Different Odds to Play Roulette in Europe and the US
Those who play roulette are still in the minority as far as American casino games are concerned. Roulette has one of the smallest followings, with nowhere near the popularity of slot machines, video poker, blackjack or craps. In Europe, on the other hand, roulette draws big crowds at Monte Carlo and other resorts.
The difference is the 00 featured on the American wheel, which is not placed on the French wheel used at European casinos. The bottom line is that American roulette players buck a house edge of 5.26% on all bets but one, which carries a 7.89% house edge, while European players face only a 2.7% edge, which is lowered to 1.4% on even-money bets by a rule called en prison. A few French wheels are used in the US, mostly in high-limit rooms.