European vs American Roulette

By

Roulette is one of the oldest and most iconic casino games in the world, with a rich history that dates back centuries. But did you know that there are two different versions of roulette? In this blog post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about European and American roulette – from their origins and the different rules associated with each version, to the payouts, the house edge, and the variants offered. We’ll even give you some insider tips and strategies to help you gain an advantage when playing both variants. In the end, you should have all the information you need to decide which type of roulette is right for you.

Here you can find both versions in the best online casinos in Switzerland in the October 2024:

1
100%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF300 + 20 FS + 5 Golden Chips

Bonus over 4 deposits. 35 times wagering requirements on bonus amount. FREE CHF20 after verification. Furthermore: One casino bonus per month for the first four months. In the fourth month even 350% up to CHF1'000 + 100 free spins! Fabulous!

2
95%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF 1'000 + up to 200 free spins

🏆 TOP PROVIDER! 🥉 Top bonus over 4 deposits and cancelable. Excellent conditions. FREE CHF20 after verification - use the code: "Jackback" in the coupon field. Furthermore: Casino bonus: 1st deposit: 100% up to CHF 1'000 + up to 200 free spins, 2nd deposit: 50% up to CHF 500, 3rd deposit 75% up to CHF 600, 4th deposit 100% up to CHF 700. Fabulous! And a crystal clear recommendation. Tip: Pay in at least CHF 20.

3
93%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF777 + 100 free spins

🏆 TOP PROVIDER! 🥈 Topbonus! Regular promotions. Casino bonus on first deposit 100% up to CHF777. Bonus conditions are fair. Stately 6 months to implement (normally only 30 days!). Top. Tip: Deposit at least CHF20.

4
89%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF900

Bonus on the first deposit. Excellent conditions (30 times turnover conditions on bonus amount)! FREE CHF 15 + 50 freespins (value: CHF 10) after verification.

5
86%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF300 + 200 FS

35 times wagering requirements on bonus amount. With deposit of at least CHF 20 you will receive 200 free spins in portions of 50 spins each over 4 days. There are *no* wagering requirements on the winnings from the freespins.

6
73%
TOTAL SCORE

100% up to CHF300.-

Bonus relatively low/average. Regular promotions. Friends recommend friends program. Bonus on the first deposit 100% up to CHF 300. Bonus terms are fair (30x wagering requirement on slots).

Origins: The History of European and American Roulette

The game of roulette has a rich history that spans centuries and continents. It originated in eighteenth-century Europe, where it quickly became popular in the continent’s elegant casinos. The game spread to America during the colonial period and has since developed numerous variants. In this blog article, we will look at the origins and evolution of European and American roulette and how modern versions have adapted to changing times.

Let us first discuss the origin of roulette in Europe. The game was invented by the French mathematician Blaise Pascal in 1796, when he tried to develop a perpetual motion machine. Pascal did not succeed in building such a device, but instead he created something arguably more fun – a casino game based on chance! The original version of roulette consisted of a single wheel with a zero and red and black squares marked 0 to 36. This format became known as European roulette and quickly spread to other parts of Europe where gambling was popular at the time.

It is believed that the game was first introduced in small Swiss towns around 1796 and quickly became a popular game among locals. By 1843, roulette had spread across the country and flourished there until the end of the 19th century, when other parts of Europe began to adopt it as well. Today, Switzerland remains one of the largest centers for this iconic casino classic with many casinos offering different variations of European and American roulette throughout the year.

When European settlers came across the Atlantic to America in the late 1700s, they brought roulette with them. As settlers moved west to new areas, they adapted the game to their current environment. In particular, American roulette has an additional “00” slot on the reel, which slightly increases the house advantage over its European counterpart; furthermore, chips are used for betting rather than the colored markers used in the traditional European version of roulette. In addition, American casinos often offer side bets such as high/low bets or single number bets, which give players additional options in this exciting roulette variation.

Roulette is still an extremely popular form of entertainment around the world today – and that’s thanks to its colorful roots in Europe and America! Over time, modern technology has changed some aspects of this popular casino classic, but at its core it remains unchanged and still an exciting experience full of luck and skillful decisions that can turn passionate players into instant winners!

Rules: Comparison of rules for each type of roulette

Roulette is a game of chance that has been around for centuries. It is one of the most popular games in casinos and there are several different types. While the basic rules are the same for all variants, each variant has its own set of rules. In this part we will cover the rules for each type of roulette and compare them to see how they differ.

Let’s look at American roulette first. This variant uses a wheel with 38 compartments numbered 0-36 and an additional double zero compartment (00). The aim of the game is to predict on which number or square the ball will finally stop after being spun around the wheel by the croupier.

In addition to these 38 pockets, there are usually two other betting options at the tables: ‘odd-even’ or ‘black-red’ bets, where players choose either an odd or even number, or a black or red color, respectively. Players can also make other betting combinations such as column, corner and street bets.

European roulette differs from its American cousin in that it doesn’t have a 00 slot on the wheel, but only 37 slots – 0-36 – which makes it a bit cheaper for players than American roulette. The rules and structure of European roulette otherwise remain largely unchanged.

In French roulette it is possible to use two additional rule variations: La Partage and En Prison rules. La Partage means that if a player places an even money bet and the ball lands on zero, he gets half of his bet back; in En Prison, if a player places an even money bet on any other number and the ball stops on zero again, his bet remains ‘in jail’ for one more spin. If a player wins, his bet is released, but if he loses, his bet goes to the house (the house advantage in French roulette increases from 2.7%, when played without these special rules, to 5%). These additional features are a great way for players to reduce losses by taking advantage of the extra chances that both variants of French Roulette offer over other versions of this game such as American or European Roulette!

Conclusion: Each roulette variant offers a different level of challenge and excitement due to the different rules. Make sure you understand each variation before investing your hard earned money in spinning the reels!

Betting types: Discover the differences in betting variety

When you play roulette, there are a number of different bets that you can use to increase your chances of winning. Let’s look at the difference between inside and outside bets so you can master roulette like a pro.

When you bet on inside numbers (or small groups of numbers), you have several betting options to choose from, including straight-up, split, street, corner and more. With an inside bet, you don’t have to worry about getting multiple numbers right, because most inside bets pay out even if only one number you choose is successful. The downside? Inside bets usually have lower payouts as they are considered more difficult to win.

With outside bets, on the other hand, players do not have to select individual numbers to take home money. Instead, outside bets focus on larger areas of the roller such as high/low numbers, red/black pockets, or even odd/even pockets. These types of bets do not offer the same potential profit as an inside bet, but they do offer higher chances of winning overall, as the player has to guess less here.

Regardless of which type of bet you find best for your budget and playing style, it’s important that you know the pros and cons of inside and outside bets before placing any real money at the table. If you understand the differences and advantages of the two types of bets before you join a casino game – no matter how complex (or simple!) it is – you’ll be well on your way to becoming a really good player!

Payouts: Examining the payout rate for both games

When playing either American or European roulette, you should pay attention to the payout rate and the return to player for each variant. Return to player (RTP) is a measure of how much money you can get back in winnings for every CHF 1 wagered.

In American roulette, the house edge due to double zero on the reel is 5.26%, resulting in an RTP of 94.74%. This means that for every CHF 1 you bet, you can get back about 94.74 centimes in winnings.

European roulette is more favorable to players because it has only one zero on the reel, resulting in a house edge of 2.7% and an RTP of 97.3%. This means that for every CHF 1 wagered, you can get back about 97.3 centimes in winnings.

In summary, American roulette offers lower payouts due to the higher house advantage, but is still a very entertaining and rewarding game. On the other hand, European roulette offers more favorable payouts, which makes playing this variant all the more attractive for those looking for a better return on their bets.

Conclusion: What is the difference between American and European roulette?

We have now examined the differences between European and American roulette in terms of history, rules, betting options, table set-up, house advantage and return to player. At this point, it should be clear that each type of roulette offers a unique set of features and characteristics that can affect your overall gaming experience.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of roulette is right for your budget, preferences and playing style. Both American and European roulette offer exciting experiences with great odds and payouts, so have fun exploring both variations!

And remember – no matter what type of roulette you choose, always remember that the house always has the advantage in any casino game. The most important thing is to play within your limits and be aware of all the risks before placing bets for real money.

Alex-Baumgartner
About the author

About the author: Alex Baumgartner

Hello! My name is Alex Baumgartner and I run the comparison portal Bestecasinosschweiz.ch.

I have been in the online gambling industry for many years and am the editor of the Gambling and Online Casino Compendium – a reference book on online casinos and gambling (ISBN: 9783744864473).


With over 10 years of experience in online gambling, I’ve seen almost everything before and am happy to pass this knowledge on to you.

My passion for online casinos is evident in my extensive testing, where I combine my enjoyment of the thrill of online casinos with my interest in sharing 100% objective experiences with you.