What is the house edge?

Why the house always has an edge

Every casino game is designed so the casino takes a small percentage of every wager over time. This is the house edge: a mathematical advantage built into the rules of the game. It is not cheating; it is how casinos make money and stay in business.

House edge is expressed as a percentage of each bet. A 5% house edge means the casino keeps $5 for every $100 wagered across all players over time. The remaining $95 is returned as winnings, which is why this number is directly related to RTP. A game with 95% RTP has a 5% house edge.

House edge by game type

The house edge varies significantly depending on the game. Blackjack with basic strategy can sit below 0.5%. European roulette sits at around 2.7%. American roulette, with two zero pockets, rises to 5.26%. Slots vary widely but generally carry a house edge of 3% to 8%. Keno and scratch cards often carry the highest edges of all.

What you can do about it

You cannot eliminate the house edge, but you can manage it. Choosing games with lower edges, playing with correct strategy in table games, and setting clear loss limits before a session are all sensible approaches. The house edge remains on every bet regardless of bonuses or promotions.