{"id":23675,"date":"2026-09-23T19:10:46","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T16:10:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=23675"},"modified":"2026-09-23T19:10:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T16:10:46","slug":"european-vs-american-roulette-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/european-vs-american-roulette-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"European vs American Roulette: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Roulette is an iconic <\/span>live casino<\/span><\/a> game, but how does European vs American roulette compare?<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the basic game structures are similar, the wheel layouts are different. European roulette contains 37 pockets, consisting of numbers 1-36 and a single 0. In contrast, American roulette has 38 pockets: numbers 1-36, a 0 and 00.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, the additional zero in American roulette affects the house edge and probabilities. American roulette has a higher house edge (5.26%) compared to its European counterpart (2.70%). Our in-depth guide tackles the key facets of European roulette and American roulette, assessing payouts, wheel layout, and available bets.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_js el_class=”banner-highlight”]JTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMnRleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTIyJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZqcy43YmV0LnBhcnRuZXJzJTJGamF2YXNjcmlwdC5waHAlM0ZwcmVmaXglM0RnMHRwcEFNSVpFbTJ1MDhxTm84b2JXTmQ3WmdxZFJMayUyNmFtcCUzQm1lZGlhJTNENDc0JTI2YW1wJTNCY2FtcGFpZ24lM0Q0MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_js][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

European vs American Roulette: Quick Comparison<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although payouts across the board are largely the same, the main difference between European and American roulette lies in the wheel structure. Our table shines a light on this, and we have shared a few additional notes:<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”eb-table”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nEuropean Roulette<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\nAmerican Roulette<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Pockets<\/span><\/td>\n37<\/span><\/td>\n38<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zero Pockets<\/span><\/td>\n1<\/span><\/td>\n2<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Numbers\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n1-36 + 0<\/span><\/td>\n1-36 + 0 + 00<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Standard house edge<\/span><\/td>\n2.70%<\/span><\/td>\n5.26%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Straight-up payout<\/span><\/td>\n35:1<\/span><\/td>\n35:1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red\/black payout<\/span><\/td>\n1:1<\/span><\/td>\n1:1<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Special five-number bet<\/span><\/td>\nNo\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Although both <\/span>roulette<\/span><\/a> versions use the same main numbers from 1 to 36, the telling structural difference is the American wheel features an extra 00 pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n

While payouts for individual betting types are broadly the same, the number of potential outcomes differs, as European roulette has fewer options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The chances of winning bets being made diminish slightly with American roulette as the double zero adds an extra losing outcome without adjusting payout rates. Compared to European roulette, these fine margins can add up over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How does European Roulette Work?<\/b><\/h2>\n

European roulette<\/span><\/a> is distinct in nature. In terms of layout and house edge, the following can be said:<\/span><\/p>\n