House edge explained — how much every casino game really costs you
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Gamblerfy editorial team
Every casino game is built around one number: the house edge. It's the reason the casino stays in business no matter how many people win on any given night. Understand it and you understand exactly why a bonus is worth less than its headline, why some games are "cheaper" to play than others, and why "systems" never beat the maths.
What the house edge actually is
The house edge is the casino's built-in advantage: the average share of every bet the casino expects to keep over the long run. A 5% house edge means that, across all the money wagered, players lose about $5 for every $100 staked. Its mirror image is RTP (return to player): RTP = 100% − house edge. A 96% RTP slot has a 4% house edge.
Typical house edges by game
These are the standard figures for common games under typical rules. The lower the edge, the less each bet costs you on average.
| Game (typical rules) | House edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Video poker (full-pay) | < 0.5% | > 99.5% |
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | ~0.5% | ~99.5% |
| Baccarat (banker bet) | ~1.06% | ~98.9% |
| Craps (pass line) | ~1.41% | ~98.6% |
| European roulette (single zero) | 2.70% | 97.30% |
| American roulette (double zero) | 5.26% | 94.74% |
| Slots (varies widely) | ~2%–10%+ | ~90%–98% |
Figures are standard published values for common rule sets; exact numbers vary by table rules, pay tables and the individual slot. Roulette's edges come straight from the numbers: a single-zero wheel has 37 pockets but pays 35:1, giving 1/37 ≈ 2.70%; a double-zero wheel has 38 pockets, giving 2/38 ≈ 5.26%.
Why one number changes everything
The same $100 of play costs you about 50 cents at a good blackjack table and over $5 on American roulette — a tenfold difference in expected cost for the identical stake. Choosing lower-edge games (and the better variant, like single-zero roulette) is the single biggest thing in your control.
House edge vs volatility — not the same thing
The house edge tells you the average cost; volatility tells you how bumpy the ride is around that average. A high-volatility slot can still have a low edge, but it swings harder — you can bust fast or hit big. Two games with the same RTP can feel completely different. Edge decides the long-run cost; volatility decides the short-run experience.
Why this decides what a bonus is worth
A wagering requirement forces you to cycle your bonus (and often your deposit) through the house edge again and again. Every loop hands the edge another bite. That's why the game's edge and its wagering contribution matter so much, and why our Bonus Value Score factors them in — the real value of a bonus is what survives after the house edge has taken its share. Put numbers on any offer with the Bonus Value Calculator.
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