Live dealer roulette NZ – how to play online and win real money
Live dealer roulette is the go-to, real money casino game for many. It combines the thrills of a land based casino with the convenience of online gambling, making it a very popular game with Kiwi players.
This guide explains the rules of the game, pointing you towards some of the variants with the best payouts. We also show you where to play the best live roulette online for free, and some tips on how to win.
Let’s start you right off with our experts’ list of the top live roulette in New Zealand.
Best live roulette online casinos in September 2024
The best live roulette game variants – trending titles
There are many live online casino roulette variants to experiment with, most of them following the same basic rules while adding some extra betting options or even a different roulette wheel format.
The house edge also varies according to which live roulette games you choose, and some bets will have a much higher payout than others.
Our recommended live roulette online casinos offer a good choice to accommodate different gambling styles and a wide range of budgets. JackpotCity, for example, offers classics like American and European, but also spices things up with variants like Speed Roulette and Live Private Roulette, offering one of the best live roulette experiences in NZ.
Let’s take a look at live dealer roulette games that are currently trending with Kiwi players.
Speed Roulette
It’s all in the name, as this variant allows you to play live roulette faster than ever before with shorter betting times and an overall adrenalin-filled experience. While the basic rules are similar to the classic version, this live online roulette type is probably best suited to players who are already familiar with real-money roulette and won’t mind the added pressure. This is one of many variants offered at JackpotCity casino.
Double Ball Roulette
This live dealer roulette table is perfect for those who want to risk less and who want to keep control over their bankroll. There are two balls at play on the roulette wheel, with a potential for more frequent wins. To compensate, the payouts are reduced, leading to a low volatility game. Try it at TonyBet casino.
American Roulette
If you like an added dose of risk, this variant comes with an extra double 00 green pocket on the wheel. This means a higher house edge of 5.26%, which is why only experienced players tend to go for it. You’ll find it at the vast majority of our recommended live roulette online casinos, including Mirax casino.
French Roulette
Just like the European classic but with two additional rules, En Prison and La Partage. More importantly, this is the version that delivers the highest Return to Player (RTP) so it’s well worth becoming familiar with a couple of extra rules for the potential payout. Wildz offer an excellent French Roulette Gold version.
European Roulette
It’s an evergreen classic, and any live roulette best casino site, such as Greatwin, will offer this variant. Here you’re playing live dealer roulette at its purest, with pocket numbers 1 to 36 in black and red with one zero pocket. This house edge of 2.6% is the cherry on the cake.
Lightning Roulette
Made famous by Evolution Gaming, this adds an extra layer of excitement with five lucky numbers. When lightning strikes the roulette wheel, the payouts increase by anything between 50x and 500x. Other than that, the rules and layout are exactly the same as when playing other live dealer roulette tables. You can experience this variant at Spin casino as recommended by our experts.
Immersive Roulette
We have Evolution Gaming to thank for this one. Sure, all the best live roulette online delivers an immersive experience, but this variant goes several steps further with more camera angles, extreme close ups of the dealer and wheel and slow motion replays. Our experts recommend that you try this one out at Rizk Casino.
Features of top live roulette casinos in New Zealand
When deciding which are the best live roulette sites for you, it’s good to know what features to expect from the top operators. Here, we’ve compiled a table of the most important elements you should look out for when playing live roulette in New Zealand.
?? No. of live roulette variants | 4+ |
?? Popular titles | Lightning Roulette, Speed Roulette, Immersive Roulette |
?? Live roulette casino bonuses | Deposit bonus, reload bonus, cashback bonus, tournaments |
?? Live roulette apps | Android & iOS |
?? Software providers | 2+ |
?? Top NZ dealer roulette site | Jackpot City Casino |
How we rate the best real money live roulette casinos
When rating the best live roulette casinos, our experts follow a consistent process that takes into account a set of objective criteria. These criteria every aspect of live roulette online casinos that will affect your the gambling experience. Next up, we go into some more detail about how we use them to rank a live roulette best casino.
Range & quality of live roulette tables
We want our top recommended sites to offer a good range of online live roulette games, covering all the most popular game types.
Sites like Rabona casino offer a selection of the best live roulette casino games that reaches close to 80 live dealer roulette tables. This includes specialist variants like Nexus Roulette from On Air Entertainment.
Beyond the quantity, we also look for a reasonable range of buy-ins that cater to different bank rolls. This is why Rizk casino scores high on our list of best live roulette sites, offering Instant Roulette tables with NZ$0.10 buy-ins and VIP tables going up to NZ$10,000.
Live software providers
If a site wants to earn our experts’ live roulette best casino vote it needs to include the most renowned roulette software providers. Names like Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play Live, Microgaming and On Air Entertainment score extra points as they are responsible for highly-popular live dealer casino games.
We expect to see at least two software providers present, the more the better. Casumo, for example, offers live dealer roulette by Evolution and Pragmatic Play, which is why it scores better in this regard than Spinz casino, which only has Evolution titles. TonyBet adds Ezugi, Absolute Live Gaming and Atmosfera, making it a top-rated live roulette site.
Live roulette casino bonuses & tournaments
When scoring the best live roulette online bonus, our experts take note of the terms and conditions attached to the sign-up offer.
Many sites don’t allow live dealer games to contribute to wagering requirements. Wildz, however, attaches a 50% contribution to all live casino games, including roulette. For this reason, it scores higher than, say, Merkur casino where live tables only contribute 5%.
Live casino bonuses and tournaments aren’t very common yet, but Quickwin offers up to 20% weekly cashback on all live tables.
Live roulette apps
The best live dealer roulette casinos like Casumo offer apps compatible across all devices, whether Android or iOS. Where does that leave other sites like Merkur, which have no dedicated casino app?
This doesn’t necessarily mean that they are scored negatively by our experts as sites nowadays are designed to be fully-responsive on any device thanks to HTML5 coding. As long as the in-browser experience is seamless and includes live roulette games, we will give a good recommendation.
Safety & game fairness
It can’t be the best live roulette online unless we’re satisfied with the level of safety and game fairness, right? We only recommend sites with a solid gaming license by a reputable regulator like the Malta Gaming Authority.
Other aspects that affect our scoring include independent game auditing by an organisation like eCOGRA. Sites that subscribe to this process usually show the linked logo on their landing page, like JackpotCity.
Finally, we make sure that the platform is technically solid with SSL encryption, so that your personal and financial data will not be at risk.
Live game lobby experience
Players who enjoy live dealer roulette games typically enjoy the whole live casino experience, so a well-equipped and user-friendly live games lobby is a must.
Wildz, for instance, has 120 live games that include classics like baccarat and blackjack, besides popular game shows and live versions of popular slots, like Snakes & Ladders live.
Quickwin is another high-scorer, with a dedicated live games lobby.
Overall live casino rating
The best live dealer roulette sites offer an excellent level of service across the board. They will have a great progressive jackpots selection, for example, like Spinz’s 120+ titles.
We also expect to find the most popular NZ casino payment options, preferably including crypto, like you’ll find at Mirax. Efficient customer support also plays a strong role, which is why we love Casumo’s super fast live chat replies.
Live roulette casino bonuses to claim now
The best live roulette in New Zealand is to be found at sites with roulette-specific bonuses. While the vast majority of promotions are usually only eligible for slots, some of our recommended sites run offers that can be used on live dealer roulette games, especially for existing players.
Let’s take a look at the basic types of casino bonuses you’re like to find at NZ live roulette sites.
Live roulette welcome bonus
We prefer to see first deposit bonuses that are specifically created for live casino. These are quite rare, as most operators will only offer the cash bonus on slots games. However, we can recommend Winawin’s live dealer promotion for new players.
If your chosen live roulette site doesn’t offer a dedicated bonus, take note of the game weighting to meet the wagering requirements. Some sites, like Wildz, offer excellent weighting of 50% on all live games.
Live cashback bonus
Some sites offer players the chance to recoup a portion of their losses when playing on live dealer tables. Big spenders can earn back as much as 20% of their lost wagers. This is the case at Winawin, which offers a weekly cashback on live roulette games.
Live roulette tournaments
Live roulette software providers can host live tournaments with cash prizes that reach the thousands of NZ$. Pragmatic Play Live are renowned for this, and you’ll find them at Casumo and TonyBet.
Popular software for live casino roulette
We’ve already spoken about the importance of casino software providers. Renowned names guarantee the most high-quality streaming from dedicated studios that are equipped with the latest technology and professional dealers. The below three software providers are our experts’ tried and tested favourites.
Ezugi
With different languages, 24/7 accessibility and a large variety of betting options, this is another popular choice with players looking for the best live roulette games. Auto Roulette, Diamond Roulette and Speed Roulette are three of their fan-favourites, but there are all the classic variants and some thrilling high-stakes tables available, too.
Live vs RNG roulette online – which should you play?
If you’re not yet familiar with the world of online live casinos, you may feel safer sticking to RNG roulette rather than the live version. Here are the pros and cons for each.
| Live dealer roulette | Highly professional dealers | Very realistic live streaming | Can be social thanks to chat function | Dealer decides when bets close | You can’t try free demos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular casino roulette | You decide when to spin the wheel | You can try free demo versions first | The pressure of real time gaming is removed | Lacks the human element | Same angle can make gameplay repetitive |
| Live dealer roulette | Regular casino roulette |
|---|---|
| Highly professional dealers | You decide when to spin the wheel |
| Very realistic live streaming | You can try free demo versions first |
| Can be social thanks to chat function | The pressure of real time gaming is removed |
| Dealer decides when bets close | Lacks the human element |
| You can’t try free demos | Same angle can make gameplay repetitive |
Play for free now
If you’re not sure whether you’d like to try real money live dealer roulette, some free practice may offer the right incentive. Most of our recommended casinos offer RNG roulette games in demo version, which means that you can spin the wheel without having to spend anything.
The one downside here is that the best live roulette doesn’t come as a free casino game. This is because the casino won’t be able to use real life dealers if there are no actual wagers involved. What you’d be trying is regular roulette, where the outcome is determined via a Random Number Generator (RNG) and there’s only one pre-recorded camera shot.
That said, you can have a go at our recommended free roulette games below.
Live roulette for beginners – how to play
The good news is that learning how to play roulette live couldn’t be any easier. All you need to do is muster the basics, pick a pocket and a number and hope that good fortune smiles upon you.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to start playing live roulette in New Zealand.
- 1
Choose your live roulette table
Make sure the buy-in suits your budget. You’ll find bets starting at NZ$0.10 at many of our recommended casinos.
- 2
Lay down your bet
You’ll need to decide on the chip size and the type of bet you’re putting down. Speciality variants like Mega Roulette or Lightning Roulette offer more betting options than the classic types.
- 3
The dealer closes the table
Once all the bets are in and the dealer decides time’s up, they will stop all bets and start spinning the wheel.
- 4
The wheel stops moving
The most important part, as the dealer checks where the ball has landed.
- 5
The winner or winners are revealed
If you guessed the pocket and colour where the ball will land, you’ve scored a win.
- 6
The next round is called
The dealer opens the table for a fresh round of bets.
The type of bets you put down and the variant you’re playing dictate the odds of the game. Inside bets come with less advantageous odds, but can yield better payouts. Outside bets offer players better odds but slimmer wins.
Roulette payout percentages also depend on which game type you’re playing. French roulette has the lowest house edge at 1.35%, with European coming a close second at 2.7%. You’ll find more detailed information about roulette odds and payouts on our dedicated page.
How to win at live dealer roulette online
Winning at live dealer roulette is really a matter of luck. At its core, this is a game of chance, so you’ll never be able to plan for a guaranteed win. That said, it never hurts to follow a good strategies when playing at live roulette online casinos. Here’s our experts’ pick of roulette tips.
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Make sure you know how the roulette table works
You’ll find 37 or 38 pockets and you need to guess which pocket the ball will come to rest. You can bet on colour (black, red or green), on odds or evens and even on specific numbers.
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Try RNG roulette to get some practice in
While there aren’t many rules to learn, do try out the game without the pressure of the live environment.
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Become familiar with a few basic bets
Knowing the workings of the most common bets will give you a better shot at winning.
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Decide how long you want to play for
If you’re after high thrills for a short period of time, you can afford to take a risk with high volatility variants. But if you’re planning for a good span of time, opt for low-stakes variants and focus on simple outside bets.
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Don’t spend more than you can afford
Make sure your roulette strategy is based on logic, rather than emotion and that you don’t end up chasing losses.
Should you play live roulette online?
Still unsure about whether live roulette online is the game for you? Check out the list of pros and cons that has been compiled by our experts.
Pros
- Being a game of chance, there are very few rules to learn with live dealer roulette. At its most basic you just choose a pocket and a colour.
- There are so many variants that it’s impossible to get bored, with many of the newer titles incorporating in-game bonuses and features.
- Players who enjoy a bit of a challenge can experiment with endless betting options to give their game an edge.
- Our list of live roulette online casinos includes minimum stakes of NZ$0.10 to make it accessible to the lowest budgets.
- The classic European Roulette has an extremely low house edge of 2.7%, while French Roulette is even lower at 1.35%.
- There are many online roulette strategies to point you in the right direction if you want to add more structure to your gameplay.
Cons
- Because this is a game of luck, you can never strategise towards a sure win.
- Some of the different bet types, such as La Partage and En Prison, can be difficult to muster.
Play these live casino games instead
Live dealer roulette FAQs
Can I play live roulette online?
Yes, you can play live roulette online at one of our recommended casinos. Our experts recommend %currentPartner%, but you’ll find plenty of other options to choose from. The sites mentioned on this guide have all been vetted by our team so as to ensure a positive gambling experience in a safe and secure environment.
What is live dealer roulette?
Live dealer roulette is an online casino game that combines the convenience of playing from wherever you like with the interactive experience of a real casino. Each round is dealt by a human dealer operating from a studio or land-based casino, while players participate remotely through a live video stream.
How do you play live dealer roulette?
Simply log in to one of the best live online roulette sites recommended on this guide and navigate to the live casino section. From here, you’ll be able to choose your favourite roulette type. Find a table that is open for bets and click ‘join’. Put down your wager before the dealer closes the bets and wait for the wheel to spin. Follow our step by step guide from earlier for more details.
Is live online roulette fixed?
No, live online roulette games at licensed casinos are 100% legit as they are run by professional dealers in the same way that the game is run at a land based casino. Moreover, when you’re playing at a licensed live online roulette site you’re assured that the games are subject to regular auditing by the gambling regulator.
Is live roulette better than the RNG version?
This depends on your style of gameplay. Live roulette is better than the RNG version for players who enjoy a more social element to their gambling. The game gives you the opportunity to chat to the dealer and even to other players, while offering a very realistic casino experience. RNG roulette is preferred by those who prefer to spin the wheel in their own time and who don’t really look for a social element. Check out the pros and cons of each from earlier.
Written by Ramona Depares
Ramona Depares is an award-winning journalist focused on cultural and entertainment related content. Based in the Mediterranean gaming hub of Malta, she has taken a deep interest in gambling related news since the earliest days and has seen the global landscape evolve. Ramona specialises in the legal and regulatory aspects of gaming across multiple jurisdictions, with specific interest in NZ and US markets. She is also a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction books.