House edge is the automatic advantage that the house has over players in any game. If you’re wondering what house edge is in casino games, it’s usually a percentage representing how much of each wager the casino aims to keep.
Quick example, if a slot game has a house edge of 5%, the casino will keep $5 for every $100 wagered on average, over all of the spins. While you might win a jackpot or not, in the long run, that 5% is how the game is designed to favour the casino. Here’s more on how house edges work.
Quick facts about house edge
- House edge is the percentage a casino keeps from every wager
- Specific house edge percentages vary by game
- House edge is the direct opposite of Return to Player (RTP)
- House edge percentages don’t necessarily mean you’ll lose money to the casino
- In some games like blackjack or video poker, your decisions can actually reduce the house edge
Average house edge in popular casino games
While you might be confused as to what the house edge on some of your favorite casino games are, here’s a table showing the typical house edge for some popular games. However, it is important to note that exact percentages can vary based on the rules, your strategy, or even which casino you’re playing at.
| Game | Average house edge |
| Blackjack (basic strategy) | 0.5% – 1% |
| Baccarat (Banker bet) | 1.06% |
| Craps (Pass Line bet) | 1.41% |
| Roulette (American) | 5.26% |
| Slots (varies widely) | 4% – 10% |
| Keno | 25% – 29% |
Based on house edges, some games are more player-friendly than others. This is where knowing what house edge is in gambling and understanding exactly
how casinos pay out winnings
becomes useful.
Our unbeatable casinos in 2025
Pros and cons of casino house edges
After reading about game-specific house edges and spending loads of time understanding what house edges mean in casino betting, I realized that, like most things, there are two sides to every coin. The house edge offers benefits for both players and the casino, as well as drawbacks. Here are some of them.
Advantages
- The house edge helps you make informed choices
- Lower house edge means longer gameplay on the same bankroll
- Skill can reduce house edge in games like blackjack and video poker
Disadvantages
- Specific house edge is usually hard to spot
Why house edge isn’t a scam
It’s common to find the concept of house edges questionable at first. However, casinos are not charities; they need to generate profit to remain operational. What can make house edges seem deceptive is how often the house edge percentage is not obvious while you’re playing, as I observed when I was learning
how to play baccarat.
When you’re spinning reels, rolling dice, or just watching that roulette wheel go round, you’re focused on the fun, not the math behind it. But every single bet contributes to the house edge. That’s why understanding what the house edge is in casino gaming isn’t just smart, it’s necessary if you want to play with a clear head and make the most of your games.
How to use casino house edges to your advantage
Now that we’ve unpacked what is house edge in casino games, how can you use that info to make better decisions? I compiled a quick guide based on my extensive testing of casino games.
🎲 Pick Games with a Lower House Edge
To actually make the most of your successful wagers, it’s best to pick the games with a lower house edge percentage. Through testing out casino games, I’ll recommend games like blackjack, baccarat (banker bet), and craps (pass line).
📘 Learn Some Basic Strategy
Some people just make wagers based on chances. However, for games like blackjack, a little knowledge about what house edge is and how to make the right wagers can do as much as cut the house edge in half. I usually use
casinos with no minimum deposit
so I can gauge my wagers on each game.
Conclusion – Play better by using the house edge for your benefit
Before I understood what house edge was in casino setups, I just made mindless wagers. But once I got the concept, it completely changed how I played. I stopped wasting time on games with super high house edges and started focusing on games where I could actually stretch my gameplay with my budget.
The best online casino bonuses
1.
Our Exclusive Deal:
125 SC
+ 625K GC
2.
Unlock 560K Gold Coins
+
56 SC
Wagering (WR): 3x
3.
Our Exclusive Deal:
105 SC
+ 500K GC
4.
Get 80K Gold Coins
for free +
40 SC
5.
Exclusive 100K Gold Coins +
30 SC
What is house edge in casino betting FAQs
🎲 Can I beat the house edge?
While you can definitely play and win considerably in games, you can’t beat the house edge in the long run.
🏢 Does the house edge apply to all casinos?
Definitely. For all real money casinos, there are game and casino-specific house edges with slight differences. The same rules apply, even if the interface and site operations are different.
🔍 How do I know a game’s house edge?
You can often find it with a quick search or by checking out guides from trusted sites. Some online games even display RTP (Return to Player), which is the opposite of the house edge.
