What Is the House Edge?
The house edge is the mathematical advantage a casino holds over players in any given game. It’s expressed as a percentage and represents the average profit the casino makes from every bet placed over time.
How the house edge works
A roulette wheel with one zero has a house edge of 2.7%. On every $100 wagered, the casino expects to keep $2.70 in the long run. American roulette with two zeros pushes the house edge to 5.26%, nearly doubling the casino’s advantage. This is why experienced players prefer European or French roulette tables where available.
House edge by game type
Different games have very different house edges. Blackjack played with basic strategy can be below 0.5%. Baccarat banker bets sit around 1.06%. Standard slots range from 2% to 10%. Keno and scratch cards can exceed 20-25%. Knowing these figures helps you choose games where your bankroll will last longer.
The relationship with RTP
The house edge and RTP are two sides of the same figure. A game with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. The house edge exists because game odds are designed to slightly favor the casino. This is not manipulation, just the math that allows casinos to operate profitably. All regulated casinos work this way.