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Electronic and live roulette compared

Electronic roulette lets you bet on a touchscreen. The result comes from a real automated wheel, a live dealer’s wheel shown on screens, or a random number generator with no wheel at all.

Reviewed Oct 15, 2026

Answer first

90s

01The house edge depends on the wheel type, not on whether it is electronic.
02Electronic games often allow $1 or lower minimums.
03Speed varies: some terminals spin faster than a live table, which raises the hourly cost.

Key numbers

Electronic roulette in four numbers

$0.25 to $1Common minimumInside bets

5.26%Double-zero edgeSame as live

2.70%Single-zero edgeSame as live

Up to 100Seats at a stadiumAround one wheel

In short

Key takeaways

Check the zeros: single, double or triple.
Electronic does not mean better or worse odds.
Faster games cost more per hour at the same bet.
Credits are cashed out as a ticket.

On the wheel

Three wheel types you may see

Single zero
37 pockets, 2.70% edge
Double zero
38 pockets, 5.26% edge
Triple zero
Adds a 000 pocket: 39 pockets, 7.69% edge

Every extra zero raises the edge.

Electronic vs live roulette

Feature	Electronic	Live table
Minimum	Often $0.25 to $1	Often $5 to $25
Result from	Auto wheel, live wheel or RNG	Dealer spins
Speed	Varies by game	About 30 to 40 spins an hour
Tipping	None	Common
Payout	Credits	Chips

Rules vary by casino and machine.

Types of electronic roulette

Automated wheels spin a real ball with air jets and need no dealer. Stadium games link many terminals to one live wheel spun by a dealer. RNG roulette uses software to pick numbers, like a slot.

The help screen tells you which kind you are playing.

Hourly cost at $5 a spin

Wheel	Spins per hour	Average loss
Single zero	40	About $5.40
Double zero	40	About $10.52
Double zero	60	About $15.78
Triple zero	40	About $15.38

Faster play and more zeros both raise the cost.

Why casinos add them

Electronic tables need fewer staff and can seat more players per wheel. That lets casinos offer lower minimums, which suits new and casual players.

They are common in states where live roulette is limited or rare.

Sequence

Playing electronic roulette

Step 01
Insert cash or a ticket
Credits appear.
Step 02
Pick a chip value
Tap the chip.
Step 03
Tap your numbers
Inside or outside bets.
Step 04
Wait for the spin
Betting closes first.
Step 05
Cash out
Print a ticket.

Triple-zero wheels

Some Las Vegas tables and machines now use a triple-zero wheel with 0, 00 and 000. The edge on most bets rises to about 7.69%.

If you see three green pockets, look for another game.

Floor rules

Roulette machine terms

Know before you sit

Automated wheel: Real wheel with no dealer.
Stadium game: Many terminals on one wheel.
RNG roulette: Software picks the number.
Credits: Your balance on screen.

Online roulette

Licensed online casinos offer RNG roulette and live dealer roulette streamed from a studio. Live dealer games usually run 40 to 60 spins an hour.

Check the wheel type in the game info before you play.

Which game fits you

If you want	Try
Lowest minimum	Electronic terminal
Lowest edge	Single-zero table
Social game	Live table
Quick learning	Electronic with help screen

All carry a house edge.

Checking a machine before you play

Open the help or rules screen and look for three things: the number of zeros, the minimum and maximum bets, and how long the betting window lasts.

A short window means more spins per hour, so pace yourself if you are on a budget.

Common mistakes

Assuming electronic is rigged: Same edges.
Ignoring the zeros: Count them first.
Playing faster than you planned: Speed adds cost.
Leaving credits behind: Cash out.

Keep reading

Go play

Where to play in Las Vegas

Tap a resort — each row opens that casino’s White Gambling page (hours, game mix, floor facts). Venues with this game in official counts, sorted high to low.

Open a casino page

Real listings · not ads

Browse all Las Vegas casinos →

After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

Is electronic roulette fair?

Licensed machines are tested and approved by state regulators. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Is the ball real?

On automated and stadium games, yes. RNG games have no ball. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Are payouts the same?

Yes, standard bets pay the same. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

02Odds

Which wheel is best?

Single zero, with a 2.70% edge. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

What is a triple-zero wheel?

A wheel with 0, 00 and 000, edge about 7.69%. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Does speed change the edge?

No, but faster play raises hourly cost. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

03Playing

What is the minimum?

Often $1 or less per bet. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Can I tip?

There is no dealer to tip on most machines. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Does it earn comps?

Yes, with your players club card. House rules can vary, so check the table placard or ask the dealer.

Sources

Wizard of Odds — Roulette Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Wheel edges
Wizard of Odds — Roulette basics Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Wheel types and edges
Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER