Online Casino Games Ranked by House Edge

As the legalization and promotion of online casino games becomes greater, awareness and education surrounding those games becomes increasingly relevant. 

Casino games are far different from sports betting, as it is nearly impossible to derive edges against the house in terms of expected value. Expected value is essentially the return that you can expect to get from a certain investment or strategy, whether it be on a one-time case or in the long term. While a very select number of people may be able to find expected value with in-person table games, that number becomes zero when looking at online casino games. 

Let’s dive into the numbers behind casino games, and why the question of a house edge is simply how big, rather than is there a house edge?

Roulette: 2.75% or 5.26%

Roulette is one of the most disadvantageous games for gamblers, and the massive house edge reveals why that is the case. In standard American double-zero wheels, the house edge is 5.26%, and that number dips down to 2.75% with single-zero wheels. In Las Vegas now, there are even some three-zero wheels.

True odds of hitting red or black on a typical double-zero American roulette table are 47.4% and 48.6% on a single-zero table, but payouts in that market come at 1:1, rather than slightly greater than even. In terms of a single number, payouts are typically +3500, whereas fair value would be around +3750.

While you may have seen the story about a man that cracked the roulette code, this wouldn’t have been possible both with a double-zero wheel or with the game in an online form. 

Slots: 0.9% to 10%

Another one of the most disadvantageous games for bettors is slots. Depending on the game, the house edge can vary from 0.9% to 10%, but at the higher end of that spectrum, you can expect to lose 10% of your money when playing. 

If you’re looking to gamble recreationally, there are almost always ways that you can do it without conceding such a hefty edge. 

Blackjack: 0.25% to 3%

Blackjack is another game that is rules-dependent, but nonetheless the house edge is substantial. 

Though “card counting” is difficult, there are ways to do it in brick-and-mortar casinos. However, it is not possible online and thus there is no way to avoid the disadvantage that comes with it, even if you are playing with an optimal strategy.

Variations of the game such as 6:5 blackjack or side bet blackjack contribute to the house edge. If you are going to play blackjack at an online casino, these are the worst games to play.

Baccarat: 1.06% to 1.24%

The house edges in baccarat differ based on if you are playing the dealer’s hand or your own hand, but you are dealing with an edge over 1% either way. 

Conclusion

While recreationally playing online casino games can be fun for some, it’s important to remember that you should never be playing these games with the thought that you *should* win or expect to win money. In fact, you should expect that you will return less money than what you started with. There are times when you will win, but these house edges indicate that in the long term, it is almost impossible to come out ahead. 

Thus, only betting with money that you can afford to lose - both fiscally and in terms of mental impact - is vital to having fun when playing online casino games. Additionally, you should remember to keep your stake size the same, and not try to capitalize on “hot streaks” or chase losses from “cold streaks.”

For more information on responsible gaming, you can check out our responsible gaming hub here. There, you can find a host of resources on the subject.