How to Build a Virtual Roulette Game with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Chris jr NwaijeChris jr Nwaije
4 min read

Hey there, fellow coders!
Ever found yourself stuck making a decision in a group? Or maybe you’re looking for a fun, interactive game for your next party? Say no more! Today, I’m going to walk you through building a Virtual Roulette Game using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. 🎉

By the end, I’ll share the full code on GitHub for you to explore and customize.

Here’s what we’re making:
A spinning roulette wheel where players enter their names, spin the wheel, and let the arrow decide the winner!

Step 1: Setting Up the HTML

We’ll start by creating the structure for our game.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>Virtual Roulette Game | Chriskript</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="style.css">
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Virtual Roulette</h1>
  <p>Virtual Roulette is an interactive game where players spin a virtual arrow on a roulette-style circle to determine the winner. Perfect for group games, parties, or decision-making. Simply enter players' names, spin the wheel, and let the arrow decide!</p>
  <div id="controls">
    <textarea id="player-names" rows="5" placeholder="Enter player names, one per line"></textarea>
    <br>
    <button id="start-btn">Start</button>
    <button id="reset-btn">Reset</button>
    <button id="mute-btn">Mute Sound</button>
    <div id="winner-announcement" aria-live="polite"></div>
  </div>
  <canvas id="gameCanvas"></canvas>
  <script src="app.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

What’s Happening?

  • The <textarea> allows users to input player names.

  • Buttons (Start, Reset, Mute Sound) provide controls for the game.

  • A <canvas> element serves as the roulette board where all the action happens.

Step 2: Adding Style with CSS

Next, we’ll style the game for a polished look.

body {
  font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
  text-align: center;
  background-color: #f8f9fa;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
}

h1 {
  font-size: 36px;
  margin-top: 20px;
  color: #28a745;
  text-shadow: 2px 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
}

p {
  font-size: 16px;
  padding: 10px 20px;
}

canvas {
  margin-top: 20px;
  background-color: #fff;
}

#controls {
  margin-top: 20px;
}
...

Key Elements:

  • Canvas Styling: Ensures the roulette board is clean and centered.

  • Button Hover Effects: Gives feedback when users interact with buttons.

  • Responsive Design: Adjusts styles for smaller screens to keep the UI user-friendly.

Step 3: The JavaScript Magic

Here’s where the fun begins! We’ll use JavaScript to:

  1. Draw the roulette circle and players’ sections.

  2. Spin the arrow.

  3. Handle user interactions.

Let’s break this into parts:

1. Setting Up the Canvas

const canvas = document.getElementById("gameCanvas");
const ctx = canvas.getContext("2d");

function resizeCanvas() {
  const size = Math.min(window.innerWidth * 0.8, 500);
  canvas.width = size;
  canvas.height = size;
}
resizeCanvas();
  • Dynamically adjusts the canvas size to fit any screen.

  • Uses canvas.getContext("2d") to enable 2D drawing.

2. Drawing the Circle

function drawGameCircle(players) {
  const radius = canvas.width / 2 - 10;
  const centerX = canvas.width / 2;
  const centerY = canvas.height / 2;
  const sliceAngle = (2 * Math.PI) / players.length;

  ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);

  players.forEach((player, index) => {
    const startAngle = index * sliceAngle;
    const endAngle = startAngle + sliceAngle;
    ...
  });
}
  • Divides the circle into sections, each representing a player.

  • Alternates colors for better visibility.

3. Spinning the Arrow

function spinArrow() {
  const duration = 4000; // Spin for 4 seconds
  const endAngle = Math.random() * 2 * Math.PI + 10 * Math.PI;

  function animate() {
    const elapsedTime = Date.now() - startTime;
    if (elapsedTime < duration) {
      arrowAngle = ((elapsedTime / duration) * endAngle) % (2 * Math.PI);
      drawGameCircle(players);
      requestAnimationFrame(animate);
    } else {
      isGameRunning = false;
    }
  }
  animate();
}
  • Uses requestAnimationFrame for smooth spinning.

  • Randomly calculates the arrow’s stopping point.

Step 4: Adding Final Touches

We’ll handle:

  • Starting and resetting the game.

  • Muting/unmuting the sound.

  • Displaying the winner.

Final Code on GitHub

The complete source code is available on my GitHub repository:
👉 Virtual Roulette Game on GitHub

Feel free to fork, star, or share it with friends!

And that’s it! You now have a fully functional Virtual Roulette Game. This project is a fantastic way to learn HTML canvas, CSS styling, and JavaScript animations. Play around with the code to make it your own—add themes, animations, or even sound effects.

What will you build next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Written by

Chris jr Nwaije
Chris jr Nwaije

Hi, I’m Chris, and my journey in tech has been quite the adventure. I started out as a designer and WordPress Developer, pouring my creativity into crafting beautiful and functional websites. But about two years ago, I felt this itch to challenge myself and step out of my comfort zone. That’s when I decided to dive deeper into the world of JavaScript, React, and Node.js. Let me tell you, it was like stepping into a whole new world—exciting and overwhelming all at once! Around that time, I also became curious about app development. Flutter caught my eye, and though I haven’t fully committed to it, I’ve been experimenting with it and Flutter Flow on the side. There’s something thrilling about exploring new tools and seeing how they fit into your workflow. Beyond coding, I wear a few other creative hats—I’m a graphics designer and a video editor. Admittedly, I mostly edit my own videos and help out my friends. But hey, those late-night editing sessions have taught me a lot about patience and the power of storytelling. As for hobbies? I’ve got a mix of them. Creating frontend components is definitely my happy place, but when I’m not in front of a screen, I’m probably annihilating my friends in FIFA or Mobile Legends (don’t hold it against me!). I’m also a huge fan of history, geography, and football. There’s just something fascinating about connecting the dots between the past, the present, and the places people call home. Sometimes, I wish I could always speak frankly, but the truth is, life’s a bit more nuanced than that. You learn to adapt, to balance honesty with empathy. It’s all part of growing, right? So, that’s me—a curious soul navigating the worlds of design, development, and everything in between. Let’s see where this journey takes us next!