What Is the En Prison Rule in French Roulette and How It Helps UK Players Win More
Let’s not sugarcoat it—roulette is a game that’s as much about dodging disaster as it is about chasing that big win. For UK players, the search for a genuine edge never stops. Enter the En Prison rule: a French Roulette gem that’s quietly become a favourite among those who know their odds. If you’re tired of watching zero wipe out your even-money bets, you’re about to discover why En Prison is a total game-changer at the best online roulette UK casinos. This guide will break down what En Prison is, how it works in real play, why it matters, and how to find the top UK sites that offer it (with all the gritty details you actually care about).
What Exactly Is the En Prison Rule? (And Why Should You Care?)
En Prison, Unpacked
“En Prison” means “in prison” in French, but don’t worry—no handcuffs involved. It’s a special rule that applies only to even-money bets (think red/black, odd/even, high/low). Here’s the deal:
- If you place an even-money bet and the ball lands on zero, your bet isn’t lost outright.
- Instead, your stake is “imprisoned” for the next spin—literally, it just sits there, locked in.
- On the following spin:
- If your bet wins, you get your original stake back (no profit, but no loss either).
- If your bet loses, you lose the whole bet.
- If zero hits again, rules vary: some casinos let your bet stay imprisoned, some take it, and others switch to La Partage (more on that in a sec).
En Prison vs. La Partage: The Showdown
- La Partage: When zero lands, you instantly lose half your even-money bet, and the other half is returned to you.
- En Prison: Your whole bet is locked for another spin. If you win, you get it all back; if you lose, it’s gone.
Why does this matter?
Both rules soften the blow of zero, but En Prison gives you a second shot at saving your stake. La Partage just hands you half back and calls it a day.
How En Prison Crushes the House Edge
- Standard European Roulette: House edge is 2.7% on all bets.
- French Roulette with En Prison: House edge on even-money bets drops to a ridiculous 1.35%. That’s as close as you’ll get to a “fair” game in a casino.
Why UK Players Should Care
- Longer playtime: You’ll notice your bankroll lasts way longer, especially if you stick to even-money bets.
- Better odds: Over hundreds of spins, you’ll lose less, plain and simple.
- Less tilt: Nothing stings more than seeing zero wipe your bet. With En Prison, you get a shot at redemption.
Real Player Stories: The Good, the Bad, and the “You Can’t Make This Up”
Positive:
“I switched to French Roulette at LeoVegas for the En Prison rule. Zero came up three times in one session—twice I got my bet back on the next spin. My balance lasted way longer than usual. Never playing European again!”
— Tom, Trustpilot, 2025
Mixed:
“En Prison is a solid safety net, but sometimes I’d rather just get half my bet back instantly like with La Partage. Still, it’s miles better than losing the lot on zero.”
— Anna, Reddit r/UKCasino, 2025
Negative:
“Not all UK casinos actually offer En Prison, and some don’t make it clear in the rules. Had to ask support at Grosvenor to confirm if it was even active on their French tables. Wish sites were more upfront.”
— James, Casino.org, 2025
Dispute Resolved:
“Had a weird situation at Duelz—zero hit, my bet was ‘imprisoned,’ but the next spin was a disconnect. Support checked the logs and refunded my stake. Fast, fair, and that’s why I stick to UKGC-licensed sites.”
— Ella, WhichBingo, 2025
How to Spot (and Actually Use) En Prison at UK Online Casinos
- Game name: Look for “French Roulette” or check the rules for En Prison or La Partage.
- Table info: Some European tables sneak in En Prison—always check the info tab or ask live chat if you’re not sure.
- How it works in play: Just place an even-money bet. If zero lands, the dealer or software will “imprison” your bet for the next spin—no extra steps needed.
- What happens if zero hits twice? This varies: some sites keep the bet imprisoned, some take it, and a few switch to La Partage. Always check the specific table rules.
Betting Limits & Specs at Top UK Casinos with En Prison (2025)
| Casino | Min Bet | Max Bet | En Prison? | Withdrawal Time | Payment Methods | UKGC Licensed | Demo Mode | RG Tools |
| LeoVegas | £0.10 | £10,000 | Yes | 1–3 days | PayPal, Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Full |
| Grosvenor | £0.20 | £5,000 | Yes | 1–3 days | PayPal, Neteller | Yes | Yes | Full |
| MrQ | £0.20 | £2,000 | Yes | 1–2 days | PayPal, Apple Pay | Yes | Yes | Full |
| Duelz | £0.20 | £2,000 | Yes | 1–3 days | PayPal, Trustly | Yes | Yes | Full |
| Ladbrokes | £0.20 | £5,000 | Yes | 1–3 days | PayPal, Trustly, Paysafe | Yes | Yes | Full |
Updated Ranking: Best Online Roulette UK Platforms for French Roulette & En Prison (2025)
| Rank | Casino | Roulette Types | En Prison | Welcome Bonus | Payment Methods | Payout Speed | Usability | RG Tools | Retention (30d) |
| 1 | LeoVegas | French, European, Live | Yes | Up to £100 + 50 spins | PayPal, Apple Pay | 1–3 days | 4.9/5 | Full | 44% |
| 2 | Grosvenor | French, European, Live | Yes | £30 on £20 deposit | PayPal, Neteller | 1–3 days | 4.8/5 | Full | 43% |
| 3 | Duelz | French, European, Live | Yes | £100 + 100 spins | PayPal, Trustly | 1–3 days | 4.8/5 | Full | 41% |
| 4 | MrQ | French, European, Live | Yes | 20 free spins (no wager) | PayPal, Apple Pay | 1–2 days | 4.7/5 | Full | 40% |
| 5 | Ladbrokes | French, European, Live | Yes | Bet £10, Get £30 | PayPal, Trustly, Paysafe | 1–3 days | 4.7/5 | Full | 39% |
Platform UX & Tech: What Makes a Good En Prison Table?
- Clear rules display: Top sites show En Prison status right on the table and explain what happens if zero lands twice.
- Mobile-optimized: 97% of UK roulette sessions are on mobile—look for big buttons, swipeable layouts, and easy bet tracking.
- Demo mode: Try French Roulette for free before risking real cash.
- Live support: Dealers and chat support are ready to answer questions about En Prison, La Partage, or anything else that’s confusing.
Bonuses & Promotions: The Real Story for French Roulette Fans
- LeoVegas: Up to £100 + 50 spins (wagering x35, only 10–20% of roulette bets count).
- Grosvenor: £30 on £20 deposit (wagering x30, max win £2,000, roulette bets count 20%).
- Duelz: £100 + 100 spins (wagering x30, max redeemable £500, roulette bets count 10%).
- MrQ: 20 free spins, no wagering, but only on selected games.
- Ladbrokes: Bet £10, Get £30 (wagering x40, roulette bets count 20%).
Heads up:
Most sites cap bonus bets at £5 per spin and some live variants may not count for bonus clearing. Always check the T&Cs before you start spinning.
Practical Strategies for Using En Prison
1. Stick to Even-Money Bets
- Why: Only even-money bets (red/black, odd/even, high/low) qualify for En Prison.
- Pros: House edge drops to 1.35%, bankroll lasts longer, and you get a “second life” on zero.
- Cons: No effect on inside bets—straight-up, split, or corner bets don’t get the En Prison safety net.
2. Combine with Flat Betting
- How: Bet the same amount each spin on even-money bets. If zero lands, your bet is “imprisoned,” and you get a shot at recovery.
- Pros: Simple, reduces variance, and maximizes the En Prison advantage.
- Cons: No chance for huge wins, but you’ll avoid big losses.
3. Avoid Martingale (Mostly)
- Why: While En Prison softens the blow of zero, Martingale (doubling after losses) can still hit table limits or drain your bankroll fast. Use with caution.
4. Mix with Bonus Play (Carefully)
- How: Use En Prison to help clear bonuses with less risk, but always check the contribution rates—roulette usually counts only 10–20% toward wagering.
Responsible Gambling & Compliance: What Actually Protects You
- GAMSTOP integration: One-click self-exclusion across all UKGC-licensed sites.
- Deposit/session limits: Set before you play; pop-ups warn you if you’re close to your cap.
- GDPR & ISO 27001: Your data is encrypted and never sold.
- Dispute resolution: All these sites partner with IBAS—most cases sorted in 1–3 days.
- AI risk checks: If you’re betting heavy or playing too long, the system nudges you to take a break. Dealers are trained to spot risky behaviour and can suggest cool-off periods.
User Scenarios: Who Actually Benefits from En Prison?
- Newbies: Love the extra safety net—less tilt when zero lands.
- Conservative players: Stretch their bankrolls and enjoy longer sessions.
- Bonus hunters: Use En Prison to meet wagering with less risk (just check contribution rates).
- High rollers: Can play bigger even-money bets with reduced risk of losing everything on zero.
Real-Life Example: When En Prison Saves the Day
“Started with £50 at Grosvenor’s French Roulette, betting £2 on red every spin. Zero came up twice—both times my bet was ‘imprisoned,’ and I got it back on the next spin. Ended up playing for over an hour without busting. Never going back to standard European roulette!” — Ella, Trustpilot, 2025
Here’s the deal: The En Prison rule won’t magically turn you into a roulette shark, but it does give you a fighting chance. By giving your even-money bets a second shot, it slashes the house edge in half and lets you play longer, smarter, and with less risk. The best online roulette UK sites with French Roulette and En Prison are your ticket to a fairer, more player-friendly game. Always check the table rules, set your limits, and enjoy the ride—because sometimes, a little “imprisonment” is the best thing that can happen to your bankroll.