American roulette apps

Why American roulette apps exist in the UK

Double-zero roulette is the standard game in most casinos in the United States, while UK and European venues have long favoured the single-zero wheel. UK casino apps carry American roulette mainly because the game studios that supply them build tables for many markets, and some players simply like the look of the wheel or recognise it from films and TV.

It's usually one table among many in the roulette lobby, sitting alongside several single-zero versions. It's perfectly legitimate and fairly tested; the issue is purely cost. Understanding why it costs more, and how much, lets you choose deliberately rather than by accident. Our roulette apps hub lists every version you're likely to see.

The double-zero wheel and betting grid

An American wheel has 38 pockets: the numbers 1 to 36 in red and black, plus two green pockets marked 0 and 00. The numbers are arranged in a different order from the European wheel, with 0 and 00 sitting directly opposite each other. That different order means neighbour and section bets, if a table offers them, cover different numbers from those on a single-zero table.

On the betting grid, 0 and 00 sit side by side at the top, above the three columns of numbers. In portrait on a phone, that makes the top of the grid slightly wider, which is the easiest visual cue that you're on an American table.

Both 0 and 00 are green and count as neither red nor black, odd nor even, high nor low. When either lands, all outside bets lose on a standard American table.

American roulette house edge: the cost of the second zero

American roulette pays exactly the same odds as European: 35 to 1 for a straight-up, 1 to 1 for red or black. But with 38 pockets instead of 37, each bet has slightly less chance of winning. Two pockets out of 38 belong to the house on every outside bet, which gives an edge of 2/38, or 5.26%.

The five-number bet, sometimes called the top line or basket, is the one bet that's worse than the rest: it pays 6 to 1 when fair odds would be closer to 6.6 to 1. On a phone, it's placed by tapping the corner where the zeros meet the first row, and it's easy to place by accident when aiming for a split on 0 and 00. Check the highlighted numbers before you confirm.

American vs single-zero roulette in pounds

The difference between 5.26% and 2.70% sounds small until you work it through a session. These are long-run averages, and actual results swing widely, but the gap is consistent.

Put simply, the same amount of play on an American table costs roughly twice as much on average as on a European table, and four times as much as even-money bets on a French table with la partage. Our European roulette apps and French roulette apps pages explain those versions in full.

How to spot an American roulette table in an app

Lobby names aren't always clear. A table might be called American Roulette, Double Zero, Vegas Roulette or simply Roulette with a US-style theme. These checks take a few seconds:

1. Look at the lobby tile: many show a thumbnail of the grid, and a 00 next to the 0 is the giveaway.
2. Open the table and check the top of the betting grid for two green boxes.
3. Tap the menu or 'i' icon and read the rules: an American table lists 38 numbers and an RTP around 94.74%.
4. Check whether a five-number bet is listed in the payouts; it only exists on double-zero tables.
5. If you meant to play single-zero, go back to the lobby and search for 'European' or 'French'.

Playing American roulette on a phone

Digital American tables work like any other mobile roulette game: a chip rack along the bottom, the grid in the middle, and the wheel either above the grid in portrait or beside it in landscape. Undo, Clear, Rebet and Double buttons sit near the Spin button, and the total stake is shown before you confirm.

• Portrait: the two zeros make the top of the grid crowded on smaller phones. Splits on 0/00 and the five-number corner are close together, so zoom or rotate if your table allows.
• Landscape: the wider layout makes the zero area much easier to tap accurately.
• Racetrack: less common on American tables; where present, remember the wheel order differs from European.
• Live tables: live double-zero roulette is less widespread in UK lobbies than single-zero, but where it runs, the video stream uses far more data. Our live roulette apps page covers live formats.

Why some players still choose double-zero roulette

There are a few understandable reasons people play American roulette despite the cost: familiarity from holidays in the US, a preference for a particular game's graphics or sound, or a table with a low minimum stake that suits a small budget. None of these change the maths. If the only reason is habit, switching to a single-zero table with the same stake roughly halves the average cost of each session.

One practical point: some bets have different coverage. A split on 0 and 00 or the five-number bet only exist on American tables. If you enjoy those, recognise that the five-number bet is the most expensive standard roulette bet in an app.

UK rules for American roulette apps

The statutory per-spin stake caps apply to slots; roulette tables use their own posted limits. Our UK casino app rules page sets out the full framework.

Keeping roulette sessions affordable

A higher house edge means a budget runs out faster on average, which makes limits especially useful at American tables. Set a deposit limit before you play, choose a flat stake, and avoid doubling after losses: the Martingale and similar systems don't overcome a 5.26% edge any more than a 2.70% one. A reality check helps you keep track of time. Our safer gambling hub lists the tools and support, including the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.

Where to play roulette on a UK app

All five of our partners hold UK Gambling Commission licences. The Coral and Ladbrokes app listings mention roulette and live casino, and Casumo's lists live casino; we haven't confirmed which double-zero or single-zero tables each runs, so check the roulette lobby. Welcome offers are slot-based: Coral gives 100 spins and Ladbrokes up to 500 after a £10 slots stake, 10p each with no wagering, and Casumo gives 50% up to £100 on a £20+ first deposit, wagered 10x within 7 days. 18+, terms apply.

18+. Gambling should be entertainment that costs money, not a way to make it. Set a deposit limit before you play: how to set limits. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.