Roulette is one of the oldest casino games still played today. It has roots in 18th-century France and has since developed into several distinct versions – each with its own wheel layout, rules, and house edge. If you’ve come across European Roulette at an online casino UK and wondered how it sits alongside American or French Roulette, here’s a straightforward breakdown of what sets them apart.
The range of Roulette variations available online has grown considerably in recent years. Alongside the classic formats, you’ll also find themed games and live dealer options that follow the same core rules but present them in different formats.
The European Roulette wheel
European Roulette is the most widely played version in the UK. The wheel contains 37 pockets – numbers 1 to 36, plus a single green zero. That single zero is what gives the game a house edge of 2.70%.
Bets are split into two main types. Inside bets cover individual numbers or small groups, and outside bets cover larger sections of the wheel – such as red or black, odd or even, or high or low. The payouts and probabilities differ depending on which you choose, but all outcomes are determined by chance. Each spin is independent of the last.
How American Roulette differs
American Roulette uses a wheel with 38 pockets. The difference is one extra pocket: a double zero (00), alongside the standard single zero. That addition changes the house edge from 2.70% to 5.26%.
The extra pocket means there’s one more possible outcome on every spin. Bets and payouts are structured in the same way as European Roulette, but the odds shift slightly because of that additional number. American Roulette also includes a five-number bet covering 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, which isn’t available in European or French versions.
What makes French Roulette different
French Roulette uses the same single-zero wheel as European Roulette, so the base layout is identical. What changes are two specific rules that apply when the ball lands on zero.
The first is La Partage. On even-money bets – red/black, odd/even, high/low – if zero is the result, you get half your bet back. The second is En Prison. Rather than losing the bet outright, it stays on the table for the next spin. If it wins on the following round, you get your stake back.
These rules only apply to even-money bets. On other bet types, French Roulette plays out the same as European. When La Partage or En Prison applies, the house edge on those bets drops to 1.35%.
French Roulette also uses French terminology on the table. Outside bets may be labelled Manque (low, 1-18) and Passe (high, 19-36), and you may also find a racetrack section for call bets such as Voisins du Zéro and Tiers du Cylindre.
How online versions compare to land-based play
In a physical casino, you’re typically limited to one or two Roulette tables. Online, the range is broader – European, American, French, and live dealer formats are commonly available side by side.
In digital Roulette online, outcomes are produced by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This ensures each spin is independent and random, replicating the unpredictability of a physical wheel. Live Roulette uses an actual wheel, spun by a real dealer and streamed directly to your device.
The core rules don’t change between the two. What differs is the format: live Roulette includes a regulated chat function and real-time dealer interaction, while digital versions let you set your own pace.
The house edge at a glance
The key structural difference across all three versions comes down to the wheel:
- European Roulette: 37 pockets, single zero, house edge of 2.70%
- French Roulette: 37 pockets, single zero, house edge of 1.35% on even-money bets when La Partage or En Prison applies
- American Roulette: 38 pockets, zero and double zero, house edge of 5.26%
These figures reflect the mathematical probability built into each version of the game. Roulette is a game of chance, and no method or approach changes the underlying odds of any individual spin.
If you’re playing at a regulated online casino in the UK, the platform will be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Tools to manage your gameplay – such as deposit limits and session reminders – are available on all licensed sites. Always play within your means.
