Key takeaways
- Slots: around 4%; from about 2% to 10%.
- Roulette: 2.70% on a single-zero wheel.
- Cheaper per pound staked: roulette.
- Cheaper per hour at typical stakes: roulette.
AnswerRoulette has the lower edge and the slower pace. Slots have small stakes, features and enormous variety.
Side by side
| Line | Slots | Roulette |
|---|---|---|
| House edge | Around 4%; from about 2% to 10% | 2.70% on a single-zero wheel |
| RTP | About 96% | 97.30% |
| Skill | No | No |
| Rounds an hour | About 600 | About 40 |
| Volatility | Low to very high | Low to high, by bet |
| Best bet | A slot whose help screen shows 96% or more | Even-money bets on a French wheel |
| Avoid | Low-RTP versions of popular slots | Anything on a double-zero wheel |
| Bonus contribution | 100% | 0% to 20% |
An hour of each
| Game | Stake | Rounds | Staked | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slots | £0.2 | 600 | £120 | £4.8 |
| Roulette | £1 | 40 | £40 | £1.08 |
Typical stakes and pace. A long-run average.
£100 staked
On slots, £100 of stakes costs £4 on average. On roulette, £2.7.
In practice
Six hundred spins of a 20p slot is £120 staked and about £4.80 of average cost in an hour. Forty £1 roulette spins is £40 staked and about £1.08. Slots feel cheaper because each stake is small; roulette is cheaper because it is slow.
How they feel
Spinning reels decided by a random number generator. The simplest casino game, the fastest, and the one whose price varies most.
A ball, a wheel and a table of bets. Which wheel you play matters far more than how you bet.
Verdict
Choose slots if
you want variety, features and small stakes.
Choose roulette if
you want simplicity and a choice of bets.
Full guides
Slots and Roulette. Any pair: comparison tool.
More comparisons: Slots vs blackjack, Craps vs roulette and Blackjack vs roulette.
Elsewhere on the site: Worst casino bets, Games and bonuses, Video poker strategy, Casino games for small budgets and No commission baccarat UK.
House edges and RTPs are standard published figures for common rules, and are long-run averages. Offer terms dated 5 October 2026. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.
Frequently asked questions
Is slots or roulette better?
Roulette has the lower edge and the slower pace.
Which has the lower house edge?
Roulette.
Which is cheaper per hour?
Roulette, at typical stakes.
Which needs skill?
Neither.