Wheels and the house edge
| Wheel | Pockets | House edge |
| European | 37 (single zero) |
| French with la partage | 37 | about 1.35% on even-money bets |
| American | 38 (zero and double zero) | 5.26% |
A worked example: £500 of bets cost about £13.50 on average on a European wheel and about £26.30 on an American one.
CasinoRank's roulette record supplies these house-edge figures. A house edge describes the game's long-run mathematical advantage over the player, not the result of a particular spin. A short session can finish in either direction because individual outcomes vary.
European roulette places one zero on the wheel, while American roulette adds a double zero. That extra pocket changes the chance that a number wins without changing the payout shown for many bets. The edge therefore rises on the American wheel. Compare the table rules before choosing a game, and use our guide to choosing a casino game to weigh game rules against other preferences.
French roulette can reduce the cost of even-money bets when the table applies la partage. If zero lands, the rule returns half of a losing even-money stake rather than keeping the whole stake. The lower edge applies to those bets only. It does not make every roulette bet equally favourable, and it does not change the result of any one spin.
The roulette record lists a 97.3–97.5% return-to-player (RTP) range. RTP describes an average over many rounds, so it is not a promise for one visit or a target a player can reach by extending a session. Read a table's rules and game information to see which version and settings are in use.
New formats at new casinos
- Multiplier roulette, such as Lightning: random numbers get 50x to 500x, other straight-up wins pay less than 35:1.
- Auto and speed roulette: no dealer pauses, many more spins per hour.
- Double Ball: two balls per spin, with adjusted payouts.
- Mini roulette: fewer pockets and usually a higher edge.
A multiplier format changes the payout structure around selected numbers. The standard straight-up payout on the Lightning Roulette record is 29:1, 50x–500x on lucky numbers, while the lucky-number feature can apply a multiplier. The feature adds volatility because a larger advertised multiplier is rare by design, and other winning numbers use a lower payout.
Auto roulette removes the dealer's spoken pauses from the round, while live roulette places a human dealer and physical wheel on screen. Those formats change pace and presentation, not the basic need to check the wheel and table rules. Our guide to new roulette games explains how the rules differ between formats.
Live tables also differ by studio, limits and presentation. A studio page can help identify the games attached to a particular supplier, but the studio name alone does not tell you the table's edge or minimum stake. Check the rules on the individual table; the Evolution Gaming hub is a next step for players comparing live-game studios.
A faster round rate can use a session budget more quickly because more decisions happen in the same amount of time. Set a time and spending limit before play, then stop when either limit is reached. A faster interface does not improve the probability of a future result.
Roulette and bonuses
Roulette usually counts 10% or less towards bonus wagering, and some terms exclude it or ban covering both red and black. With UK wagering capped at 10x, a low weighting still matters: at 10% weighting, 10x on £50 means £5,000 of roulette bets.
A bonus's headline amount does not show how much roulette play contributes to clearing its wagering requirement. The promotion's terms set the eligible games, contribution rates, maximum stake and expiry window. Treat those conditions as separate checks because a restriction on one game can change the practical value of an offer.
Roulette terms can also restrict opposite bets on the same spin or define how a bonus balance is used. Read the conditions before depositing, and separate cash balance rules from bonus balance rules when both appear. Our guide to new casino terms and conditions explains how to read those clauses.
Do not assume that every casino applies the same weighting or permits the same betting pattern. The offer-specific terms are the evidence for that offer. If a rule is unclear, ask support for a written explanation before opting in, and keep a copy of the offer as it appeared when you accepted it.
MultiBanco Cashlib
+18
