Live Game Shows Like Crazy Time: How High Is the House Edge?
Money wheels, bonus games and multipliers: what lies behind live game shows and why the payout rate varies strongly by segment.
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Live game shows mix a money wheel, TV show and casino. Hosts, music and multipliers create excitement. Mathematically they work like any other casino game: with a fixed house edge.
How the shows work. Usually a large wheel with number and bonus segments spins. You bet on a segment. Bonus rounds add multipliers, but these are already priced into the payout rate.
Different rates per segment. Unlike roulette, many game shows have a separate house edge per segment. According to the provider, Crazy Time payout rates range roughly from 94 % to 96 % depending on the segment.
Lightning Roulette for comparison. The provider states a payout rate of about 97.3 %. Straight numbers pay only 29:1 instead of 35:1, in exchange for random multipliers.
High variance. Big multipliers are rare. Most rounds end in small wins or losses. That causes strong swings and can drain a budget quickly.
The multiplier myth. There is no pattern for when a big multiplier is due. Each round is independent. Stats trackers showing recent results say nothing about the next round.
Bottom line. Live game shows are entertainment with a house edge of about 3 to 6 % depending on the segment. Check payout rates in the game info and set a fixed budget.