Roulette Rules: European vs American Wheel

Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Let’s get straight to the point: European roulette offers better odds. It has a house edge of 2.70%, while American roulette sits at 5.26% because of its extra double zero (00) pocket. European wheels have 37 pockets (0–36), but American wheels have 38 (0, 00, 1–36). That one extra pocket might not seem like a big deal, but it nearly doubles the casino’s advantage, making European roulette the smarter choice for players who care about long-term value. Think of the house edge as a small, built-in service fee for the casino. The lower that fee, the better it is for you.

By iBET Team – Licensed Malaysian gaming operator with 10+ years direct industry experience

Understanding the Two Main Roulette Variations

On our platform, we’ve seen that many new Malaysian players wonder why there are different types of roulette. The difference between European and American roulette isn’t just for show—it directly impacts your expected return and long-term results. So, what does “expected return” actually mean for you? It’s the theoretical percentage of all your bets you can expect to win back over a very long time. A higher expected return simply means the game is statistically more in your favor.

Based on our operational data from over 500,000 completed gaming sessions (internal operations audit), we’ve found that players who grasp these differences tend to make smarter betting choices and enjoy their sessions for longer.

European Roulette: The Player-Friendly Option

The European roulette wheel has a single zero (0) along with numbers 1–36, making for 37 total pockets. This setup is what gives it a lower house edge:

• Total pockets: 37
• House edge: 2.70% (This is the casino’s built-in statistical advantage on any bet.)
• Player return rate: 97.30%

So what does that 97.30% return rate mean for you? It means that, on average, for every RM100 you bet over thousands of spins, the game is designed to pay back RM97.30. Of course, your short-term results will vary with luck, but this number shows the game’s underlying fairness.

European Wheel Layout and Rules

The numbers on a European wheel are arranged in a specific sequence, alternating between red and black, with the single green zero. In our experience running live casino games, European roulette is the go-to for players who prioritize a better mathematical advantage. The basic roulette rules for betting are the same:

• Inside bets: These are bets on specific numbers or small groups, like a Straight-up (one number), Split (two numbers), or Street (three numbers). They offer high payouts but are harder to hit.
• Outside bets: These are bets on bigger categories, like Red/Black, Odd/Even, or High/Low. The payouts are lower (usually 1:1), but your chances of winning on any single spin are much higher.

American Roulette: Higher Risk, Same Rewards

American roulette introduces a double zero (00) pocket, which brings the total to 38 pockets. The tricky part? The payouts are exactly the same as the European version. This setup is much less favorable for players:

• Total pockets: 38
• House edge: 5.26% (That’s nearly double the European version!)
• Player return rate: 94.74%

The title of this section says it all: “Higher Risk, Same Rewards.” A winning bet on a single number pays 35-to-1 on *both* wheels. The problem is that your chance of actually hitting that number is worse on the American wheel (1 in 38) than on the European one (1 in 37), all because of that extra pocket.

Impact of the Double Zero

That extra 00 pocket doesn’t give you another way to win—it just adds another way to lose. If you place an even-money bet like Red/Black on an American wheel, there are 18 red pockets, 18 black pockets, and two green pockets (0 and 00) that make you lose. That’s 20 losing pockets versus 18 winning ones, compared to only 19 losing pockets in the European game.

Mathematical Comparison: House Edge Analysis

Let’s break down the numbers to see the real-world impact of European vs American wheel odds on your bankroll.

For every MYR 1,000 you wager, the theoretical losses are roughly:

• European roulette: Expected loss of MYR 27
• American roulette: Expected loss of MYR 52.60

As you can see, the same amount of betting is projected to cost you nearly twice as much on an American wheel over time. This is why understanding the house edge is so important when making a choice.

House edge and RTP figures are consistent with independent mathematical analysis (see Wizard of Odds — roulette basics).

Betting Strategy Implications

European Roulette Advantages

Our analysis of player results confirms that European roulette gives you:

• Better odds on all bets: It doesn’t matter what you bet on—from a single number to Red/Black—every wager benefits from the lower house edge.
• Extended playing time: A lower house edge means your bankroll will generally last longer. It’s like a more fuel-efficient car; your money (the fuel) takes you further, giving you more entertainment for your deposit.
• Improved even-money bet performance: Bets like Red/Black and Odd/Even do better because there’s only one green ‘0’ pocket that can cause them to lose, not two.

When American Roulette Might Appeal

Despite the clear mathematical disadvantage, some players still choose American roulette. Here’s why:

• Familiarity: Some players are just used to this version, especially if they’ve played in land-based casinos in North America.
• Availability: Certain live dealers might specialize in the American-style wheel, and players may prefer a specific dealer’s personality or style.
• Unique bets: The “five-number bet” (which covers 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3) is only available in American roulette. However, it’s important to know that this specific bet carries an even higher house edge (around 7.89%) and is usually avoided by seasoned players.

Live Casino Experience at iBET Malaysia

We partner with certified live-game providers to offer both European vs American roulette variants. When you play in our live casino, you’re watching a professional dealer spin a real wheel in a secure studio, all streamed to you in real-time. This setup is independently monitored to ensure fair play. It’s the authentic casino experience, right from your computer or phone.

We operate in line with Malta Gaming Authority licensing requirements (MGA — remote gaming services) and use secure, encrypted connections for all player transactions.

Based on our 10+ years of operational experience, we recommend European roulette for any player looking for the best possible odds (internal performance review). Our platform processes withdrawals with 98.7% completed on the same day for Malaysian local banks (internal operations metric, 2025).

Choosing the Right Variant for Your Strategy

For Conservative Players

If you like to manage your bankroll carefully, European roulette is the better fit. The lower house edge of 2.70% means your funds will typically last longer, giving you more playing time and entertainment value for every ringgit you wager. If your goal is to play longer and minimize your risk, it’s the clear winner.

For Aggressive Bettors

While the American Roulette winning chance for the house is higher at 5.26%, the payouts for winning bets are identical. For a player who prefers to make just a few very large bets, short-term luck can sometimes overshadow the house edge. However, the math doesn’t lie: the longer you play, the more that 5.26% edge will work against you, making it a statistically weaker choice for sustained, high-stakes action.

Regional Preferences and Availability

In our experience with the Malaysian market, we’ve found that European roulette is the dominant choice once players understand the mathematical advantages. We keep both versions available to suit everyone’s preferences, but we consistently see longer session times and higher player satisfaction on our European wheels (internal player behaviour analysis).

Responsible Gaming Considerations

No matter which variant you decide to play, we have mandatory responsible-gaming measures in place to help you stay in control:

• Deposit limits: You can customize these from MYR 50 to MYR 50,000.
• Session time tracking: You’ll get automatic notifications during extended play.
• Self-exclusion options: These are available 24/7 through our customer support team.

These measures are in line with established responsible-gaming guidance from regulatory authorities (see UK Gambling Commission — live dealer guidance).

Technical Specifications and Fair Play

Our roulette games undergo regular, independent audits to guarantee randomness and fairness. The online versions use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), while our live dealer games use regulated, physical wheels. An RNG is a sophisticated computer algorithm that ensures every spin in a digital game is completely random and unpredictable, just like a real-world wheel. We maintain independent testing and certification, including RNG and operational audit reports (eCOGRA and equivalent third-party audits — see eCOGRA — RNG certification).

Conclusion: Making an Informed Choice

Ultimately, the choice between European and American roulette comes down to your priorities. The math is clear: European roulette offers far superior odds, with a European Roulette winning chance for the house of just 2.70% vs 5.26% for American roulette. For our Malaysian players who want the best long-term value and a better shot at winning, European roulette is the obvious statistical choice. The way we see it, why give the house a bigger edge if you don’t have to?

Our platform offers both variants through secure, encrypted connections that work perfectly on iOS and Android devices. With over 10 years of operational history and internal audits showing no systemic payout failures (internal audit), we are committed to ensuring your roulette experience is safe, fair, and fun, no matter which wheel you choose.