Online Betting
Live American Roulette Review – Strategies & Tips to Play at SA Casinos
Many of us are familiar with the game of roulette, but what you might not have realised is that there is more than one version. As well as the more popular French and European versions, American Roulette has a double zero, taking the number of pockets up to 38. In this American Roulette Guide, I will walk you through the wheel layout, rules, bet types, and more, including the best online betting sites to play at in South Africa.
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Live American Roulette Review
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What Is American Roulette?
American Roulette is almost identical to the roulette wheels that we know, but with one very important difference. As well as the 0, there is a 00. This takes the total number of pockets to 38, whereas European Roulette only has 37.
The extra number affects the Return to Player (RTP). European Roulette tends to offer an RTP of around 97.3%, the addition of 00 increases the house edge to about 5.26%, leaving players with an RTP of 94.74%. Inside and outside bets are the same, but the American version adds a unique Five Number Bet.
Top South African Casinos to Play American Roulette
With American Roulette not being as popular as its counterparts, not all online casinos carry it. I have played it at some great casinos, and here I will give you the lowdown on my recommended top South African live casinos.
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: UK, Malta, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, South Africa, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, France, USA
Betway has consistently proven itself as a trusted South African brand. It offers Evolution’s American Roulette as a live dealer game and the First-Person version.
I find that the video quality is very good, and even when I am playing with mobile data, I seldom experience lagging.
The betting range at Betway starts at R4, and high rollers will appreciate the R400,000 top-end limit.
When you take your place at the live dealer game, you can clearly see the chip values for betting, hot and cold numbers, and your betting history. You will also find a strong mix of live games, including roulette versions like European and Lightning Roulette.
The Betway app is polished and available for Android and iOS. Betway supports a lot of payment methods, including options like Ozow, Instant EFTs, debit and credit cards, SnapScan and OTT.
If you are interested in digital currency, there is a cryptocurrency option as well. Deposits are instant, and once I had FICA’d my account, withdrawals were processed quickly.
Pros
Cons
Ad. 18+. Full terms and conditions apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa, UK
Hollywoodbets hosts not only Evolution American Roulette, but also the Playtech version. They also come in best for newbies and casual players with bets as low as R2 for a spin of the wheel, while also offering high roller bets up to R400,000.
Playtech’s American Roulette has a clean interface and a polished studio, and Evolution offers more camera angles and statistics.
Banking is designed for South African players with instant EFT, card deposits, Zapper, vouchers, and bank transfers all available.
The FICA process is quick, and the customer service team are available if you have any questions. The betting app is very popular and includes an app for Huawei, which is often overlooked.
Hollywoodbets shines when it comes to promotions. While most bonuses favour sports, I often receive casino promotions in my inbox, which sometimes include cashbacks for the live casino. Overall, navigating my way through the site is easy, whether you are playing live American Roulette or the Evolution First Person version.
Pros
Cons
No deposit required, open an account and receive an R25 sign-up bonus and 50 Free Spins, within 24 hours of registration wager bonus amount once on sports bets with odds of 5/10 (0.5) or higher, Before withdrawal wager any winnings from Free Spins 5x on the same slots.
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
Easybet have built its live casino around Evolution, and as well as offering American Roulette and other table games, there are game shows like Crazy Coin Flip and Adventures Beyond Wonderland. The casino section is filled with more than 1,100 games like slots, crash games, scratchcards, and international lotteries. Easybet’s main draw is its well-balanced approach to sports betting, casino games and live dealer games. Betting limits for American Roulette are R4 – R200,000.
When you sign up, you get a no-deposit bonus of a R50 free bet and 50 free spins. Easybet also has a more traditional welcome bonus, which is a 150% first deposit match. To claim, deposit using one of the many South African payment methods, like vouchers and Apple Pay. Easybet is licensed in South Africa, and there are no currency conversion fees payable. The site also runs cashback and reload bonuses.
Pros
Cons
Ad. 18+. Full terms and conditions apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
YesPlay is one of the most user-friendly SA casinos for new players, with a quick registration process and quick FICA uploads. It features Evolution’s American Roulette, with limits ranging from R4 to R100,000.
The casino lobby is packed with roulette options, as well as other classic table games and modern game shows.
If you are looking for a welcome bonus with low wagering requirements, YesPlay gives new players up to R3,000, with an 8x wagering requirement.
It is also a good platform for players who want to play games like American Roulette for real money, but don’t want to share banking details.
They not only accept vouchers as deposit methods, but also issue retail vouchers as withdrawals, as well as ATM cashouts. This is alongside EFTs and card transactions.
Pros
Cons
#Ad• 18+• Accept bonus offer• make deposit > R20• 7x wagering•7 day limit• Full terms and conditions apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
With betting limits from R4 – R40,000, Pantherbet is another casino that hosts the Evolution version of American Roulette. Being the new kid on the block, it isn’t South Africa’s largest online casino, but it has impressed me with the games that it has on offer.
The live casino experience is surprisingly good: streams are stable, and the selection of games is impressive. American Roulette has a maximum bet of R40,000, a limit that high rollers might find a bit low.
The banking options include Ozow, instant EFT, 1 Voucher, OTT, and card deposits, and you can use your bank account for withdrawals. The registration and FICA process is fast, and the customer service team is very helpful.
I got 50 free spins for Gates if Olympus slot when I signed up, as well as a 100% bonus match when I made my first deposit.
Pros
Cons
Ad. 18+. Full terms and conditions apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
Evolution's American Roulette is available on Mzansibet, with typical limits of R4 to R40,000. The website and mobile interface are minimalist, so it's ideal for players who want fast loading and easy navigation.
Live casino menus are uncluttered, with clear connections to roulette. Players who want better RTP can also play European Roulette and some Auto Roulette tables at Mzansibet. On desktop and mobile, the streaming quality is great, and even mobile data connections are stable.
You can get up to R5,000 and 100 free spins as a welcome bonus. Besides Ozow, Instant EFT, card deposits, vouchers, and withdrawals via bank transfer, you can also pay with Ozow. After documents are approved, payout times are competitive once FICA verification is complete.
Pros
Cons
#ad · 18+ · New customers only · 100% match up to R2,000 · 100 bonus spins included · Spins on Gates of Olympus · Promo code required · Min deposit R10 · Must opt in for bonus · One bonus per customer · Games only at Mzansibet · General bonus terms apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: South Africa
Betshezi has live American Roulette with limits from R4 – R40,000, great for everyday players who enjoy consistent live casino sessions.
The live lobby loads quickly, and you can see hot and cold numbers and betting history when you are at the table.
The casino isn’t that big; there are 30 live dealer games, and about 100 slots, but they offer progressive jackpot slots, which can be hard to find at South African casinos.
The banking options include Ozow, EFT, OTT, 1Voucher, Zapper, and card payments, all made in South African Rands. Most of the bonuses are designed for sports betting, but there is a welcome bonus, and daily deposits can earn you free spins and bonus funds.
There is an app for Android users, but the mobile optimisation is good if you have an iOS or Huawei phone. If you are a sports bettor, you get a no deposit R25 free bet when you sign up.
Pros
Cons
#ad · 18+ · New customers only · Min deposit R50 · Max bonus R1,000 · 5x wagering on sports bets · Min odds 1.50 (1/2) · Bonus valid 30 days · One offer per customer · Betshezi rules apply · South Africa only · Full T&Cs apply
Rules & Gameplay of American Roulette
Rules & Gameplay of American Roulette
Getting the hang of American Roulette is easy once you understand how the double-zero layout works:
- Wheel layout: There are 38 pockets, or slots, on the American Roulette wheel. It is made up of numbers 1 through 36, plus 0 and 00. On the layout, there is a space for 00 added next to the 0 space.
- Bets: bets are divided into inside and outside bets. Inside bets are those placed on numbers, and outside bets are those on the side of the layout.
Type of Bet | Bets | Description | Odds |
Inside | Straight up | Bet on single number | 35:1 |
Inside | Spilt | Covers 2 adjacent numbers | 17:1 |
Inside | Street | A line of 3 adjacent numbers | 11:1 |
Inside | Corner | Bet on 4 connecting numbers | 8:1 |
Inside | Six Line | A bet on 2 adjacent rows of numbers | 5:1 |
Outside | Dozen | Bet on 12 numbers – 1-12, 13-24, or 25-36 | 2:1 |
Outside | Columns | Bet on all 12 numbers in a column | 2:1 |
Outside | Even Chance | Bet on red or black, odds or evens, or high or low numbers | 1:1 |
Outside | First Four | Bet on 0, 1, 2, and 3 | 8:1 |
Outside | Zero, 2, 3 | Bet on 0,2, and 3 | 11:1 |
- Special Bets: There are special American bets available, such as the Five Number Bet
There are special American bets available
- Betting: Players have an allocated time to place bets. The dealer will announce “no more bets” and spin the wheel and drop the ball. Different bets will have different limits.
In live versions of American Roulette, there is a real dealer who controls the betting and spins the wheel, which is captured by the cameras. In first person and RNG-based games, there is no dealer, and a Random Number Generator is used.
Side Bets & Special Bets
Side Bets & Special Bets
Since the emergence of online casinos, game developers have introduced new side and special bets to American Roulette, as well as keeping the standard bets.
- Five Number Bet (0, 00, 1, 2, 3): This is a traditional American Roulette bet, but it is not without controversy. It is similar to the First Four wager, but it also includes the 00. The house edge increases to around 7.9% and is considered poor value due to the probability (13.16%).
- Top Line/Basket Bet: Essentially, this is the same as the Five Number bet, just with a different name. It is the same bet, with the same probability and house edge.
- Call Bets/Racetrack Options: Call bets like Voisin’s and Tiers are popular in European and French Roulette and are seldom found in the American Format. The Racetrack is more common, and most Evolution games will have the oval version of the wheel displayed underneath the game history, when you tap the Neighbour Bets button.
- Multiplier Variants: Unlike variations like Lightning Roulette, standard American Roulette online tables don’t have multipliers.
RTP & House Edge
The American Roulette RTP is typically around 5.26%, which translates to a house edge of 94.74%. The reason the house edge is so high is the 00, which affects all wagers, even though the payout stays the same.
| Bet Type | Probability | Payout | Approx. RTP/House Edge |
| Straight (single number) | 2.63% | 35:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Split | 5.26% | 17:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Street | 7.89% | 11:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Corner | 10.53% | 8:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Five Number | 13.16% | 6:1 | 92.11%/7.89% |
| Six Line | 15.79% | 5:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Dozens/Columns | 31.58% | 2:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
| Even-Money (red/black etc.) | 5.26% | 1:1 | 94.74%/5.26% |
Strategy & Playing Tips
The bad news is that there is no strategy that is guaranteed to beat the house. However, smart play can help you manage the risk.
- Choose your roulette version: If you are looking for a more favourable house edge, French and Roulette are your best bet. The 2.7% house edge is better than 5.36%
- Avoid the Five Number Bet: The statistics show that it is the worst bet to place, and has the lowest RTP (92.11%), which doesn’t match the probability.
- Bankroll management: American Roulette is a game that can eat through your bankroll quickly, thanks to the quick rounds and potential high bets. As always, set your betting limits and time at a table. I recommend that if you are placing higher bets, you keep your sessions shorter.
- Bet selection: If you want lower variance, stick to even-money bets (red/black, even/odd), which have lower variance, even though the house edge is the same.
- Table selection: Choose reputable American Roulette tables, like those from game providers like Evolution, Playtech, and OnAir. Don’t be afraid to do your research first.
- Avoid betting systems: A Martingale, Labouchere, or similar betting systems won't eliminate negative returns - they'll smooth volatility until the bankroll limits kick in.
American Roulette vs European & French Roulette
Let’s summarise the differences between American Roulette, and European and French Roulette.
| Aspect | American Roulette | French/European Roulette |
| Zeros | 0 and 00, making 38 pockets | Single zero (37 pockets) |
| House Edge | 5.36% | European – 2.7%, French – 1.35% with La Partage |
| Bet Variety | Includes the Five Number bet. Number order on the wheel varies. | Standard roulette bets |
How to Play American Roulette for Real Money in South Africa
How to Play American Roulette
- 1
Find a South African casino that offers American Roulette, like the ones I recommended. To play American Roulette for real money, you'll have to sign up and verify your FICA.
Find a South African casino
- 2
Make sure you claim your welcome bonus after you deposit with a card, EFT, Ozow, or voucher, or any of the other payment methods offered.
Make sure you claim your welcome bonus
- 3
Click on American Roulette in the Live Casino lobby. You can search for it in the search bar or click on the game provider if you can't find it.
Click on American Roulette in the Live Casino lobby
- 4
You will need to place your Bet and any optional side bets before the dealer announces that bets are closed. Click on the chip size and tap Bet. Watch the wheel spinning and the ball land on your number.
How We Pick the Best American Roulette Casinos
To make sure you get an honest and transparent review of a casino before we recommend it, we have a list of things to check
- 1
Licensing & Safety: Casinos must be licensed in jurisdictions that accept SA players, and they have to be fair. We check the reputation of the casino and the customer service response.
- 2
Game Depth: Not only do we check for live roulette games with lots of variety, but also slots, instant games, and RNG-based table games.
- 3
Betting Limits: Betting limits should suit all budgets. We give you an idea of the limits that we found in our casino reviews.
- 4
ZAR Banking & Payout Speeds: Are the deposit methods suited to South Africans, and how long do withdrawals take to be processed?
- 5
Bonus Suitability: We look for bonuses that are specifically made for live roulette, or others that take live dealer games into account. We also check that the terms and conditions are fair.
- 6
User Experience: Streaming has to allow for the high-definition quality of live casinos. The site should be laid out so that it is easy to play games, make deposits, and find bonuses.
Promotions & Bonuses for American Roulette
South African casinos have a mixed bag of bonuses, with some preferring sports bonuses and others leaning towards casino promotions. Welcome bonuses, cashbacks, reloads, and live casino-focused bonuses are some that you can use to boost your funds when playing American Roulette. Here are a few things that you need to look for before claiming a bonus:
- Wagering Requirements: Look at not only what the wagering conditions are, but also whether live casino and roulette games count towards them.
- Betting limits: When you claim a bonus, you are often restricted in how much, or little, you can bet. Make sure you are aware of betting limits stated in the terms and conditions. All confirm if side bets are included.
- Time Limits: All bonuses will come with expiry times. As well as checking when the bonus expires, look for how long you have to meet the requirements.
SportsBoom Suggests
These are the best casinos for South Africans who want reliability, ZAR payments, and stable live streaming:
- Betway — best all-round American Roulette experience
- Hollywoodbets — Evolution and Playtech variety
- YesPlay — fast EFT/voucher banking and strong live-casino usability
If you are looking for added excitement from roulette games, give American Roulette a go. However, if you are looking for a lower house edge, stick to European Roulette.
Conclusion
American Roulette is a classic double-zero version known for its fast gameplay and exciting casino atmosphere. Although it has a much higher house edge (5.26%) than European or French roulette, it's still fun to play.
The biggest local operators offer high-quality live-streaming tables, convenient ZAR deposits, and mobile-friendly interfaces. Always verify table rules, avoid poor-value bets such as the five-number wager, and choose licensed casinos with clear FICA processes. Last but not least, good luck.
FAQs
The double-zero layout increases the number of losing outcomes without adjusting payouts accordingly, reducing overall RTP. European Roulette’s single-zero wheel is mathematically more favourable.
The five-number bet covers 0, 00, 1, 2, 3. It has the highest house edge of any roulette wager and should generally be avoided by beginners and experienced players alike
Many SA operators offer ZAR deposits via Ozow, Instant EFT, vouchers, cards, and other local methods. Players must complete FICA verification before withdrawing.
No betting system can outwit American Roulette’s house edge. Instead, focus on controlling your bankroll and picking the right tables.
It is legal to play, but to ensure that you get all the rights that you deserve as a player, make sure that your casino of choice is licensed. Our casino review will guide you through the security measures that operators take.
As a sports writer, Jo Davies has done it all, from the Springbok Sevens to the Indian Premier League cricket, karting, and snooker, and is known for her detailed reviews and in-depth features of the games she covers. Away from the keyboard, Jo volunteers trackside as an MSA scrutineer for motorsports and unwinds at home with her dogs, cats, and tortoise or outside in nature, usually with a good book.
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