
Want to learn how to play European Roulette? With its single‑zero wheel, clear table layout, and simple gameplay mechanics, you’ll grasp the basics in minutes, even if you’re new to the game.
You can play European Roulette games legally in the US for free at sweepstakes casino sites. With each spin of the roulette wheel, you’ll use virtual currencies such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins to play. The best sweepstakes sites for European Roulette include Real Prize, Stake.us, McLuck, MegaBonanza, and Jackpota. Keep reading to find out why.
European Roulette is the most widespread form of roulette you’ll find whether you’re playing at a land-based or online sweepstakes casino. The game is a wheel with 37 pockets, numbers 1 through 36 in alternating red and black, plus a single green zero. That pared‑down layout (no double zero) gives the house a 2.7% edge, so you’ll find slightly better odds on every spin than alternatives like American Roulette.
The European Roulette rules are simple: when you’re ready to play, you’ll place chips on different numbers or sections within the Roulette table. The dealer or the online game will then add a ball to the roulette wheel, sending it spinning around the wheel’s outer track. As the ball begins to slow, it will finally land on a specific section of the wheel. To win, you’ll need to have the ball land within the sections that you predicted at the beginning of the game.
Real money online casinos are heavily restricted in the United States, with only a few regions having legalized these sites. However, sweepstakes casinos operate under sweepstakes regulations, so they are legally available in almost every US state, letting you play European Roulette games for free. These sweepstakes sites use virtual currencies, such as Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, instead of real money.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how these different virtual currencies work:
Gold Coins can be obtained for free through various promotions or purchased directly from the sweepstakes casino. They are used to play games for entertainment purposes only and can’t be redeemed or exchanged.
Sweeps Coins must be obtained from promotions and cannot be purchased directly. They are used to play sweepstakes games, where any SC winnings generated can be used to redeem real prizes, including cash and gift cards. However, you’ll need to meet strict eligibility requirements before you can submit SC redemption requests.
As mentioned earlier, the European Roulette wheel features 37 pockets, offering a wide range of options to choose from. Below is a quick breakdown of the main selections, where to place your chips, and the potential returns:
| Selection | Description | Return |
| Numbers 1–36 | Chips on single or grouped numbers | 35:1 |
| Zero pocket | Chip on 0 as a single-number selection | 35:1 |
| Split | Chips straddling two numbers to cover both | 17:1 |
| Street | Chips on the outside line to cover three in a horizontal row | 11:1 |
| Corner | Chips at the corner to cover a block of four | 8:1 |
| Six-line | Chips on the edge to cover six numbers in two adjoining rows | 5:1 |
| Column | Chips in the box under a vertical column of twelve numbers | 2:1 |
| Dozen | Chips in one of the three dozen boxes (1st 12, 2nd 12, or 3rd 12) | 2:1 |
| Red / Black | Chips on all red or all black numbers | 1:1 |
| Odd / Even | Chips on odd or even numbers | 1:1 |
| (High / Low) | Chips on low (1–18) or high (19–36) number range | 1:1 |
The European Roulette odds are one of the reasons this game has become so popular. It offers an average RTP (Return to Player) of 97.3%, which is highly competitive when compared to most alternatives. For example, in the recent How to Play American Roulette guide, I revealed how this variant features a double 00. This double 00 increases the wheel to 38 pockets, dropping the RTP to just 94.74%.
Additionally, European Roulette gives you a 1-in-37 chance (2.70%) of the ball landing on any single number, and nearly 48.6% odds of hitting one of two colors, odd/even or high/low sections. By contrast, American Roulette has a single-number chance of 2.63% and a two-section chance of 47.4%. So, if there’s ever a question of European Roulette Vs American for odds, it’s clear to see who comes out on top.
Now that you’ve got the essentials from this European Roulette guide, you should feel confident jumping into your first game. The core idea is simple: choose your selections based on your risk tolerance and where you think the ball might land. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started when playing European Roulette at a sweepstakes casino:
Want to try your hand at free European Roulette games in the US? Then sweepstakes casino sites are your best option. Some of the most popular sites currently include Real Prize, Stake.us, McLuck, MegaBonanza, and Jackpota. Here’s why:
At McLuck Casino, I found a generous sign-up bonus of 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins. This bonus was applied immediately, so I could jump straight into the gaming fun, without delay. I found an impressive selection of European Roulette games, all of which were offered in a live dealer format.
These games are supplied by the likes of Playtech and ICONIC 21, plus Vivo Gaming has supplied one American Roulette game. When playing these games, you’ll also progress through the loyalty club, which can give you access to additional benefits and exclusive promotions.
You can kick things off at the Real Prize Casino with a free sign-up bonus of 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 free Sweeps Coins. The sweepstakes casino features a wide variety of virtual and live European Roulette games, so you’ll be spoilt for choice. But, if you feel like mixing things up, there’s also a collection of over 700 sweepstakes slots, ranging from Megaways to cascading reels, classic slots, jackpot games, and more. Plus, the sweepstakes casino offers 24/7 responsive support services and a mobile app for iOS users.
When registering at Stake.us with the exclusive promo code STFSOCIAL, I received a whopping 560,000 Gold Coins, 56 free Stake Cash, and a 5% rakeback on my losses. Additionally, I found that Stake.us offered the biggest collection of European Roulette games out of any of the sweepstakes casinos in this list. This collection includes an in-house version (Stake Originals), as well as a mixture of live dealer and virtual table game modes. You will even find a Live Roulette game that has been developed by Live88 exclusively for the Stake.us Casino.
MegaBonanza is another sweepstakes casino with exciting live dealer games. When I joined this site as a new user, I received a generous 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins to get me started. Additionally, during my time at the site, I found the Live European Roulette game by ICONIC 21 to be my favorite option. This game features a minimum spin of just 2.50 GC, up to a maximum of 20,000 GC, making it accessible to players with a range of playing styles. The sweepstakes casino also features various leaderboard tournaments and social media giveaways, giving you the chance to win more free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.
The sign-up bonus at Jackpota also includes 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 free Sweeps Coins. Plus, if you’ve got any friends who are interested in European Roulette or sweepstakes games, there’s a referral bonus of up to 200,000 Gold Coins and 100 free Sweeps Coins. There’s an impressive selection of both European and American Roulette at this sweepstakes casino, giving you the flexibility to mix and match between the two game modes. Plus, you’ll find a variety of alternative live dealer games, like blackjack, baccarat, and various game shows.
When you take the time to understand the European Roulette rules, this is an incredibly simple game to play. It also offers favorable odds over its American roulette counterpart and can be played legally at sweepstakes casinos across the United States. Some of the best sweepstakes casinos to join currently include McLuck, Real Prize, Stake.us, MegaBonanza, and Jackpota. You can use the promotional banners on this page to visit these sweepstakes casinos, create an account, and claim your free sign-up bonus.
The main difference is the number of pockets. European Roulette has 37 pockets (numbers 1–36 and a single zero), while American Roulette has 38 (with both a 0 and 00). That extra pocket in American Roulette increases the house edge, making European Roulette the more favorable option for most players.
There’s no guaranteed way to win since it’s a game of chance, but understanding the table layout, knowing the odds, and managing your chips wisely can help you play more strategically.
Technically, there is no defined ‘payout’ as sweepstakes casinos do not allow real money betting. Instead, you’ll play with Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, receiving win multipliers based on the risk profile of your selection. For example, a single number win will offer a virtual currency return of 35:1, while picking black or red returns at a rate of 1:1.
Both versions use the same 37-pocket wheel, but French Roulette includes extra rules like la partage and en prison. You can learn more about these rules in my How to Play French Roulette guide.
There are no European Roulette tricks to determine or influence where the ball lands. However, some players use systems like Martingale or Fibonacci to guide how they play. These methods can help manage your approach, but they don’t change the odds.