For example, a straight bet in roulette has a 35-1 payout and hits less frequently. The software providers who develop these games use different risk & reward ratios, which determine the frequency and size of wins a player can expect. The volatility in casino games varies, with low, medium, and highly volatile slot machines. The word volatile relates to something subject to unexpected or fast changes.
These terms both refer to the same thing. When you start playing casino games, you may encounter volatility or variance.