European roulette uses a wheel with 37 pockets: 1 to 36 and a single zero. That gives it a house edge of 2.70% (RTP 97.30%), almost half that of American roulette. With French La Partage rules the edge on even-money bets drops to 1.35%. You can play it for real money in your mobile browser at Jackpot City, Bovada and Ignition.
- 37 pockets with a single zero
- House edge 2.70%, RTP 97.30%
- La Partage cuts the edge on even-money bets to 1.35%
- Play in the mobile browser at Jackpot City, Bovada and Ignition
European roulette is the single-zero version of the game and the best-value roulette you’ll find at most online casinos. Its wheel has 37 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36 and one green zero. Dropping the American double zero cuts the house edge from 5.26% to 2.70%, while the bets and payouts stay exactly the same. Here’s how European roulette works, how it compares with the American and French versions, and where to play it for real money on your phone.
What is European roulette?
European roulette is the classic form of roulette played in casinos across Europe and in most online casinos worldwide. Brothers François and Louis Blanc introduced the single-zero wheel at their casino in Bad Homburg in 1843 to win players from competitors with a double zero. When the Blancs moved on to Monte Carlo, the single zero went with them and became the European standard.
Online, European roulette comes in two forms: RNG tables that you play alone at your own pace, and live dealer tables where a croupier spins a real wheel in a studio.
European roulette rules
You place your chips during the betting round, the wheel is spun and the ball settles in one of the 37 pockets. Inside bets cover one to six numbers; outside bets cover larger groups such as red or black, dozens and columns. If the ball lands on zero, all outside bets lose unless the table uses French rules.
| Bet | Numbers covered | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up | 1 | 35 to 1 |
| Split | 2 | 17 to 1 |
| Street | 3 | 11 to 1 |
| Corner | 4 | 8 to 1 |
| Six line | 6 | 5 to 1 |
| Dozen or column | 12 | 2 to 1 |
| Red/black, odd/even, high/low | 18 | 1 to 1 |
Many European tables also offer a racetrack with call bets that cover sections of the wheel: Voisins du Zéro (the 17 numbers around zero), Tiers du Cylindre (the 12 numbers opposite), Orphelins (the 8 numbers in between) and neighbour bets.
European roulette house edge and RTP
With 37 pockets and payouts based on 36, the house edge is 1/37, or 2.70%, on every bet. The RTP is 97.30%. A red or black bet wins 48.65% of the time, compared with 47.37% on an American wheel.
French roulette uses the same single-zero wheel but adds La Partage: if the ball lands on zero, you get half of your even-money bet back. That lowers the house edge on red/black, odd/even and high/low to 1.35%. Some tables use En Prison instead, which locks your bet for one more spin. If you find a table with either rule, it is the best roulette bet available.
European roulette strategy tips
- Look for La Partage or En Prison on even-money bets: it halves the house edge on those bets.
- Remember that every spin is independent. Hot and cold numbers on the scoreboard don’t predict the next result.
- Betting systems don’t change the 2.70% edge. Martingale in particular can burn through a bankroll fast after a losing streak.
- Use outside bets for longer sessions with a steadier balance, and inside bets if you prefer rare but bigger wins.
- Set a deposit limit in your casino account before you play.
How to play European roulette on your phone
The casinos below don’t need an app download. Open the site in Safari or Chrome, register, deposit and look for European roulette in the table games or live casino lobby. RNG versions load in seconds and work well on mobile data; live tables are best on Wi-Fi. If you want to learn the racetrack bets first, the free apps Roulette Royale and Roulettist let you practise them with play chips.
Where to play European roulette for real money
Jackpot City has European roulette as an RNG game and a large live roulette lobby powered by Evolution; it serves players in Canada and other markets outside the US. Bovada and Ignition offer European roulette next to American roulette, plus live dealer tables, and accept players from most US states. Availability depends on where you live, so check before you sign up.
European vs American and French roulette
| European | American | French | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pockets | 37 (single 0) | 38 (0 and 00) | 37 (single 0) |
| House edge | 2.70% | 5.26% | 1.35% on even money, 2.70% other bets |
| Extra rule | None | Top line bet (7.89%) | La Partage or En Prison |
If your casino offers both versions, European roulette is the obvious choice over American roulette. For a real dealer and multipliers, see our guide to live roulette.
More roulette apps
Our roulette apps guide compares the best real-money and free roulette apps, and explains what to look for on mobile.
Pros and cons
- Lower house edge than American roulette
- Racetrack and French call bets
- Widely available as RNG and live dealer
- Works in the mobile browser, no download
- House edge still applies to every bet
- La Partage tables are less common in US-facing casinos
- Live tables need a stable connection
Play European roulette in these 3 casino apps
18+ (21+ where required) · T&Cs apply
18+ (21+ where required) · T&Cs apply
18+ (21+ where required) · T&Cs apply · Min. deposit $20 · 25x wagering on the casino part · Live dealer and Hot Drop Jackpots excluded
Features
European roulette app FAQ
What is the house edge in European roulette?
The house edge is 2.70% on every bet, which gives an RTP of 97.30%. With La Partage or En Prison, the edge on even-money bets drops to 1.35%.
Is European roulette better than American roulette?
Yes, for the odds. Both games have the same bets and payouts, but European roulette has one fewer zero, so the house edge is 2.70% instead of 5.26%.
Where can I play European roulette for real money on my phone?
Jackpot City, Bovada and Ignition offer European roulette in the mobile browser, both as an RNG game and at live dealer tables.
What is the difference between European and French roulette?
They use the same single-zero wheel. French roulette adds La Partage or En Prison, which returns half of an even-money bet when the ball lands on zero.