The question comes up every day in one form or another: Do you actually stand a better chance of winning in an online casino compared to a traditional one? Players want the edge. Or at least, the best odds possible. And while the quick answer is “it depends,” the long answer is far more interesting—and it starts with how online casinos are built.
Let’s break it down.
House Edge Doesn’t Disappear—But It Does Shift
All casino games are built around a house edge. That’s not a glitch or a trick—it’s simply how casinos make a profit over time. Whether you’re betting at a table in Vegas or spinning reels from your couch, the math still favors the house. The difference? Online platforms have more freedom to lower that edge.
Physical casinos have overhead. Think staff, security, drinks, real estate, electric bills. All of that has to be paid for. That means the games offered inside tend to have slightly worse odds than you’ll find online. Slot machines in a land-based casino might return 85 to 90 percent. Online? That number can easily push past 96 percent.
That’s not a typo. The return-to-player rate (RTP) of 96 percent means that over the long run, players get back €96 for every €100 bet. Of course, individual outcomes vary wildly—but over time, those few percentage points make a real difference.
Game Variety Means Player Choice
Another key advantage of online casinos is volume. Instead of five blackjack tables and a dozen slots, you’re choosing from hundreds—sometimes thousands—of game variations like on betway. And with that comes variety in odds.
Let’s say you love roulette. In the traditional brick and mortar casino, you’ll often find American Roulette, which includes both a zero and double zero on the wheel that is making the house edge about 5.26 percent. Online, you’re more likely to encounter European Roulette, which has just one zero and brings the house edge down to 2.7 percent. Same game. Better odds. More chances to win.
And that’s true across the board. Blackjack games online often use fewer decks or offer rules that slightly favor the player. Baccarat, video poker, even specialty games—when you have more options, you can choose games with lower edges and smarter payout structures.
Bonuses Can Tip the Scale
This is something you won’t find in your average built casino: the bonus system. Online platforms offer deposit matches, free spins, loyalty points, and even cashback. These options give you more value for your money and lure you in. Of course, these offers come with terms, like wagering requirements, but for players that can utilize that, they can be a powerful tool.
Imagine walking into a casino and being handed a sum of money to begin with. That’s effectively what online welcome bonuses are. Used wisely, they extend your gameplay and increase your number of bets—which, in turn, increases your chance of hitting a win.
Just be sure to read the fine print. A bonus with heavy restrictions won’t help if you can’t ever withdraw the winnings.
Transparency and Information Access
Online casinos also provide something that can be hard to come by at a physical table: data. You can view the RTP of every slot game, read the exact rules of a blackjack variant, or compare odds in a matter of seconds. This transparency allows players to make more informed decisions.
There’s also the ability to test games in demo mode—no money required. That kind of risk-free trial doesn’t exist in a traditional casino.
So, Are the Odds Better?
In many ways, yes. Online casinos offer higher RTPs, more favorable game variants, and bonuses that boost your bankroll. But remember—better odds don’t guarantee a win. They simply improve your long-term chances. If you play casino games as they should be – as entertainment with a side of possibility, not a source of income, you’ll probably enjoy the experience more and make smarter choices along the way. And that, in the end, is what gives you the real edge.