The house edge is the casino’s built-in advantage — the average percentage of every wager it expects to keep over time. It’s why casinos are profitable even when individual players win.
House edge vs RTP
House edge and RTP are the same maths from opposite directions:
House edge = 100% − RTP
A slot with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge. Over millions of spins it returns 96% of stakes to players and keeps 4%.
Typical house edges
- Slots: usually 2-6% (so 94-98% RTP). High-RTP picks like Big Bass Bonanza sit near the low end.
- Blackjack: under 1% with correct basic strategy.
- European roulette: ~2.7% (single zero).
- American roulette: ~5.26% (double zero — avoid it).
- Baccarat: ~1.06% on the banker bet.
Why the edge always wins long-term
The edge is small per bet but relentless: the more you play, the closer your results drift toward it. Short sessions are where luck — driven by volatility — can beat the maths. That’s the only window in which players come out ahead.
What it means for you
Lower house edge = slower bankroll erosion. Choose higher-RTP games, understand you can’t beat the maths long-term, and treat any session as entertainment with a budget. See our responsible gambling tips to stay in control.