The payout for a column bet in roulette, where a player wagers on one of the three vertical columns of numbers on the betting layout, is 2 to 1. If the ball lands on any number within the selected column, the player receives twice their original bet in winnings, plus the return of their initial wager. This payout reflects the column bet's moderate risk, as it covers 12 numbers, giving players a higher chance of winning compared to single-number bets while offering a relatively substantial reward.