Online Roulette: European vs American — Which Gives Better Value in 2025?

Choosing between European and American roulette is not just a matter of preference — it directly affects your long-term costs as a player. The two versions look similar at first glance, but one key difference in the wheel layout changes the mathematical return in a way that adds up over time. In 2025, both variants are widely available at online casinos, including live dealer tables, so understanding the numbers helps you make smarter choices before you place a single bet.

How the Wheel Layout Changes Your Odds

The biggest difference between European and American roulette is the number of pockets on the wheel. European roulette uses 37 pockets: numbers 1–36 plus a single zero (0). American roulette uses 38 pockets: numbers 1–36 plus two green pockets, 0 and 00. That extra 00 might look harmless, but it reduces your probability of winning on most bets.

To see why, consider a simple even-money bet such as Red/Black. In European roulette, you have 18 winning outcomes out of 37 pockets. In American roulette, you still have only 18 winning outcomes, but now out of 38 pockets. The payout is the same, but the chance of success is lower — meaning the casino advantage is higher.

This layout difference affects every standard bet on the table (straight-up numbers, splits, dozens, columns, and even-money bets). The payouts do not adjust to compensate for the extra pocket, so the added 00 shifts the expected value in favour of the house across the board.

House Edge in Numbers: European vs American

European roulette has a house edge of 2.70% on most standard bets. That figure comes from the single zero being the only built-in advantage for the casino. Over a large number of spins, the expected return to player (RTP) is about 97.30% — though individual sessions can vary widely because of volatility.

American roulette increases the house edge to 5.26% because the wheel has two green pockets instead of one. The RTP drops to about 94.74%. In practical terms, this means that for the same stake size and the same betting style, American roulette is roughly twice as expensive over time in expected losses.

Here is a simple example. If you stake £10 per spin for 100 spins, you wager £1,000 total. With European roulette, the statistical expected loss is about £27. With American roulette, it is about £52.60. No strategy can remove this built-in disadvantage — it is part of the game’s design.

Bet Types and Why the Difference Matters More Than People Think

Roulette betting options are usually identical in European and American versions: inside bets (like straight-up, split, street, corner) and outside bets (like Red/Black, Odd/Even, 1–18/19–36, dozens, columns). Many players assume the difference in wheel layout only matters for risky bets, but it affects everything, including “safer” outside bets.

Even-money bets feel reliable because they win frequently, but their payouts remain 1:1 regardless of wheel type. On a European wheel, the single zero is the only “extra” outcome that causes a loss. On an American wheel, you lose on both 0 and 00. That extra losing pocket increases the long-term drain on your bankroll even if you rarely bet on single numbers.

This also impacts betting systems such as Martingale, Fibonacci, or D’Alembert. These systems change how you pace your stakes, but they do not change the underlying probabilities. When the game has a higher house edge, a progression system simply accelerates how quickly the mathematical disadvantage shows up, especially if table limits stop you from doubling indefinitely.

Outside Bets vs Inside Bets: Which Is “Better” on Each Wheel?

Many players prefer outside bets because they offer a steadier rhythm — more small wins and fewer dramatic swings. However, the wheel type still matters. On European roulette, outside bets are relatively more efficient because the single zero creates fewer unavoidable losses over time. On American roulette, the added 00 increases the number of “dead” outcomes where you lose regardless of your choice.

Inside bets (such as straight-up numbers) have the same payout structure in both versions — for example, a straight-up bet pays 35:1. But because the probability is lower on the American wheel (1 out of 38 instead of 1 out of 37), the expected value drops further. That means the risk is not just about volatility — it is also about paying a higher statistical cost per spin.

If you enjoy inside betting, European roulette remains the better option purely on value. You still face variance, but you are doing so with a lower built-in disadvantage. The difference is not cosmetic; it is measurable in every bet category and becomes more visible the longer you play.

Where French Roulette and Special Rules Fit In (Important in 2025)

In 2025, many online casinos offer not only European and American roulette but also French roulette, which uses the same 37-pocket wheel as European roulette. The main attraction of French roulette is not the wheel itself but the rules that can apply on even-money bets, particularly “La Partage” and “En Prison.” These rules reduce the casino advantage even further.

La Partage typically means that if the ball lands on zero and you have placed an even-money bet (Red/Black, Odd/Even, or 1–18/19–36), you lose only half your stake rather than the full amount. En Prison is similar, but instead of losing half immediately, your stake may be “imprisoned” for the next spin, and you recover it if you win on the following round.

These rules are common in live dealer French roulette and also appear in some RNG versions online. They are worth looking for because they change the value of outside bets in a way that is mathematically meaningful, not just a small perk.

Best-Value Roulette in 2025: What to Choose and What to Avoid

If your goal is better value, European roulette is the clear choice over American roulette because it halves the house edge from 5.26% to 2.70%. This is true whether you play RNG roulette or live dealer roulette. The lower the house edge, the more of your bankroll stays in play over time, giving you longer sessions and better odds of finishing ahead.

If you mainly play outside bets, French roulette with La Partage is often the best option, reducing the house edge to around 1.35% on even-money bets. That reduction is significant: it effectively cuts the European roulette edge in half. For players who stick to Red/Black or Odd/Even, this is one of the few rule variations that genuinely improves expected return.

American roulette is the version to avoid if value matters. The double zero is a structural disadvantage that cannot be offset by strategy, intuition, or short-term luck. If a casino offers only American roulette, it may still be entertaining, but you should treat it as a higher-cost choice and adjust your bankroll and expectations accordingly.