a consistent bet range and step back if you are losing or running out of bankroll.

Advanced Roulette Strategies

When you become confident with beginner strategies, it is time to move towards more structured betting. Experienced American roulette players often use full betting systems that guide them on bet adjustments. None of the systems will change the roulette odds, but they can give you more bankroll control and offer extra discipline and excitement.

• Perhaps the most popular roulette strategy is the Martingale System, which involves doubling your bet following every loss. The idea is just a single win can help you recover all previous losses. It is easy but has risks because a long losing streak can wipe out  your bankroll.
• With the Fibonacci System, the strategy is to use the mathematical Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8…), where you slowly increase the bet amount. It is also risky if you hit a losing streak, as you will be increasing bets each time. 
• A more flexible approach is the Labouchere System, where you set betting units in a number sequence. Wins remove numbers from the sequence and losses add them. This is an expert-level system that requires patience and number tracking.

Betting System or Randomness?

Every single roulette spin is random and based entirely on chance. There is nothing you can do to change this or even influence the outcome of a spin. In theory, no system is going to help you win the game. There is no magic formula for success. But what systems can do is help you pace yourself and balance the ratio between bets and wins.

Whether you play American, European, or French roulette games, you have the same core gameplay experience. There are more similarities between these variants than there are differences. But there are differences, and it is important to know about them before you start playing.

• First up is the wheel and layout changes in American roulette games. It comes with a 0 and a 00 instead of just a single 0 in European and French roulette. It may seem like a small difference, but adding an extra pocket on the wheel changes the house edge. If the ball lands in a zero, you will lose all your bet. Because American tables have two green pockets, the chances of an outright loss are essentially double.
• We have already shown how the house edge and RTP of American roulette differ from European  and French tables. While those variants have a house edge of 2.7%, American roulette sits at a higher 5.26%. This is a big difference, especially over the long term, as you are statistically likely to lose more money playing American versions than European or French games.
• American and European roulette share the same betting structure, but French roulette has call bets and the En Prison and La Partage options. These help cover when the ball lands on zero by paying back a portion of your losing bet.
• The popularity of American roulette changes by region. It is a very common variant amongst players in the US, but it is less popular in Europe and Canada. Most players simply prefer the superior house edge of European roulette. Even so, you can find RNG and live dealer American roulette games on most online casinos.

To find the best American roulette games, we need to locate top Canadian online casinos. Just offering excellent games is not enough – the casino also needs to protect players and give them the best overall experience.

Of course, the first thing the casino needs to have is a good game variety. That means RNG and live dealer American roulette, but also other categories like slots, blackjack, and other roulette variants. We put fairness and RTP as top priorities. Players should know the games they play have certified random number generators (RNGs) that deliver fair outcomes and transparent RTP/house edge info.

Whether it is finding games, claiming bonuses, or making payments, top casinos make it easy. Our team checks for casinos with a slick user interface, seamless accessibility on desktop and mobile, and easy access to customer support.

An eye-catching welcome bonus or ongoing promo can boost your bankroll or game time. We check for the hottest deals for Canadian players but also dig deep into the T&Cs to ensure you get reasonable wagering requirements and few restrictions.

Perhaps the most important factor we review is security. All casinos we recommend are licensed by an internationally known regulator, such as Curacao or the Malta Gaming Authority. We also check for secure payments, SSL encryption, and full data privacy.

We have put our review process into action on dozens of online casinos for Canadian players. Below are the top American roulette casinos according to our strict rating system:

While American roulette is all about luck, some smart play goes a long way! Sprinkling a few practical strategies into your play will boost the excitement and help keep your budget in check.

• In roulette, you get different bets and different odds, so it is important to know the chance you have of winning for each wager option. And then, also learn the payouts for each so you can weigh the risk/reward for your bets.
• We will always drive home the importance of safe gambling. How much you can afford to use on roulette depends on your situation, but a golden rule is to only use disposable income. Chasing losses is not a good idea, so learn to walk away rather than lose your whole bankroll.
• Systems are fun and can bring structure to your gameplay, but they will not deliver wins. If you find a strategy that promises wins, avoid it because roulette is always a game of luck.
• Play free American roulette before you put your money on the line. Most top online casinos have demo versions of RNG roulette games, so you can test games and strategies before using your bankroll.