The 2000s were a crucial decade for the iGaming industry, as a new wave of digitalization struck the entire world. People were getting used to using the internet, which gave developers a chance to bring all the games you can imagine into the comfort of your own home.

Initially, most new variants were debuted in land-based casinos, with online versions being released only if the game is feasible on the casino floor.

As our collective computing power grew, we saw developers experimenting with the synthesis of virtuality and reality, all in order to create a unique experience of playing live dealer roulette.

That’s how Lightning Roulette came to be. The best way to describe this variant by Evolution Gaming would be to call it an embodiment of the gaming industry’s neverending urge to grow and improve.

Even though roulette is beloved because of the abundance of inside and outside bets involved, there was always a need for a way to reward players in a more random way.

The problem with most roulette variants is that you already know you can impact the outcome by opting for a certain strategy or type of coverage. With Lightning Roulette, Evolution Gaming turned heads because of a unique combination of live casino gaming and RNG technology.

While players and the dealer influence the game to a high extent, everyone at the table gets a chance to win big when lightning strikes 1-5 random numbers. If you’re the lucky guy or gal who selected said number, you can multiply your wager between 50x and 500x.

Due to this extra chance to break the bank, Lightning Roulette became an instant hit upon its launch in early 2018. Not only were fans delighted by the unique fusion of RNG tech and live dealer gaming, but experts also took notice of Evolution’s groundbreaking efforts.

As such, Lightning Roulette was named the Product Innovation of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards in 2018, as well as winning the same award at G2E Las Vegas. It also won EGR’s Game of the Year award, which was more than enough to prompt us to review Lightning Roulette in a comprehensive manner.

It’s impossible to give a simple answer and present a single quality that can be used to identify quality, reputable casinos. 15 years ago, this might have been possible, but our technology has become so advanced that there is now a plethora of factors that determine the echelon in which a site is to be placed. Things get even trickier when talking about Lightning Roulette and brands that have obtained a license to offer it to players.

Of course, there are basic things such as licensing. Being overseen by a regulatory body is a must for every casino, as such organizations not only monitor the endeavors of the operator but are also able to jump in and solve any disputes. This means that a valid license is the best form of protection you can have in case something happens. Additionally, every good Lightning Roulette site should offer only reputable payment platforms, just as a means of preventing any cyber attacks.

Then, there are things such as website speed, UI quality, customer support, and so on. As you might’ve been able to see, every casino is a unique combination of various factors, outcomes, and perks. To get to the bottom of this question, we decided to test every casino that offers Lightning Roulette. We cross-referenced each brand with the rest, just to see what are the main qualities you should be looking for. In the end, we concluded that the four following elements are the essence of every great Lightning Roulette site:

If you asked a certain number of online casino enthusiasts about which game represents the niche the most, an intense debate would certainly be a realistic outcome. One group will always say that blackjack is the best and most representative casino game, basing their arguments upon the game’s simplicity and long history. From a certain perspective, they have a point. Anyone can play a hand or two, at any possible location, so their insistence is not completely unfounded.

However, being able to play at any given time or place can also have a negative effect on a game’s popularity. It becomes commonplace and not many people are willing to indulge in a form of gaming that they can see and experience on a daily basis. There is an enticing feeling to a game that’s exclusive and that’s precisely why we believe that roulette is the personification of live casino gaming.

Exclusive, mystical, and somewhat perplexing, the color wheel is still an integral part of gaming as a whole. Devised in 18th century France, roulette was initially a pastime of the rich and powerful. Because it was so fun to play, the game quickly spread across Europe and the world, becoming more accessible with each passing year.

It took on many forms, but most versions feature numbers from 0 to 36, with some wheels adding 00 as an additional way to increase the house edge. Despite the fact that more than 200 years had passed since the roulette wheel became an infatuation of millions, there is still a feeling of noticeable mystique surrounding it. The fact that the sum of all the numbers is 666 further promotes the game’s unorthodox image.

But despite the unwavering popularity of roulette, it became apparent that people need something new if they were to continue playing. As mystique stopped being the main selling point, new variants of roulette started being created.

If you’ve never played Lightning Roulette, you needn’t be concerned about the steepness of the learning curve. Unlike many other roulette variants, this Evolution title is easy to learn, as it wasn’t heavily modified by the developers. Instead of adding a multitude of new rules, the game’s creators instead focused on improving its visual experience.

Black and gold hues fill the studio, allowing you to feel like someone transported you into the Great Gatsby. The dealers are always affable and are willing to chat on a variety of topics. Creating comfort seems to be a priority for Evolution gaming, as all of their titles are characterized by this quality. Out of all the live dealer games we reviewed, this one definitely has the best studio. We observed spins at different times and we weren’t able to hear any instances of audio interference, which is a flaw that has plagued NetEnt for a number of years now.

As for what’s under the hood, Lightning Roulette is a combination of real-time roulette wheel spinning and RNG technology, which is to thank for the lucky number selection system.

While the dealer affects the outcome with their kinetic energy when they spin the wheel and throw the ball, computer algorithms are the sole determinator when it comes to high-paying numbers. Think of Lightning Roulette as Live Roulette on steroids, with added chances to win and a slight visual makeover.

Despite other innovations being missing, this game is masterfully executed, smooth, and entirely devoid of bugs and malfunctions. Other developers should definitely take notice of Evolution’s efforts if they haven’t already.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many Lightning Roulette-specific bonuses that you can check out. They were abundant during the game’s initial rollout in 2018, but Canadian sites have generally stopped promoting the game so heavily. Nevertheless, we still believe that every player should have a bonus or two at their disposal. 

Not only will you win more, but you’ll also be able to mitigate any losses at the beginning of your Lightning Roulette ‘career.’ Our recommendation would be to find a live casino specific bonus and use it as a means of supporting your Lightning Roulette efforts. Don’t forget to find out what’s the bonus contribution, as well as details involving terms and conditions.

As impressive live dealer games are, all the commotion can get a little tiring, to be honest. If you’re not in the mood for chatting with the dealer or other players, there’s also a first-person version of Lightning Roulette. Also developed by Evolution, it’s entirely run by an RNG program. 

The main difference between the live dealer version and the first-person one is that all outcomes are determined by a computer. Just like its live variant, this form of Lightning Roulette is aesthetically superb and it takes no prisoners when it comes to flaunting its impressive animations. You can expect pretty much the same things, with just a pinch of solitude added to the mix.

If you’re looking to switch things up, the best possible option would be Playtech’s Quantum Roulette. It functions on many of the principles that make Lightning Roulette so popular, with the multiplication process being the most apparent.

Just like in Evolution’s game, an RNG selects 1-5 numbers that will multiply your bets if your selected them straight-up and not as a wheel section-specific bet.

However, there are also key differences. Lightning Roulette pays 30:1 for each number that you guess straight up, while Quantum Roulette is more generous at 35:1. There are also instances where you multiplier might receive its own multipliers, one or more times.

Overall, the software might not be as refined as the one in Lightning Roulette, but Playtech’s take on RNG roulette resulted in a game that’s much more dynamic and logical than your average variant.