The house advantage, also known as the house edge, is the mathematical advantage that casinos have over players in any given game. It is the average profit that the casino expects to make from each game, expressed as a percentage of the player’s bet. The house edge is built into the rules of each game, ensuring that the casino remains profitable over the long term.
The house edge is a built-in statistical advantage, not a result of cheating or rigging, that ensures the casino’s long-term profitability. It’s the inverse of the Return to Player (RTP), which is the percentage players can expect to win back. For instance, a 5% house edge means the casino anticipates keeping £5 for every £100 wagered. Similarly, a game with a 4% edge suggests players will lose an average of £4 per £100 bet over time.
The longer a player engages with a game, the more likely their results will align with the established house edge, meaning they are statistically likely to lose money. The house edge isn’t fixed across all games; it varies based on the specific game and can even fluctuate between different casinos or regions.
Players can improve their odds by selecting games with a lower house edge. While some skill-based games might allow experienced players to slightly increase their chances of winning, the house will still retain an advantage.