European vs American roulette

European vs American roulette: the one difference that matters

Both games use the numbers 1 to 36, half red and half black, plus green zero pockets where every outside bet loses. European roulette has a single green 0. American roulette adds a second green pocket, 00. Every payout on the table stays exactly the same: 35 to 1 for a single number, 1 to 1 for red or black. Because the casino pays the same for a harder-to-hit result, the American game costs more to play.

That’s the whole story in money terms. Other differences, such as the order of numbers around the wheel or the layout of the betting cloth, change how the game looks but not how much it costs. If you’re new to the game, our guides to European roulette and American roulette cover the rules of each in full, and the online roulette hub lists every variant.

Wheel, table and bets compared

European tables often show a racetrack with ‘call bets’ that cover sections of the wheel, such as voisins du zéro. These are just groups of ordinary chips placed together and carry the same 2.70% edge.

Why the house edge is 2.70% vs 5.26%

The edge comes from the gap between true odds and the payout. Take a £1 straight-up bet on one number.

• European wheel: you win £35 once in 37 spins on average and lose £1 on the other 36. Net result over 37 spins: £35 − £36 = −£1. That’s −£1 ÷ £37 staked = 2.70%.
• American wheel: you win £35 once in 38 spins and lose £1 on the other 37. Net result over 38 spins: £35 − £37 = −£2. That’s −£2 ÷ £38 staked = 5.26%.

The same calculation gives the same edge for red or black, dozens, columns, corners and every other standard bet on that wheel. Choosing a different bet doesn’t change the cost; choosing a different wheel does. Standard references such as Wizard of Odds’ roulette guide (opens in a new tab) give the same figures. For a deeper look at how edges are worked out, see roulette odds and our house edge guide.

Odds and payouts for every bet on both wheels

Each line’s chance drops slightly on the American wheel while the payout stays put, which is exactly where the extra edge comes from. Our roulette bets guide explains how to place each one, and the glossary covers inside bets and outside bets.

What the extra zero costs: worked pound examples

The percentages look close on paper. In pounds they aren’t.

Put another way, the American wheel takes on average about £1.95 for every £1 the European wheel takes from the same play. Over a single evening the luck of the spins swamps these figures; over months of play the averages decide where your bankroll ends up. Our casino bankroll basics guide shows how to size bets for a budget.

The five-number bet: American roulette’s costliest wager

Only the American layout has a bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 together, sometimes called the top line or basket. It pays 6 to 1. Five numbers out of 38 means you win 5 times in 38 spins on average. With £1 a spin over 38 spins: 5 × £6 = £30 won, 33 × £1 = £33 lost, so you’re down £3 for every £38 staked. That’s a 7.89% edge, worse than any standard bet on either wheel.

French roulette and la partage: a cheaper third option

French roulette uses the single-zero European wheel, sometimes with an extra rule on even-money bets. Under la partage, if the ball lands on zero you get half of your red, black, odd, even, high or low stake back. Under en prison, the stake is held for the next spin instead. Either rule halves the edge on even-money bets to 1.35%. Inside bets stay at 2.70%.

Example: £10 on red, 100 spins. Average cost on a European wheel is £27; with la partage it falls to £13.50. If you mostly play even-money bets, find a table offering this rule; our French roulette guide explains where it appears and how it is labelled.

European and American roulette at UK online casinos

Single-zero tables are the standard at UK casinos, both as RNG games and live dealer tables, and many lobbies also carry an American version. Popular single-zero variants include Lightning Roulette, auto roulette and immersive camera tables. Variants with multipliers change the straight-up payout to fund the bonus numbers, so check each game’s help screen for its RTP.

Since 17 January 2025, UK RNG roulette must take at least 5 seconds per game cycle and can’t offer autoplay, as set out in the Commission’s speed of play decision (opens in a new tab). The £5 and £2 online stake limits apply only to slots, so a roulette table’s own minimum and maximum set the range. The underlying requirements sit in the Commission’s remote gambling and software technical standards (opens in a new tab).

Betting systems on either wheel: the Martingale test

Doubling after each loss, the Martingale system, works the same badly on both wheels. Starting at £5 on red, eight losses in a row means you’ve staked £5, £10, £20, £40, £80, £160, £320 and £640, a total of £1,275, to chase a £5 profit. Many tables will block the next doubling with their maximum bet anyway.

The system wins small amounts often and loses large amounts occasionally, and the house edge is unchanged throughout. Our Martingale system page and betting systems explained go through the numbers.

How to tell which roulette wheel you’re playing

1. Look at the top of the betting layout: one green 0 means European; 0 and 00 side by side means American.
2. Open the game’s help or info screen and find the RTP: 97.30% for single zero, 94.74% for double zero on standard bets.
3. Check for a la partage or en prison note if you play even-money bets.
4. On multiplier variants, read the straight-up payout; it may be lower than 35 to 1.
5. Confirm the table limits suit your budget before your first spin.

European or American roulette: verdict by player type

There is no situation where the American wheel gives you better value on standard bets. Its appeal is the look and feel of the game, not the maths. Browse other head-to-heads on the comparisons hub, including roulette vs blackjack.

Where to play European roulette in the UK

All of our partner casinos carry roulette as part of their table and live casino sections; game lineups change, so check each lobby for single-zero and French-rule tables. Coral’s app listing mentions blackjack, roulette and live casino. Before using any bonus on roulette, read our roulette bonus page, because table games often count less towards wagering.

Casumo’s welcome offer is a 50% bonus up to £100 on a first deposit of £20 or more for new customers aged 18+ who opt in. The bonus must be wagered 10x within 7 days, bets are capped at £5 while it’s active, and game, play and payment restrictions apply. Coral’s offer gives new players 100 free spins at 10p each on selected slots after a deposit (certain payment types excluded) and a £10 slots bet, with no wagering on spin winnings; spins must be accepted within 48 hours and used within 7 days. Terms apply, and roulette’s house edge means losses are likely over time.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set deposit limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.