How Does Roulette Pay Out?

BetMGM Jun 12, 2026, 11:30 AM
min read
A player placing a roulette bet on the red 18 and red 21 on a roulette table.
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  • Payout value escalates with risk level in roulette.
  • There are many roulette betting systems, but none improve your odds of winning.
  • Roulette payouts reflect probability and the casino’s house edge.

With all the different ways to wager on the game, many people believe there’s substantial complexity to how roulette pays out. However, the basic concepts driving the game’s betting system are actually quite simple.

Like in most online casino games, roulette betting payouts convey information to players: the first being their payout odds if they win, and also their odds of winning. This is because the higher your potential payout, the lower your chance of winning.

When roulette payouts are explained to experienced players and novices, players can use that information to make their decisions about the game. Also, when you understand roulette bet payouts, it’s easier to practice responsible gambling in the game.

Probability Figures Into Roulette Payouts

One of the two primary components of roulette odds and payouts is roulette wheel odds. In this context, that term refers to the probability of the pill (the roulette ball) coming to rest in the desired pocket when the wheel stops spinning.

The roulette wheel and table layout can clue bettors into this probability. As mentioned previously, the basic rule of thumb is that the bigger the potential payout, the less probable the associated result is.

However, roulette wheel payouts rarely, if ever, reflect the actual likelihood of a desired outcome. Winning live dealer games also demands that bettors account for the casino’s interest.

The House Edge Determines Payouts

The return on nearly all winning roulette bets includes the house edge. It’s the difference between the actual probability of an outcome and the stated return on a wager, where the casino makes its money.

The value of the house edge varies based on the type of roulette you’re playing and the wager you make. In American vs European roulette. For example, the house edge tends to be greater in American roulette because of the higher number of possible outcomes.

However, even American roulette offers an array of betting options, with some carrying a higher house edge than others. The roulette table itself acts as a guide in this regard.

Roulette Payouts for Inside and Outside Bets

All roulette bet types have fixed odds, as there’s a set number of ways to make the wager pay off among a finite number of possible outcomes of each play.

On the table, many of the wagers with more valuable payouts are typically roulette inside bets. Inside bet payouts in roulette reflect that these wagers are less likely to hit and lie on the “inside” of the “track” of spots to place your chips on the table.

Appropriately, the contingent of outside bets in roulette corresponds to the spots for your chips on the “outside” of the track. These wagers are comparatively more likely to hit. The outside bet payouts in roulette reflect that likelihood with relatively less value.

Roulette Payout Charts Explained

Many players make use of a roulette payout chart to guide their decisions. These can be very useful in fast-paced casino games like roulette.

A chart that shows American roulette payouts, for example, can show a bettor the possible return on the Five Number wager. Using that information, you can decide whether it fits your comfort level with risk.

Payout charts can also help you in customizing popular betting systems to your preferences. Bettors still need to understand the risks, though. 

Can Roulette Strategies Improve Your Payouts?

Using popular roulette strategies is a great way to plan your bets and stick to your limits. However, there are no guarantees in roulette.

Even when you use the most sophisticated roulette systems and strategies, the element of chance is at the heart of the game. No strategy or system can manipulate the odds of winning any single bet.

It’s up to you to decide which wagers fit your appetite for risk and budget best, whether those choices be call bets in roulette or sticking to betting on black. BetMGM is the ideal place to put your plan into practice.

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Across all of the states where BetMGM Casino is legal, fans of roulette weigh their options and try their luck every day. No other online casino rewards them as BetMGM does.

The perks start with an exclusive casino welcome bonus just for new players. It’s the best way to get familiar with the payouts on all of BetMGM’s roulette titles.

When you register for BetMGM, you’ll get the best odds on roulette and the most diverse menu of games to play. Whether your bets hit or not, BetMGM always pays out the best value in terms of entertainment.