Lightning Roulette: Multipliers, Payouts and RTP
Lightning Roulette is a live game from Evolution built on a single-zero European wheel. Before each spin, between one and five “lightning numbers” are drawn at random and given multipliers from 50x to 500x. A straight-up bet on a lightning number that wins is paid at the multiplier instead of the usual rate. To fund those multipliers, ordinary straight-up wins pay 29:1 instead of 35:1. All other bets pay standard roulette odds. The result is a game with the same wheel but a different distribution of wins on straight-ups. This page is part of our roulette guide.
How a Round Works
- Place bets during the betting window, as on any live roulette table.
- After betting closes, the lightning sequence strikes 1 to 5 random numbers and assigns each a multiplier: 50x, 100x, 200x, 300x, 400x or 500x.
- The dealer spins the ball.
- If the ball lands on a lightning number, straight-up bets on it are paid at the multiplier. Other straight-up wins pay 29:1. All other bet types are paid normally.
Payout Table
| Bet | Lightning Roulette | Standard European |
|---|---|---|
| Straight up, number not struck | 29:1 | 35:1 |
| Straight up, lightning number | 50:1 to 500:1 | 35:1 |
| Split | 17:1 | 17:1 |
| Street | 11:1 | 11:1 |
| Corner | 8:1 | 8:1 |
| Six line | 5:1 | 5:1 |
| Dozen / column | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Even-money | 1:1 | 1:1 |
Splits, streets and other inside bets do not receive multipliers. Only straight-up bets on the struck number do.
What It Means for the House Edge
Bets other than straight-ups pay standard odds on a 37-pocket wheel, so their RTP is 97.30% (house edge 2.70%), as on any European table.
For straight-ups, the provider’s game rules list a theoretical RTP slightly below that, commonly reported as 97.10%. Check the help screen at your casino, because the published figure is the authoritative one for the version you play. Whatever the exact figure, the structure is clear:
- Most straight-up wins pay 29:1, which is about 17% less than the standard 35:1.
- The shortfall is returned only through occasional lightning hits.
- The average return is close to standard roulette, but the variance of straight-up bets is much higher.
Example: A$1 straight up on 17
| Outcome | Return (including stake) |
|---|---|
| 17 wins, not struck | A$30 |
| 17 wins, struck at 50x | A$51 |
| 17 wins, struck at 500x | A$501 |
| 17 loses | A$0 |
On a standard European table the same win always returns A$36.
Variance and Session Results
Because ordinary straight-up wins pay less, a player who bets only straight-ups loses faster than on a standard table during sessions without lightning hits, and recovers through rare large multipliers. Over 100 spins a single chosen number is expected to win about 2.7 times; most sessions contain no multiplied win on that number. If you prefer steady results, outside bets on Lightning Roulette behave exactly like a normal European table. If you play straight-ups, size the stakes for long dry runs: our inside vs outside bets page lists the probabilities.
Session Example: 100 Spins at A$1 Straight Up
| Item | Standard European | Lightning (no multiplied hit) |
|---|---|---|
| Total staked | A$100 | A$100 |
| Expected number of wins | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| Return per win | A$36 | A$30 |
| Expected total returned | about A$97.30 | about A$81.10 |
| Expected result | about −A$2.70 | about −A$18.90 |
The roughly A$16 gap is what the multipliers must win back on average. In sessions where your number is struck and wins even once at 50x or more, the result is far ahead of a standard table; in sessions without that, it is well behind. This is the trade-off the game is designed around: lower ordinary payouts in exchange for a small chance of a large one.
Common Misconceptions
| Belief | Fact |
|---|---|
| “Lightning numbers are more likely to win” | Every number has the same 1/37 chance. Lightning only changes the payout. |
| “Recent lightning numbers repeat” | Lightning numbers and multipliers are drawn at random for each round. |
| “Covering many numbers catches multipliers” | Each straight-up pays 29:1 normally; covering more numbers increases the stake, not the edge. |
| “Splits get multipliers if one number is struck” | No. Only straight-up bets receive multipliers. |
Similar reasoning applies to all multiplier games; see gambler’s fallacy.
Related Multiplier Games
Evolution and other studios run several variants: XXXtreme Lightning Roulette (higher maximum multipliers and chained lightning), Lightning games in other categories such as baccarat and blackjack, and multiplier roulette from other providers such as Pragmatic Play’s Mega Roulette. Each has its own payout table and RTP; read the help screen before playing. Other Evolution game shows are covered in the Evolution games guide and the Crazy Time guide.
Lightning Roulette vs Standard Live Roulette
| Factor | Lightning Roulette | Standard European live |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel | Single zero | Single zero |
| Straight-up payout | 29:1 or 50–500:1 | 35:1 |
| Other bets | Standard | Standard |
| RTP, non-straight bets | 97.30% | 97.30% |
| RTP, straight-ups | Slightly lower (provider figure) | 97.30% |
| La Partage | No | Only on French tables |
| Volatility of straight-ups | Very high | High |
For the lowest edge on even-money bets, a French table with La Partage (1.35%) costs less than either; see French roulette. Live formats are compared on the live roulette page, and casinos with Evolution tables on our Evolution casinos list.
Bonus and Wagering Notes
Lightning Roulette is a live game and usually contributes 0%–10% to bonus wagering. Some bonus terms exclude it entirely. Check game weighting before playing with bonus funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
29:1 if the number is not struck by lightning, and between 50:1 and 500:1 if it is.
Outside and non-straight inside bets return 97.30%, as on a standard European wheel. Straight-ups are listed slightly lower, commonly reported as 97.10%. Check the help screen for your version.
Between one and five, each with a random multiplier of 50x, 100x, 200x, 300x, 400x or 500x.
No. Only straight-up bets on a struck number are paid at the multiplier.
Not on cost. Non-straight bets have the same edge; straight-ups have similar or slightly higher cost and much higher variance.
18+ only. Gambling Help Online offers free support on 1800 858 858.