In fact, the difference is sometimes even larger: some European games use rules that offer players even better odds on even money bets by sometimes returning part or all of their bet if the result of the spin is a zero. The second zero on American roulette wheels nearly doubles that edge, increasing it to 5.26%. On a European wheel, there is just one extra pocket (the single zero), which sets the house edge at 2.70%. These payouts are mathematically designed to be 100% fair for a wheel with 36 pockets any extra pockets give the casino the advantage. The issue comes from the fact that both games offer the same payouts for all bets. Unfortunately, this is universally a bad thing for players, which means that when you have the choice, you’ll probably want to play the European version. The American roulette game differs from its European counterpart in only one notable way: the presence of two zeroes on the wheel instead of just one. How Is American Roulette Different to European Roulette?